Total revenues of the Merck Group increased 3.8% to € 2,532 million in the third quarter from € 2,438 million in the year-ago quarter with solid contributions from the Pharmaceuticals divisions and the Merck Millipore life science division.

Novartis' net sales rose 18% (+12% cc) to USD 14.8 billion in the third quarter. Sales were up mainly due to a strong performance from recently launched products, which contributed USD 3.6 billion or 25% to total net sales for the Group and grew 31% over the previous-year quarter.

Sanofi (EURONEXT: SAN and NYSE: SNY) announced the appointment of David Meeker as Chief Executive Officer of Genzyme, a Sanofi company, effective November 1, 2011. He will report to Christopher A. Viehbacher, Chief Executive Officer of Sanofi, and will join the Group Management Committee. Christopher A. Viehbacher will retain the position of Chairman, Genzyme.

Novartis has announced positive results from three Phase II trials showing that AIN457 (secukinumab) produced a quick and significant improvement of symptoms in patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. The results were presented at the annual European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress, in Lisbon, Portugal.

Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) announced financial results for the third quarter of 2011. In the third quarter of 2011, worldwide total revenue was $6.148 billion, an increase of 9 percent compared with the third quarter of 2010.

Abbott's worldwide sales increased 13.2 percent to $9.8 billion, including a favorable 5.3 percent effect of foreign exchange. Proprietary Pharmaceuticals sales increased 13.5 percent in the quarter.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY) announced a series of related changes within its Senior Management Team. Giovanni Caforio has been promoted to president, U.S. Pharmaceuticals.