HEALTH

Canada's Supreme Court rules Pfizer’s original patent application incomplete.

Japanese firms Sony and Olympus aim to start a joint venture later this year to develop medical equipment.

Boots, which already has a foothold in China, expects the deal to strengthen its Asian presence.

GSK expected to pay $14 per share for US biotechnology company in hostile takeover after earlier bid rejected.

Biotech company has high hopes for forthcoming drug trial despite revenue decline.

Driven mainly by an increase of 18 percent in international retail sales, Mothercare has reported a rise of 4.5 percent in its worldwide network sales for the fourth quarter. Shares of the group rose as much as 3.10 percent at 0835 AM BST on LSE. But total group sales decreased by 4.2 percent with total UK sales down by 9.5 percent.

Mothercare, as a part of its British property restructuring activity, is planning to close 111 loss making stores in town by 2013. Out of total 111 stores 76 closures will take place as leases expire and disposal of 35 loss-making stores, which will result in cash cost of £16.6 million.

The ban is aimed at reducing the temptation for children and young people to smoke..

BTG Plc has raised its revenue estimate for the year ended 31 March 2012 to £190 - £195 million from the previous guidance of £160 - £165 million due to the robust trading in the Licensing & Biotechnology business, which was significantly ahead of expectations and higher than anticipated royalties from BeneFIX and Zytiga.

AstraZeneca, an Anglo-Swedish biopharmaceutical company has entered into an agreement with Amgen, US biotechnology company to develop and commercialise five monoclonal antibodies from Amgen's clinical inflammation portfolio.

The world's leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare company, GlaxoSmithKline has reported topline results from seven of the eight 'Harmony' Phase III studies investigating the use of albiglutide in type 2 diabetes.

EMIS Group Plc, the UK's leading supplier of clinical software and related services, has reported a total revenue of £73.2 million for the year ended 31 December 2011, up £61.9 million in 2010 and EPS from continuing operations at 28.71 pence as compared to 23.31 pence in 2010.

If you thought diet soda is a healthier alternative to calorie-laden regular soda, you may be wrong. The bubbly zero calorie drink might increase your risk of heart disease.

Despite the fact that LulzSec openly stated in its recent correspondence with the U.K.'s NHS that it didn't consider the service an "enemy" many of the general public have already begun to question the groups supposedly noble intentions to "help" the service.

Shares in Synergy Health were up on the FTSE 250 in morning trading after the company reported a rise in revenue and pre-tax profit in the full year ended 3 April.

It has recently been speculated that cancelling the £3 billion worth of contracts the NHS currently has active with the Computer Sciences Corporation, could cost more that simply letting the contracts run their course, leading to accusations that the U.K tax payer is being held hostage.

Shares in AstraZeneca were down on the FTSE 100 in morning trading after the pharmaceutical company reported a drop in pre-tax profit in the first quarter of the year.

Shares in Reed Elsevier were flat on the FTSE 100 in morning trading after the technology and medical company reported a small rise in revenue and adjusted pre-tax profit in 2010.

Shares in Smith & Nephew were up on the FTSE 100 in afternoon trading after the medical device maker reported a rise in revenue and trading profit in the full year ended 31 December 2010.

Last week, at the beginning of February, the pharmaceutical giant Pfizer announced the closure of its renowned European Research & Development Headquarters in Sandwich, Kent, with the loss of some 2,400 jobs, many highly skilled and well-paid.

Shares in GlaxoSmithKline were down on the FTSE 100 in afternoon trading ahead of the pharmaceutical giant's fourth quarter and full year results, expected tomorrow.

Shares in AstraZeneca were up on the FTSE 100 in afternoon trading after the pharmaceutical giant reported a rise in pre-tax profit in its fourth quarter and full year results.

Shares in AstraZeneca were up on the FTSE 100 in afternoon trading ahead of the pharmaceutical giant's full year results, expected tomorrow.

Shares in Smith & Nephew were down on the FTSE 100 in afternoon trading after the producer of medical devices denied rumours that it was considering takeover bids.

Shares in AstraZeneca were up on the FTSE 100 in afternoon trading after the drug-maker said it had ceased the development of motavizumab for the prophylaxis of serious respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) disease.

Shares in Immunodiagnostic Systems Holdings were up on the FTSE AIM 100 in morning trading, following the health company's half year results for the period ended 30 September, announced yesterday.

Shares in Smith & Nephew were up on the FTSE 100 after the medical technology company reported a rise in revenue and trading profit in its third quarter period.

Shares in AstraZeneca were down on the FTSE 100 ahead of the pharmaceutical giant's third quarter results, due out tomorrow.

Shares in pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline were down in afternoon trading on the FTSE 100 and are a recommended hold ahead of tomorrow's Q2 results announcement.