Amgen (NASDAQ:AMGN) and Merck, known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, announced today that they have entered into an agreement through a subsidiary to evaluate the safety and efficacy of talimogene laherparepvec, an investigational oncolytic immunotherapy, combined with MK-3475, an investigational anti-PD-1 immunotherapy, in a Phase 1b/2 study of patients with mid- to late-stage melanoma.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY) today announced that it has completed the previously announced sale of its global diabetes business to AstraZeneca. Bristol-Myers Squibb received from AstraZeneca a payment of approximately $2.7 billion in connection with the closing, and will receive by mid-February, a $0.6 billion milestone payment from the recent U.S. approval of Farxiga (dapagliflozin).

Roche's Group sales rose 6% to 46.8 billion Swiss francs in 2013 as a result of strong demand for Roche's biologic medicines in the area of oncology, immunology and ophthalmology as well as for its clinical laboratory diagnostic products, especially immunoassays. This sales performance contributed significantly to an 8% increase in the Group's core operating profit and, combined with lower financing costs, a 10% rise in core earnings per share. IFRS net income rose 22% to 11.4 billion Swiss francs as a result of lower restructuring costs and the reversal of previous impairment charges.

UCB and Biogen Idec today announced that they have signed exclusive agreements granting UCB the right to commercialize Biogen Idec products in South Korea, Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and Taiwan, and both develop and commercialize products in China.

Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) reported financial results for fourth-quarter and full-year 2013. As a result of the full disposition of Zoetis on June 24, 2013, the financial results of the Animal Health business are reported as a discontinued operation in the consolidated statements of income for full-year 2013, and fourth-quarter and full-year 2012.

Novartis has been named among the 2014 Corporate Knights Global 100. Corporate Knights announced the results of its 2014 Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World (Global 100) index at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY) has reported results for the fourth quarter and full year of 2013. The fourth quarter was highlighted by the company's announcement to sell its diabetes business as part of the continued evolution of its successful BioPharma strategy to a specialty care model.