Latest news

• Sanofi cuts forecasts but says worst effects of patent cliff have passed

  Sales fell almost 10 per cent in the quarter to 8bn ($10.6bn), with around 480m lost to generic competition compared to the same period of 2012 and inventory mismanagement in ... at 760m the unit suffered from comparison with the same period in 2012

• Solid performance for Merck KGaA in "transformation year"

  Germany's Merck KGaA successfully navigated a tricky path in 2012 as it kept sales and profits on target, despite wide-ranging restructuring of its business units. ... The restructuring programme is already yielding results in terms of Merck's cost base

• Bayer pins hopes on five potential blockbusters

  to 39.8bn for 2012. ... This helped overcome a decline in sales of the Yaz contraceptive franchise, which lost patent exclusivity during 2012.

• Mylan agrees $1.6bn deal to buy Agila injectables unit

  yesterday to discuss the deal and Mylan's fourth-quarter results. ... The agreement comes as Mylan reported record financial results in 2012, with revenues up 14 per cent to $6.8bn on the back of 600 product launches around the world, and

• UCB CEO: Patient info more important than transparency

  Speaking at the presentation of the Belgium-based pharma company's 2012 financial results, Doliveux (pictured) said the ongoing debate over transparency was of little interest outside the UK, and that