Novartis announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the use of Flucelvax® (Influenza Virus Vaccine), the first cell-culture-derived vaccine, for individuals 18 years of age and older[3]. Flucelvax utilizes full-scale cell-culture manufacturing technology, an alternative production method to traditional egg-based production[1].

Shire plc (LSE: SHP, NASDAQ: SHPG) and Boston Children's Hospital today announced a three-year, broad research collaboration in rare diseases. The goal of the collaboration is to develop novel therapies to treat a number of rare pediatric diseases with high unmet medical need, thereby leveraging Boston Children's research expertise and Shire's development and commercialization capabilities.

Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) announced results from the positive phase III AVAglio study. The study showed Avastin (bevacizumab) in combination with radiation and temozolomide chemotherapy reduced the risk of cancer worsening or death (progression-free survival; PFS) by 36 percent compared to radiation and temozolomide chemotherapy plus placebo (HR=0.64; p<0.0001) in people with newly diagnosed glioblastoma,

With numerous new products, the Bayer Group aims to help improve people's lives while exploiting billions in potential sales. "Innovation is the only way to address the global challenges that exist at the beginning of the third millennium," Management Board Chairman Dr. Marijn Dekkers said on Wednesday, addressing some 140 journalists at Bayer's "Perspective on Innovation 2012" forum in Leverkusen.

Sanofi (EURONEXT: SAN and NYSE: SNY) and T1D Exchange, a non-profit organization focused on type 1 diabetes, will collaborate on the TEENs registry study. The aim of the study is to provide the type 1 diabetes community with a better understanding of how children, adolescents and young adults are currently living with type 1 diabetes, and to deliver recommendations for better disease management and patients outcomes.

The Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation has marked World Diabetes Day and the second anniversary of its Together on Diabetes™ initiative by issuing the initiative's second annual report and awarding two new grants to partners in India.

Bayer HealthCare has announced the initiation of the COMPASS study, the largest clinical study of its oral anticoagulant Xarelto® (rivaroxaban) to date, investigating the prevention of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) including cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction and stroke in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) or peripheral artery disease (PAD).