A new study showed that SPIRIVA® HandiHaler® (tiotropium bromide inhalation powder), a long-acting anticholinergic, was significantly more effective at preventing Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) exacerbations than salmeterol HFA-MDI (hydrofluororalkane-metered dose inhaler).

Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) announced that a pivotal Phase II clinical study of its investigational Hedgehog Pathway Inhibitor, vismodegib (RG3616/GDC-0449), showed positive results in people with advanced basal cell carcinoma (aBCC), a particularly severe and debilitating form of skin cancer.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE: BMY) today announced that a clinical trial - known as study 024 - of its investigational compound ipilimumab has met the primary endpoint of improving overall survival in previously-untreated patients with metastatic melanoma.

The European Commission has granted Novartis approval for Gilenya® (fingolimod) 0.5 mg daily as a disease modifying therapy in patients with highly active relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) despite treatment with beta interferon, or in patients with rapidly evolving severe RRMS.

In response to events in Japan as a result of the Tohoku Kanto Earthquake and tsunami that devastated Japan's north east coastline region, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) is supporting the ongoing relief efforts by working with the Japanese authorities,

Novartis has committed to providing the equivalent of over USD 3 million in immediate relief aid to the victims of the recent earthquake in Japan.

MorphoSys AG (FSE: MOR; Prime Standard Segment, TecDAX) and Boehringer Ingelheim announced the signing of a biopharmaceutical manufacturing agreement for therapeutic antibodies.