Novartis Group net sales increased 2% (+2% cc) to USD 14.6 billion in the second quarter. Growth products contributed USD 4.7 billion or 32% of Group net sales, up 18% (USD) over the prior-year quarter. Group operating income increased 6% (+11% cc) to USD 3.1 billion. Currency had a negative impact of 5 percentage points, primarily due to the stronger Swiss franc and weakening of emerging market currencies, partly offset by a stronger euro.

Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) and InnoPharma, Inc., a privately held pharmaceutical development company, today announced that they have entered into an agreement under which Pfizer will acquire InnoPharma.

Novartis announced that its eye care division Alcon has entered into an agreement with a division of Google Inc. to in-license its "smart lens" technology for all ocular medical uses. The agreement with Google[x], a team within Google that is devoted to finding new solutions to big global problems,

Abbott (NYSE: ABT) announced today that it will sell its developed markets branded generics pharmaceuticals business to Mylan for equity ownership of a newly formed entity that will combine Mylan's existing business and Abbott's developed markets pharmaceuticals business, and will be a publicly traded company.

CliniWorks announced a strategic alliance between its Israeli subsidiary CliniWorks (Israel) Ltd. ("CliniWorks Israel") and Pfizer Inc. ("Pfizer") to jointly advance the parties' respective capabilities in working with healthcare provider organizations to identify and close clinical or quality gaps to improve population health.

Merck Serono, the biopharmaceutical division of Merck, has announced the launch of Merck Global Grants - a program that underscores the company's commitment to funding scientific innovation and independent medical education around the world. The initiative encompasses Merck Serono's complete grants portfolio, including the Grants for Innovation in Research and Grants for Independent Medical Education.

AstraZeneca today announced an agreement with the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology (MPI), Germany, to establish a 'satellite unit' in cardiovascular and metabolic disease (CVMD), linked to AstraZeneca's CVMD Innovative Medicines unit (iMed) in Mölndal, Sweden, to study new modalities chemistry.