Today Abbott (NYSE: ABT) announced that it plans to separate into two publicly traded companies, one in diversified medical products and the other in research-based pharmaceuticals.

Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) announced that the Phase III HannaH study demonstrated comparable efficacy of a new, investigational subcutaneous (SC) formulation of Herceptin (trastuzumab) to the standard intravenous (IV) infusion of Herceptin in women with HER2-positive early breast cancer.

Novartis will showcase data from 13 abstracts on fingolimod (Gilenya®), at the 5th Joint Triennial Congress of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS) and Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ACTRIMS) taking place from 19-22 October in Amsterdam.

Bayer HealthCare and Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. restructured their partnership for the global development and marketing of Nexavar® (sorafenib) tablets and entered into a new agreement related to regorafenib, a late-stage oncology compound.

In the first nine months of 2011 Roche reported positive data from seven clinical studies, several of which have already formed the basis for regulatory filings and approvals in the third quarter:

Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM) and Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) today announced a five-year research partnership to explore new ideas and ways to improve the quality, outcomes and costs of the health care delivery system for senior citizens and other populations.

Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) announced today that a pivotal Phase III study of Cialis® (tadalafil) tablets 5 mg for once daily use met its co-primary endpoints, significantly improving measures of both erectile dysfunction (ED) and signs and symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in men with both conditions.