Boehringer Ingelheim has re-evaluated its strategy in hepatitis C (HCV), and as a result the company has decided not to move forward in this therapeutic area. The HCV treatment environment has significantly and rapidly evolved since the submission of the faldaprevir marketing applications to regulatory bodies around the world.

Pfizer Inc. has announced the election of James C. Smith to its Board of Directors, effective immediately. Mr. Smith also was appointed to the Corporate Governance and Science and Technology Committees of Pfizer's Board.

Abbott (NYSE: ABT) has announced a definitive agreement to acquire Veropharm, a leading Russian pharmaceutical manufacturer. Under the terms of the agreement, Abbott will acquire Limited Liability Company Garden Hills, the holding company that currently owns a controlling interest in Veropharm, for between 13.6 billion rubles and 17 billion rubles (or a range of approximately $395 million to $495 million U.S. dollars) depending on Garden Hills' share ownership of Veropharm at time of close.

Sanofi (EURONEXT: SAN and NYSE: SNY) and Medtronic, Inc. (NYSE: MDT) have signed a memorandum of understanding to enter into a global strategic alliance in diabetes, aimed at improving patient experience and outcomes for people with diabetes around the world.

Roche employees at more than 120 company sites around the world have been showing their solidarity with children in need by raising funds through sponsored walks. The donations will be used to support day-care centers for orphans and educational initiatives in Malawi, as well as children's charities in their own countries.

Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) and Cellectis (Paris:ALCLS) have entered into a global strategic collaboration to develop Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell (CAR-T) immunotherapies in the field of oncology directed at select targets.

Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) has announced the opening of a new 280,000 square-foot Research and Development (R&D) hub in Cambridge, Mass. The new Pfizer facilities in Kendall Square bring together 1,000 colleagues from three area locations and position Pfizer in closer proximity to leading academic institutions, hospitals and patient organizations.