GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) plc has announced a new four year contract with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), part of the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), for the provision of its inhalation anthrax treatment, raxibacumab. The US government is purchasing the medicine as a counter measure against a potential bioterrorist attack.

Novartis commemorates World CML Day by announcing the latest milestone in its unique clinical trial program evaluating the potential for patients with Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia (Ph+ CML) to maintain undetectable levels of disease after stopping drug therapy - a concept called treatment-free remission. More than 100 study sites are now enrolling patients to the trial program.

The Bayer Cares Foundation and Caritas Argentina have laid the foundation for a new project to combat the Chagas disease in Argentina. Chagas disease is still an indication with a high unmet medical need because the minor, flu-like symptoms are rather non-specific and therefore often misinterpreted.

At the forthcoming Annual Shareholders Meeting on 4 March 2014, the Roche Board of Directors will propose Christoph Franz to be elected as Chairman of the Board. Christoph Franz is thus nominated to succeed Franz B. Humer, who announced at the last shareholder meeting that he would not be standing for re-election.

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).