The FINANCIAL -- Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, a division of Wyeth (NYSE: WYE) and Ambrx Inc. on September 18 announced the formation of a worldwide alliance to discover, develop, and commercialize protein drug candidates for three undisclosed targets in multiple  therapeutic areas. 

The FINANCIAL -- Genentech, Inc., a wholly-owned member of the Roche Group (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) and Biogen Idec (Nasdaq: BIIB), on September 17 announced that a Phase III study (PRIMA) showed that patients with follicular lymphoma who continued receiving RituxanÒ (rituximab) alone after responding to Rituxan and chemotherapy lived longer without their disease worsening (progression-free survival or PFS) than those who did not continue to receive Rituxan.

The FINANCIAL -- Novo Nordisk announced on September 18 the official opening of the company’s new inflammation research centre based in Seattle.

The FINANCIAL -- The board of directors of Abbott on September 17 declared a quarterly common dividend of 40 cents per share.

The FINANCIAL -- AstraZeneca (NYSE:AZN) accepted the 2009 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award Thursday at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. This award is the highest recognition given by the U.S. government to employers for their outstanding support of employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve.