The FINANCIAL -- Gilead Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq:GILD) announced on September 23 that the European Commission has granted conditional marketing authorization for Cayston(R) 75 mg powder and solvent for nebuliser solution (aztreonam lysine) for the suppressive therapy of chronic pulmonary infections due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) aged 18 years and older.

The FINANCIAL -- Late-breaking data from the SPIRIT IV trial demonstrated that Abbott's (NYSE: ABT) market-leading XIENCE V Everolimus Eluting Coronary Stent System achieved superiority in the key safety and efficacy measures of target lesion failure (TLF) and target lesion revascularization (TLR) compared to the TAXUS Express2 Paclitaxel-Eluting Coronary Stent System (TAXUS) at one year.

The FINANCIAL -- Amgen (Nasdaq: AMGN) on September 24 announced detailed results from the Phase 3 '203' trial evaluating Vectibix(R) (panitumumab) administered in combination with FOLFOX (an oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy) as the first-line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC).

The FINANCIAL -- Roche announced the winners of its global 3Rs Award Program - a unique and innovative program that helps to reduce and limit the use of animals in preclinical research - to recognise and reward innovation and continuous improvement in animal welfare within the Roche research organisation.

The FINANCIAL -- Merck & Co., Inc. and QIAGEN N.V. on September 23 announced their intent to collaborate on a new program to increase access to HPV vaccination and HPV DNA testing in some of the most resource-poor areas of the world. This initiative is the first time a vaccine manufacturer and a molecular diagnostics company are collaborating to address the burden of cervical cancer with a comprehensive approach.