Forest Laboratories, Inc. and H. Lundbeck A/S today announced preliminary top-line results from a phase III study of Lexapro® (escitalopram oxalate) in the treatment of adolescents, aged 12-17, with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). These results indicate that patients treated with Lexapro® experienced statistically significant improvement in symptoms of depression, as measured by the study's primary endpoint, the Children's Depression Rating Scale-Revised (CDRS-R), compared to placebo.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE: BMY) in collaboration with the National AIDS Fund (NAF) launched the fourth annual "Light to Unite" campaign in support of World AIDS Day. Light to Unite shines a light on the ongoing HIV/AIDS epidemic in the U.S. and encourages individuals to get involved in the struggle against the disease through the sharing of knowledge and experiences, and through donations that benefit grassroots HIV/AIDS organizations throughout the country.

Sanofi-aventis announced the signature in Beijing of an agreement between the Chinese authorities and sanofi-aventis to build a facility to manufacture influenza vaccine, during an official ceremony attended by Hu Jintao, President of the People's Republic of China, and Nicolas Sarkozy, President of the French Republic, in China for a State Visit.

Collexis Holdings, Inc. (OTCBB: CLXS) has acquired its long-time development partner, SyynX Solutions, a privately-held software company based in Cologne, Germany. SyynX Solutions will remain as a subsidiary of Collexis Holdings – with the amendment "a Collexis company", and will take care of existing customers and drive Collexis' business in Europe.

CIBA Vision, the eye care unit of Novartis, has reached a final global patent litigation settlement agreement with CooperVision, Inc. (NYSE: COO) that resolves all current patent infringement lawsuits between the two companies. CIBA Vision has licensed its so called "Nicolson" patents to CooperVision. This will enable both companies to move forward in bringing forth new and improved innovations to meet the needs of eye care professionals and consumers.

GlaxoSmithKline and Reliant Pharmaceuticals Inc. announced that they had reached an agreement under which Reliant will be acquired by GSK for $1.65 billion (£800 million) in cash. Reliant, a privately held specialty pharmaceutical company focused on cardiovascular therapies, recorded net sales of $341 million in the nine months ending 30 September 2007, an increase of 62% over the comparable time period a year earlier.

The European Medicines Agency (EMEA) has been formally notified by Novartis Pharma AG of its decision to withdraw the application to extend the marketing authorisation to include a new indication for the medicinal product Zometa (zoledronic acid).