Novartis has announced the launch of a USD 5 billion share buyback, reflecting the company's confidence in its long-term growth prospects, as well as its commitment to deliver strong shareholder returns. The buyback will start immediately and be executed over two years on the 2nd trading line.

GlaxoSmithKline plc (LSE/NYSE: GSK) announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved its pandemic Influenza A (H5N1) Virus Monovalent Vaccine, Adjuvanted (also referred to as Q-Pan H5N1 influenza vaccine) for the immunisation of adults 18 and older for the prevention of disease caused by the influenza A virus H5N1 subtype contained in the vaccine.

Pfizer Inc. has entered into an agreement with GSK to explore the anti-cancer efficacy and the safety of GSK's trametinib (GSK1120212) combined with Pfizer's palbociclib (PD-0332991) in a Phase I/II study (Study 200344) in patients with advanced/metastatic melanoma.

Advances in cancer therapy are expected in the next years thanks in particular to treatment using antibody-drug conjugates and multi-kinase inhibitors. This is the finding from a TNS Emnid survey of medical experts at the "Science For A Better Life" symposium organized by Bayer. This event saw 380 scientists from 14 countries come together at the Bayer Kasino in Leverkusen in November.

A simple low-cost device that helps newborn babies to breathe and has the potential to transform the life chances for thousands of African babies has been awarded the highest fund in the first GSK and Save the Children $1 million Healthcare Innovation Award.

The Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation has marked World Diabetes Day and the third anniversary of its Together on Diabetes initiative by announcing four new grants focusing on the important link between type 2 diabetes, depression and distress. Together on Diabetes also issued its third annual report.

In honor of World Diabetes Day, Abbott has created an interactive infographic to help raise awareness about what life can be like for an insulin-using patient who has diabetes. Approximately 26 percent of the 18.8 million Americans diagnosed with diabetes follow an insulin regimen recommended by their healthcare provider in order to manage their condition.