Merck announces efficiency program across all businesses and regions
Merck's Executive Board today presented initial plans for an efficiency program spanning all businesses and regions to the Supervisory Board and relevant employee representative bodies. The planned efficiency measures are part of the Group's comprehensive transformation program, which was announced last year and consists of two phases: In the first two years, Merck plans to set up a new leadership organization, implement efficiency measures and develop a long-term growth strategy. In the second phase, the focus will be on exploiting new growth opportunities ahead. 
Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY), announced that the European Commission has approved Zelboraf (vemurafenib) as a monotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with BRAF V600 mutation-positive unresectable or metastatic melanoma, the most aggressive form of skin cancer. Zelboraf is designed to target and inhibit mutated forms of the BRAF protein found in about half of all cases of melanoma. 
Novartis announced today that the European Medicines Agency's (EMA) Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has concluded the risk-benefit review of Rasilez and combination products containing aliskiren and confirmed it remains positive in the European Union (EU) for the treatment of essential hypertension. In addition, the CHMP has requested an update to the product information of Rasilez® (aliskiren) and combination products containing aliskiren available in the EU. 
'Epilepsy In Our Time', a video diary, explores life with epilepsy from the perspective of those living with the condition on European Epilepsy Day - 13th February 2012. The disease is the most common serious brain disorder worldwide, affecting 6 million people in Europe(1). European Epilepsy Day is an initiative of the International Bureau for Epilepsy (IBE) and the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) and this year's theme is the burden of epilepsy. 
In the fourth quarter of 2011, Sanofi generated sales of €8,508 million, up 8.8% on a reported basis. Exchange rate movements had a negative effect of 0.4 percentage points. The positive effect from the Japanese yen, the U.S. dollar and the Chinese Yuan was offset by an unfavorable impact from various currencies (notably the Venezuelan Bolivar, Turkish Lira and the Brazilian Real). At constant exchange rates, and including changes in the scope of consolidation (primarily the consolidation of Genzyme), net sales increased by 9.2%. 
Boehringer Ingelheim has expanded its biopharmaceutical cell line development services and provides drug substance as fast as 13 months at competitive prices. The novel program is called 'Lean-to-Clinic' and leverages Boehringer Ingelheim's established platforms and processes for the production of monoclonal antibodies using the proprietary BI-HEX® high expression system.