Schering-Plough announces collaboration with World Health Organization
Schering-Plough Corporation (NYSE: SGP) has announced a license agreement between Nobilon, Schering-Plough's human vaccine business unit, and the World Health Organization (WHO) to provide access to pandemic influenza vaccine manufacturing technology to developing countries. Fred Hassan, chairman and CEO, said, "This project demonstrates Schering-Plough's strong commitment to innovation and to providing access to medicines. The avian influenza virus is already affecting several developing countries, making pandemic influenza vaccine preparedness a global health priority. 
Abbott (NYSE: ABT) has received merger control clearance from the European Commission for its acquisition of Advanced Medical Optics (AMO) through a cash tender offer for the outstanding shares of common stock of AMO. The European Commission approved the transaction without conditions.
Shire plc (LSE: SHP, NASDAQ: SHPGY), the global specialty biopharmaceutical company, announces that it has signed an agreement with UCB to acquire the worldwide rights to EQUASYM® IR and XL (methylphenidate hydrochloride) (excluding the USA, Canada and Barbados) used for the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
Merck KGaA announced that the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) has recommended to the European Commission the suspension of the marketing authorization for Raptiva® (efalizumab). Raptiva is currently approved for the treatment of adult patients with moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis who have failed to respond to, or who have a contraindication to, or are intolerant to certain other systemic therapies.
Sanofi-aventis (Paris Bourse: EURONEXT: SAN; and New York: NYSE: SNY) announced that the ATHENA trial was published in the New England Journal of Medicine. The trial showed that Multaq® (dronedarone), in addition to standard therapy, significantly reduced the risk of first cardiovascular hospitalization or death by 24 percent (31.9% vs. 39.4%, p 
New data presented today showed that, for the first time, doctors can predict which hepatitis B patients treated with Pegasys (peginterferon alfa-2a) have the highest chance to achieve a positive treatment outcome-and even a clinical cure(1,2). The study results represent an important step forward, as some patients will now be able to feel confident during their Pegasys treatment about the likelihood of beating the disease.