Boehringer Ingelheim implements additional guidance supporting appropriate use of Pradaxa® (dabigatran etexilate) in Europe
Boehringer Ingelheim has agreed with the European Medicines Agency (EMA) to update healthcare professionals across Europe on Pradaxa® (dabigatran etexilate) regarding the importance of renal function assessment. Pradaxa® is approved in Europe for the prevention of stroke and systemic embolism in adult patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF) with one or more risk factors* and for the primary prevention of venous thromboembolic (VTE) events in adult patients who have undergone elective total hip replacement surgery or total knee replacement surgery.(1) 
Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) announced that the European Commission has approved the Company's pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, Prevenar 13 (pneumococcal polysaccharide conjugate vaccine [13-valent, adsorbed]), for active immunization for the prevention of vaccine-type invasive disease caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae in adults aged 50 years and older. 
The breadth and mix of GSK's product and geographic portfolio is helping the Group to mitigate economic volatility. In the quarter, underlying and reported sales grew 6% and 3% respectively, reflecting growth across all three areas of our business - Pharmaceuticals, Vaccines and Consumer Healthcare. Total Group turnover for Q3 2011 increased 3% to £7,104 million, with Pharmaceuticals and Vaccines turnover up 3% to £5,775 million (Pharmaceuticals up 1% to £4,633 million and Vaccines up 14% to £1,142 million). Consumer Healthcare sales increased 5% to £1,329 million. 
AstraZeneca today announced it will present key results from health economics sub-studies from the PLATO trial at the upcoming International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR) EU meeting, 5-8 November in Madrid. Data from eight countries will show that using BRILIQUE (ticagrelor) plus aspirin to treat acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients for one year is associated with cost-savings, gain in quality-adjusted life years, and life-years gained compared to treatment with both generic and branded clopidogrel plus aspirin. In the EU, BRILIQUE is indicated for the prevention of atherothrombotic events in adult patients with ACS. 
Nycomed, a Takeda Company, announced that Jostein Davidsen has been appointed Head of Emerging Markets in addition to his current role as Area Head of Russia/CIS. He will report to Frank Morich, EVP, International Operations (Americas/Europe), Takeda Pharmaceuticals International, and CEO of Nycomed. The appointment is effective immediately. Nycomed's presence in Emerging Markets was a key driver for Takeda to acquire Nycomed at the end of September 2011. These fast-growing markets are an important lever to achieve Takeda's sustainable growth aspirations as outlined in the 2011-2013 Mid-Range-Plan. 
Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) announced that the Phase III HannaH study demonstrated comparable efficacy of a new, investigational subcutaneous (SC) formulation of Herceptin (trastuzumab) to the standard intravenous (IV) infusion of Herceptin in women with HER2-positive early breast cancer. The SC administration takes around 5 minutes to administer whereas the IV formulation (the current standard) takes around 30 minutes to infuse. Since the subcutaneous administration is an injection under the skin it may allow patients to spend less time in hospital receiving their treatment versus the intravenous method. 
Sanofi (EURONEXT: SAN and NYSE: SNY) and its subsidiary Genzyme announced today that more than 20 data presentations from the company's growing multiple sclerosis (MS) portfolio will be showcased at the 5th Joint Triennial Congress of the European and Americas Committees for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS/ACTRIMS 2011). Data to be presented will include new results from pivotal Phase III clinical trials of the company's lead investigational candidates for the treatment of relapsing MS, LemtradaTM (alemtuzumab) and AubagioTM (oral teriflunomide), and will be featured in platform and poster presentations.