Allergan plc today confirmed that it has been approached by Pfizer Inc. and is in preliminary friendly discussions regarding a potential business combination transaction. Allergan stated that no agreement has been reached and there can be no certainty that these discussions will lead to a transaction, or as to the terms on which a transaction, if any, might be agreed.

The Board of AstraZeneca PLC notes the announcement by Pfizer Inc. of its final proposal to combine the two companies. Leif Johansson, Chairman of AstraZeneca mentioned that the final proposal is a minor improvement which continues to fall short of the Board's view of value and has been rejected.

Pfizer wishes to enter into discussions with AstraZeneca regarding a potential combination of the two companies and is "disappointed at the lack of engagement by the AstraZeneca Board". The Board of AstraZeneca notes the announcement made by Pfizer and states that the "announcement contains no new proposal nor substantive new information."

Forest Laboratories, Inc. (Forest) (NYSE: FRX) and Clinical Data, Inc. (Clinical Data) (NASDAQ: CLDA) have entered into a definitive merger agreement pursuant to which Forest will acquire Clinical Data, a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on the development of first-in-class and best-in-category therapeutics,

Convergence Pharmaceuticals Ltd, a new company focused on the development of novel and high value analgesic medicines, was officially launched and has successfully raised $35.4 million (£22.4 million) in Series A financing from a syndicate of leading European and US life science investors. Convergence Pharmaceuticals is an independent biotechnology company that has acquired clinical assets from GlaxoSmithKline ("GSK").

Mylan Inc. (Nasdaq: MYL) has announced plans to acquire Bioniche Pharma Holdings Limited, a privately held, global injectable pharmaceutical company for $550 million in cash.

Astellas Pharma Inc. (TSE: 4503), a global pharmaceutical company, and OSI Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: OSIP), a biotechnology company primarily focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of molecular targeted therapies addressing medical needs in oncology, diabetes and obesity, have entered into a definitive merger agreement under which Astellas will acquire OSI.