Abbott (NYSE: ABT) has received approval from Health Canada for the XIENCE V Everolimus Eluting Coronary Stent System for the treatment of coronary artery disease (CAD). XIENCE V is the only drug eluting stent to have demonstrated superiority over the TAXUS Paclitaxel-Eluting Coronary Stent System (TAXUS) in the primary endpoints of two randomized, pivotal (phase III) clinical trials.

Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) has announced that initial results from its pivotal, five-year, Phase III GJAD "GENERATIONS" trial for arzoxifene failed to demonstrate a statistically significant difference in key secondary efficacy endpoints, such as non-vertebral fractures, clinical vertebral fractures, cardiovascular events and cognitive function, compared to placebo.

Newly published data in The New England Journal of Medicine affirm five-year upfront use of Femara® (letrozole) following surgery as an optimal treatment approach versus tamoxifen for postmenopausal women with early stage breast cancer (hormone-receptor positive).

Nycomed reports sustained momentum in the second quarter 2009, with total net turnover increasing by 0.5% to €786.9 million excluding the impact of the Sepracor execution payment received in the first half of 2008. This performance is driven by Nycomed's Key Products. Pantoprazole turnover in Europe dropped only moderately after loosing patent protection in May.

Recognizing that patient participation in clinical trials is the key to progress in medical research, Pfizer Inc has entered into a collaboration with Private Access, the innovator in privacy-enhanced search technology, to create a new online community aimed at increasing clinical trial awareness and participation.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Extavia® (interferon beta-1b), the first in a new planned portfolio of multiple sclerosis (MS) medicines from Novartis to help patients manage this devastating disease.

Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ALXN) announced today that Soliris(R) (eculizumab), its first-in-class complement inhibitor, has been granted Orphan Medicinal Product Designation by the European Commission for the treatment of patients with atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (aHUS).