Merck & Co Inc is making a public offering of $2 billion in senior unsecured notes in order to support general corporate operations. The offering consists of $850 million of 2.25% notes due in 2016 and $1.15 billion of 3.875% notes due in 2021.
Johnson & Johnson Inc has launched its recommended offer for Crucell NV at €24.75 per share for all of the shares it does not already own. The price is the same as that announced on 17 September, 2010 when the offer was first disclosed.
AstraZeneca Plc has signed a research agreement with the Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston, Massachusetts to use stem cells to generate new research tools for investigating the causes of Type 2 diabetes.
A public-private consortium that is investigating biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease said data from a just-completed proteomics study which used plasma samples from a neuroimaging project is now available to download from a public website.
Imperial Innovations Group Plc is proposing to raise £140 million in a rights and convertible share issue in order to invest in companies founded by, or based on, the technology of the Universities of Oxford, Cambridge and University College London.
The unexpected early retirement of Pfizer’s chief executive and chairman, Jeffrey Kindler, drew various comments in the press with most commentators blaming his departure on the intense pressure that comes from running the world’s largest pharmaceutical company at a time when competition from generic pharmaceuticals is intensifying.
Sanofi Pasteur is withdrawing its marketing authorisation application for Emerflu, a vaccine intended for prophylaxis of influenza in the event of a pandemic involving the influenza A virus subtype, H5N1, the European Medicines Agency said.
Scientists from the University of Cambridge and Edinburgh University have reported identifying several genes which appear to be active in the natural repair of myelin, the protective sheath around nerve cells which is damaged in multiple sclerosis.
Scientists at Children’s Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts have reported being able to promote optic nerve regeneration in an animal by activating two molecular pathways synergistically. Separately, the pathways have a less pronounced effect.
SkyePharma Plc has updated investors on the company’s financial outlook as preparations continue for a potential launch of its asthma product, Flutiform. Revenues in 2010 are expected to show a modest increase from a year earlier.