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LONDON (MarketWatch) -- AstraZeneca said Thursday that once-daily Seroquel XR and Seroquel have been approved under the European Mutual Recognition Procedure for new indications in bipolar disorder. They have been approved for the treatment of major depressive episodes in bipolar disorder. Additionally, Seroquel XR has been licensed for moderate to severe manic episodes in bipolar disorder. AstraZeneca said it will move forward with obtaining local approvals with the 17 member states that take part in the Mutual Recognition Procedure.

The FDA announced its update on the safety review of bisphosphonates, including FOSAMAX®, that found no clear association between overall bisphosphonate exposure and the rate of serious or non serious... [WebWire - Thursday, november 13, 2008]

Building on its reputation for excellence in the deliverability of its angioplasty products, Medtronic, Inc. (NYSE: MDT), announced today the U.S. market launch of the Endeavor Sprint drug-eluting ste... [WebWire - Thursday, november 13, 2008]

Awards Recognize Companies That Demonstrate Best Strategic Use of Mergers and Acquisitions - - The Deal magazine has named Abbott as the healthcare sector winner of its inaugural Most Admired Corporat... [WebWire - Thursday, november 13, 2008]

Understanding of the Disease and its Risk Factors, Including Smoking, Remains Low - - Awareness of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) is growing, but few Americans have a thorough understandi... [WebWire - Thursday, november 13, 2008]

Bayer CropScience is aiming to help make a "second green revolution? possible in Asia by developing new, high-yielding varieties of rice. The company plans to expand substantially the breeding and ...

SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- AmerisourceBergen Corp. said late Thursday its board raised its quarterly dividend by 33% and approved a new stock buyback program. The board raised the dividend to 10 cents from 7.5 cents. The dividend will be paid Dec. 8 to stockholders of record as of Nov. 24. Also, the board approved a $500 million share buyback program.

Israeli stocks fell on Thursday, nudging lows not seen in more than three years, with three blue chips trading down by double-digits percent.

Novexe announced that its most advanced injectable antibacterial, which combines Novexel?s broad spectrum beta-lactamase inhibitor, NXL104, with the well established cephalosporin antibiotic, ...

NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. said Thursday it intends to launch a new working capital initiative which focuses on increasing cash flow by $750 million to $1 billion by 2011. Details of the initiative will be announced by Chief Financial Officer Jean-Marc Huet at a conference later Thursday morning in Phoenix.