New data from the JUPITER study demonstrated that CRESTOR® (rosuvastatin calcium) 20 mg significantly reduced major cardiovascular (CV) events (defined in this study as the combined risk of myocardial infarction, stroke, arterial revascularization, hospitalization for unstable angina, or death from CV causes) by a dramatic 44% compared to placebo (p<0.001) among men and women with elevated hsCRP but low to normal cholesterol levels.

Genzyme Corp. (Nasdaq: GENZ) and Osiris Therapeutics (Nasdaq: OSIR) have entered a strategic alliance for the development and commercialization of Prochymal and Chondrogen, two novel, late-stage adult stem cell treatments that hold significant potential to treat a wide range of diseases.

GlaxoSmithKline [LSE/NYSE: GSK] and Genelabs Technologies, Inc. [NASDAQ: GNLB] have entered into a definitive agreement pursuant to which GSK will acquire Genelabs for approximately $57 million (£35 million) through a tender offer of $1.30 per share in cash. This strategic acquisition will strengthen GSK’s effort to develop and deliver novel therapies against the hepatitis C virus (HCV).

AstraZeneca PLC has reported that sales in the third quarter increased by 3 percent at CER, or 9 percent on an as reported basis. Sales in the US were unchanged, as the $141 million decline in sales of Toprol-XL from generic competition was offset by 5 percent growth in the rest of the US business.

Novartis has strengthened its capabilities for developing medicines that can be delivered via the lungs through a definitive agreement to acquire the pulmonary drug delivery business unit of Nektar Therapeutics (NASDAQ: NKTR) for USD 115 million in cash.

The Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) has adopted a negative opinion on a Cymbalta® (duloxetine hydrochloride) application for the treatment of fibromyalgia.

Sales by the Roche Group in the first nine months of 2008 increased by 6% in local currencies (-2% in Swiss francs; 13% in US dollars) to 33.3 billion Swiss francs. Excluding Tamiflu pandemic sales to governments and corporations, sales rose 10% (2% in Swiss francs; 17% in US dollars). The rise in the Swiss franc against most currencies, particularly against the US dollar, resulted in Swiss franc growth being eight percentage points lower than growth in local currencies.