Abbott (NYSE: ABT) has received CE Mark approval for the world's first drug eluting bioresorbable vascular scaffold (BVS) for the treatment of coronary artery disease. Abbott's BVS device restores blood flow by opening a clogged vessel and providing support to the vessel until the device dissolves within approximately two years,

Genzyme Corp. (NASDAQ: GENZ) reported today that discussions between its financial advisors and financial advisors for Sanofi-Aventis are continuing and have expanded to include representatives of both companies.

AstraZeneca announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has extended the time to complete its review of the New Drug Application (NDA) for the investigational drug vandetanib.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE: BMY), and AstraZeneca (NYSE: AZN) announced that KOMBIGLYZE™ XR (saxagliptin and metformin HCl extended-release), approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on November 5, 2010, is now available by prescription in pharmacies across the United States.

Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) announced that the United States (U.S.) Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has extended the ACTEMRA (tocilizumab, RoACTEMRA in the European Union) label to include inhibition and slowing of structural joint damage, improvement of physical function,

Amgen (Nasdaq: AMGN) and Xencor, Inc. will collaborate to develop XmAb(R)5871, an Fc- engineered monoclonal antibody dually targeting CD19 and CD32b. XmAb5871 is currently in late-stage preclinical development for the treatment of autoimmune diseases.

The Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) has included roflumilast (Daxas®) as a new treatment option in its COPD management guidelines. A section on the new class, phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitors, describes the efficacy of roflumilast in patients with COPD.