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Pfizer Reports Second-Quarter 2009 Revenues of $11.0 Billion

Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) reported financial results for second-quarter 2009. Revenues were $11.0 billion, a decrease of 9% compared with the year-ago quarter and flat on a constant currency basis. Foreign exchange unfavorably impacted revenues by approximately $1.1 billion or 9%. For second-quarter 2009, U.S. revenues were $4.5 billion, a decrease of 5% compared with the year-ago quarter.

Xeloda in combination with oxaliplatin shown to be effective in early colon cancer

Roche has announced results from the international phase III study NO16968 (XELOXA), investigating oral Xeloda in combination with intravenous oxaliplatin (XELOX) immediately after surgery, which show that patients with colon cancer taking XELOX live disease free for longer compared to those taking the commonly used intravenous chemotherapy combination 5-fluorouracil/leucovorin (5-FU/LV). The data prove that XELOX is superior to 5-FU/LV in terms of the time patients live without their cancer being detectable.

Novartis delivers strong operational performance in the first half of 2009

Pharmaceuticals an industry growth leader: Net sales up 12% (local currencies) in first half of 2009 on contributions from new products and expansion in all regions
R&D maintains momentum: Anti-cancer therapy Afinitor introduced in the US, awaiting EU approval; new biologic Ilaris and OTC brand Prevacid 24HR gain US approvals; clinical trials set to start in July for A(H1N1) pandemic flu vaccine
H1 2009 operating results advance well, but impacted negatively by currencies:

Pfizer Receives Approval From European Commission For Pending Acquisition Of Wyeth

Pfizer Inc (NYSE: PFE) today announced that the European Commission (EC) has approved under the European Union (EU) Merger Regulation the company's pending acquisition of Wyeth. The Commission's decision includes Pfizer's commitment to divest certain animal health assets in the EU.

Abbott Reports Strong Second Quarter Results

Abbott (NYSE: ABT) has announced financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2009.

Diluted earnings per share, excluding specified items, were $0.89, at the high end of Abbott's second-quarter guidance range of $0.87 to $0.89. Diluted earnings per share under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) were $0.83.

5-year Study Published in Diabetologia Demonstrated Long-Term Safety of Lantus® Compared to NPH

Sanofi-aventis (EURONEXT: SAN and NYSE: SNY) has announced that the results of the long-term, 5-year study of Lantus® (insulin glargine [rDNA] injection) versus NPH insulin on progression of retinopathy in patients with type 2 diabetes, published on-line in Diabetologia (DOI 10.1007/s00125-009-1415-7) showed similar effects on retinopathy and overall safety in the two treatment groups.

WHO grants prequalification to Cervarix®: GSK's vaccine to help combat cervical cancer in developing nations

The World Health Organization (WHO) has awarded prequalification to Cervarix®, GlaxoSmithKline's cervical cancer vaccine. The WHO decision is necessary for UN agencies and the GAVI Alliance to purchase the vaccine in partnership with developing countries and will help speed access to Cervarix globally. More than 80 percent of the 280,000 cervical cancer deaths a year occur in resource-poor nations.[1]

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