Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) has been named Supersector Leader in Healthcare in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes (DJSI) for the second year running. This top ranking among the world's leading sustainability-driven healthcare companies is a reflection of Roche's commitment to its employees, communities and the environment, and positions Roche as a global leader in the management of sustainable business practices.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE: BMY) is commencing today, through its wholly owned subsidiary Zeus Acquisition Corporation, a cash tender offer to purchase all outstanding shares of common stock of ZymoGenetics, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZGEN).

Shire plc (LSE: SHP, NASDAQ: SHPGY), the global specialty biopharmaceutical company, announced the expansion of its Human Genetic Therapies pipeline through the exclusive license, in markets outside of North America, for the activin receptor type IIB (ActRIIB) class of molecules being developed by Acceleron Pharma Inc., a private biotechnology company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Merck announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved two supplemental new drug applications (sNDA's) for SAPHRIS® (asenapine) sublingual tablets to expand the product's indications.

Abbott (NYSE: ABT) has completed its acquisition of Piramal's Healthcare Solutions business, propelling it to market leadership in the Indian pharmaceutical market and further accelerating the company's growth in emerging markets.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY) and ZymoGenetics, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZGEN) announced today that the companies have signed a definitive agreement providing for the acquisition of ZymoGenetics by Bristol-Myers Squibb, for $9.75 per share in cash.

Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) announced the launch of a Group-wide Operational Excellence initiative. In view of mounting pressures to curb healthcare costs - especially in the United States and Europe - together with recent developments in late-stage projects in the Roche pipeline, this initiative aims to adapt cost structures and accelerate productivity improvements Group-wide.