Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY) have announced an academic collaboration with the University of Oxford. EMPA-KIDNEY will investigate the effects of empagliflozin on the progression of kidney disease and the occurrence of cardiovascular death, in people with established chronic kidney disease with and without diabetes.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE: BMY) today announced a worldwide collaboration with Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Janssen) on a Factor XIa (FXIa) inhibitor program that includes the development and commercialization of Bristol-Myers Squibb's Factor XIa (FXIa) inhibitor, BMS-986177, an investigational anticoagulant compound being studied for prevention and treatment of major thrombotic conditions.

GSK and Orchard Therapeutics have announced a strategic agreement, under which GSK will transfer its portfolio of approved and investigational rare disease gene therapies to Orchard, securing the continued development of the programmes and access for patients. This acquisition strengthens Orchard's position as a global leader in gene therapy for rare diseases.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company and the Harvard Fibrosis Network of the Harvard Stem Cell Institute today announce a research collaboration to discover and develop potential new therapies for fibrotic diseases, including fibrosis of the liver and heart. The Harvard Fibrosis Network brings together researchers across the schools and affiliated hospitals of Harvard University.

Novartis announced today that it has entered into an agreement and plan of merger with AveXis, Inc. to acquire the US-based Nasdaq-listed clinical stage gene therapy company for USD 218 per share or a total of USD 8.7 billion in cash. The transaction was unanimously approved by the Boards of both companies.

Boehringer Ingelheim and OSE Immunotherapeutics, a biotechnology company focused on the development of innovative immunotherapies, have announced a collaboration and exclusive worldwide collaboration and license agreement to jointly develop OSE-172, a SIRP-alpha antagonist targeting myeloid lineage cells.

Dynamic, open, personal: From today forward, these attributes will be the new public face of the Bayer brand. As CEO Werner Baumann explained: "Our brand is our most important distinguishing feature. People from all over the world have been placing their trust in Bayer for more than 150 years."