Novartis announced today that Prevacid® 24HR (lansoprazole delayed-release capsules 15 mg) has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as the first over-the-counter (OTC) Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI) for the treatment of frequent heartburn since 2003. Prevacid 24HR is expected to be available over-the-counter in 2009.

Pfizer Inc will launch an innovative program to help eligible unemployed Americans and their families who have lost their health insurance maintain access to their Pfizer medicines for free. The inspiration for the new program, called MAINTAIN™ (Medicines Assistance for Those who Are in Need), was generated by Pfizer employees who were witnessing friends, family and neighbors struggle to make ends meet after losing their jobs.

Bayer Schering Pharma AG, Germany, is starting the European roll-out of its new oral contraceptive Qlaira® (estradiol valerate/dienogest). From May 15, 2009, Qlaira® will be available in several European countries, including Germany. More European countries will follow from autumn 2009 onwards.

Boehringer Ingelheim and DeveloGen AG, have announced the signing of an asset sale and purchase and collaboration agreement in the field of diabetes, obesity, the metabolic syndrome and other insulin resistance associated disorders.

Roche has announced a new donation to the World Health Organization (WHO) of 5.65 million courses of treatment of the antiviral drug Tamiflu (oseltamivir). This donation includes:

• Replenishment of the Regional Stockpile of 2 million treatment courses of Tamiflu to be held by the WHO and used to address regional outbreaks,

Sanofi-aventis (EURONEXT: SAN and NYSE: SNY), the world's leading vaccine manufacturer, officially launched the construction of a new Sanofi Pasteur vaccine manufacturing center in Neuville-sur-Saône, France, in a ceremony attended by Gérard Collomb, Senator and Mayor of Lyon, Christopher A. Viehbacher, Chief Executive Officer of sanofi-aventis, Dr. Elias A. Zerhouni, Science and Technology Adviser for sanofi-aventis.

AstraZeneca has announced top line results from the phase III trial, PLATO (A Study of Platelet Inhibition and Patient Outcomes), which demonstrate that BRILINTA (ticagrelor), the investigational oral antiplatelet treatment for acute coronary syndromes (ACS), has achieved a statistically significant primary efficacy endpoint versus clopidogrel, in the prevention of cardiovascular (CV) events in patients with ACS.