Astellas Pharma Inc. (TSE: 4503), a global pharmaceutical company, and OSI Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: OSIP), a biotechnology company primarily focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of molecular targeted therapies addressing medical needs in oncology, diabetes and obesity, have entered into a definitive merger agreement under which Astellas will acquire OSI.

Sanofi-aventis (EURONEXT: SAN and NYSE: SNY) announced the creation of the Sanofi Espoir Corporate Foundation, dedicated to implementing health and solidarity programs worldwide.

Forest Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE: FRX) and Nycomed announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a complete response letter regarding the New Drug Application (NDA) for roflumilast.

Bayer Schering Pharma AG, Germany, will establish a U.S. Innovation Center in San Francisco, Calif. with the goal to expand its global research network and build its specialty pharmaceutical pipeline.

H. Lundbeck A/S (Lundbeck) announced that the results from the pivotal study with escitalopram in Japan have been received. The results are positive and according to expectations.

Covex S.A., leader in the manufacture of products aimed at improving cerebral functions, successfully reaches the first stage of its introduction in Latin America, as it begins to harvest medicinal plants on an industrial scale, for the onset of its new agroindustrial expansion.

Bayer Schering Pharma AG, Germany, has received approval from The U.S. entity of Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its new Natazia® (estradiol valerate/ dienogest) pill for the prevention of pregnancy.