Nycomed and Cadila Healthcare have signed a letter agreement with the intent to amend their existing joint venture agreement to include the chemical production of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) by the joint venture company Zydus Nycomed in India. Based on this agreement, Nycomed plans to transfer the current chemical production from the sites in Linz (Austria) and Singen (Germany) to the new joint venture within the next three to four years.

Baxter International Inc. and The Baxter International Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Baxter, today announced their combined 2007 charitable giving, which focused on increasing access to healthcare, helping developing nations and countries in crisis, and addressing other critical community needs.

In 2007 Nycomed increased adjusted EBITDA by 31.0% compared to last year to a total of € 1,222.2 million. The strong performance was accompanied in the fourth quarter by major advancements in the US out-licensing efforts that materialised in early 2008. The full year results benefited from increased sales, especially from high-margin products as well as a significant reduction in costs.

Amgen Inc. (NASDAQ:AMGN) announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved updated safety information, including an updated boxed warning in the labeling information for the class of drugs known as erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs), including Aranesp(R) (darbepoetin alfa) and EPOGEN(R) (Epoetin alfa).

Pfizer Inc announced today that the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has upheld the two main U.S. patents covering Celebrex, the company's selective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) medicine used to treat pain and inflammation. The patents had been challenged by generic manufacturer Teva Pharmaceuticals USA.

The Japanese pharmaceutical company DAIICHI SANKYO Group has purchased the European rights to the osteoporosis medication EVISTA® from the U.S. Company Eli Lilly and Company. In the process, the company is planning to gain additional sales volume of approximately €80 million.

Genzyme Corp. (Nasdaq: GENZ) announced the U.S. launch of the phosphate binder Renvela® (sevelamer carbonate) for dialysis patients, as well as significant progress in its international efforts to secure additional approvals for the product. Genzyme has submitted a marketing authorization application to the European Medicines Agency seeking approval of Renvela for the control of serum phosphorus in chronic kidney disease patients regardless of whether they are on dialysis.