AstraZeneca today 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 is the first company to earn global CEO Cancer Gold Standard accreditation by the non-profit organization CEO Roundtable on Cancer, a group of cancer fighting CEOs from a variety of industries, including healthcare. The designation recognizes the company's efforts to provide support to Novartis associates in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

GlaxoSmithKline has announced the launch of Action Potential Venture Capital (APVC) Limited, a new $50 million strategic venture capital fund that will invest in companies that pioneer bioelectronic medicines and technologies. The fund's first investment will be in SetPoint Medical, a California company considered a trailblazer in creating implantable devices to treat inflammatory diseases.

Novartis has announced that results of a global Phase III study showed that Afinitor® (everolimus) did not extend overall survival compared to placebo in patients with locally advanced or metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after progression on or intolerance to sorafenib[1].

AstraZeneca has announced that the revenue in the second quarter declined by 4 percent at constant exchange rates (CER), as the impact from products with recent loss of exclusivity has moderated from the levels experienced in recent quarters. Revenue for the rest of the portfolio was up 4 percent, fuelled by a double-digit increase from the five growth platforms.

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has increased its commitment to the GAVI Alliance to provide vaccines to developing countries, helping to protect millions more children against infectious diseases. Under this new agreement, GSK will provide an additional 240 million doses of Synflorix™ to developing countries over the next ten years, helping protect up to 80 million more children from pneumococcal diseases such as meningitis and pneumonia.

Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) has announced plans to move forward to internally separate its commercial operations into three business segments, two of which will include Innovative business lines and a third which will include the Value business line. Each of the three segments will include developed markets and emerging markets.