Amgen (Nasdaq: AMGN) announced top-line results from a Phase 3 trial evaluating XGEVA(TM) (denosumab) versus placebo in 1,432 men with castrate-resistant prostate cancer. The trial, known as the '147 study, demonstrated that XGEVA significantly improved median bone metastasis-free survival by 4.2 months (HR=0.85, 95 percent CI 0.73-0.98, p=0.03) compared to placebo (primary endpoint),

Genzyme Corp. (NASDAQ: GENZ) reiterated the unanimous recommendation of its board of directors that shareholders continue to reject the sanofi-aventis $69-per-share tender offer, which has been extended until January 21, 2011.

Bayer HealthCare is building a new facility center in Wuppertal on an area of some 1,000 square meters for the biotechnological production of pharmaceuticals to be used in clinical trials. The investment in this project amounts to 35 million Euros, thereby enabling Bayer to expand its competences in the area of biological products.

Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) announced that Prevenar 13* (Pneumococcal polysaccharide conjugate vaccine [13-valent, adsorbed]) was introduced into the first childhood immunization program for pneumococcal disease (PD) in the developing world under the auspices of the Advance Market Commitment (AMC) when Nicaragua launched its program.

The Middle East and Northern Africa (MENA) region is facing one of the greatest healthcare challenges of our time: the diabetes pandemic. It is estimated that 26.6 million people in the region have diabetes and this number is set to double to 51.7 million by 2030.

New data to be presented show that afatinib (BIBW 2992) leads to a significant four-fold extension (4.4 months vs. 1 month for placebo) in progression-free survival - the time before a tumour starts to grow again - for lung cancer patients most likely to have an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation.

GlaxoSmithKline plc (GSK) has entered into an agreement to acquire Nanjing MeiRui Pharma Co., Ltd (MeiRui) for a cash consideration of approximately $70 million.