AstraZeneca announced that MedImmune, its global biologics research and development arm, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Amplimmune, a privately-held, Maryland, US-based biologics company focused on developing novel therapeutics in cancer immunology.

Novartis today announced that it has entered into an exclusive global licensing and research collaboration agreement with Regenerex LLC, a biopharmaceutical company based in Louisville, Kentucky, for use of the company's novel Facilitating Cell Therapy (FCRx) platform. The hematopoietic stem cell-based FCRx platform has been investigated in kidney transplantation to induce stable immunological tolerance, resulting in graft survival without the need for lifelong immunosuppression.

Boehringer Ingelheim announces new milestones for the novel oral anticoagulant Pradaxa® (dabigatran etexilate) with over two million patient-years of experience in all licensed indications globally.(1) In addition, the company confirms research currently underway for Pradaxa® in new cardiovascular patient populations, as well as robust plans to gather real-world evidence in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF).

AstraZeneca (NYSE: AZN) and Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE: BMY) today announced the full results of the SAVOR clinical trial in 16,492 adult patients with type 2 diabetes at high risk for cardiovascular events. In this study, Onglyza® (saxagliptin) met the primary safety objective, demonstrating no increased risk for the primary composite endpoint of cardiovascular death,

Novartis has invited 60 selected students from leading international universities in 21 countries to its headquarters in Switzerland for the International Biotechnology Leadership Camp (BioCamp). Over the course of three days, students will gain first-hand experience of starting a biotechnology company as well as developing and launching an innovative healthcare product.

Bayer HealthCare and Onyx Pharmaceuticals announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted priority review designation to the Supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for Nexavar® (sorafenib) tablets, for the treatment of locally advanced or metastatic radioactive iodine (RAI)-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer.

Amgen (NASDAQ:AMGN) and Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:ONXX) announced that their Boards of Directors have unanimously approved a transaction under which Amgen will acquire all of the outstanding shares of Onyx for $125 per share in cash. The purchase price is $10.4 billion, or $9.7 billion net of estimated Onyx cash.