AstraZeneca announced that MedImmune, its global biologics research and development arm, has entered into a clinical study collaboration with biopharmaceutical company Incyte Corporation. The Phase I/II oncology study will evaluate the efficacy and safety of MedImmune's investigational anti-PD-L1 immune checkpoint inhibitor, MEDI4736, in combination with Incyte's oral indoleamine dioxygenase-1 (IDO1) inhibitor, INCB24360.

In order to add to scientific and medical progress, Boehringer Ingelheim is engaged in a program to make clinical study data and other clinical study related documents more widely accessible for approved products or after termination of a drug development program.

Bayer HealthCare will start sharing data from its clinical studies through the internet portal http://www.clinicalstudydatarequest.com. From now on, qualified researchers can request anonymized patient-level data from Bayer HealthCare sponsored clinical studies listed on the website. By joining the portal, Bayer HealthCare is supporting efforts of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) to increase the transparency of data from clinical studies.

Pfizer wishes to enter into discussions with AstraZeneca regarding a potential combination of the two companies and is "disappointed at the lack of engagement by the AstraZeneca Board". The Board of AstraZeneca notes the announcement made by Pfizer and states that the "announcement contains no new proposal nor substantive new information."

Today Novartis associates across 55 countries are engaging in local volunteer efforts to support their communities in celebration of the company's annual Community Partnership Day (CPD). This year marks the 18th Community Partnership Day commemorating the 1996 creation of Novartis as a global leader in healthcare. There is strong participation from all Novartis divisions in 2014.

Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) reported financial results for first-quarter 2014. At the beginning of fiscal year 2014, the company began managing its commercial operations through a new global commercial structure consisting of three operating segments: the Global Innovative Pharmaceutical segment (GIP); the Global Vaccines, Oncology and Consumer Healthcare segment (VOC); and the Global Established Pharmaceutical segment (GEP).

The Board of AstraZeneca PLC has met and considered the letter from Pfizer Inc. The board said it has "no hesitation in rejecting the proposal", which it believed "inadequate, substantially undervalue" the company.