(Reuters) – AstraZeneca Plc (AZN.L) said on Tuesday it would start a clinical trial of its cancer drug Calquence to assess its potential to control the exaggerated immune system response associated with COVID-19 infection in severely ill patients.

ZURICH (Reuters) – Novartis subsidiary Sandoz on Wednesday said it would keep prices stable on a basket of medicines which may help to treat coronavirus patients, responding to recent concerns over potential drug shortfalls and price spikes in the wake of the coronavirus break.

TOKYO (Reuters) – Astellas Pharma Inc (4503.T) has bought U.S.-based Xyphos Biosciences Inc to expand its immuno-oncology business, a deal worth up to $665 million including potential development milestones and its second acquisition announced this month.

Sanofi has moved to offload its Seprafilm surgical barrier business, setting up a large infusion of cash for early next year as its new CEO prepares to unveil his new strategic priorities for the company. The French drugmaker aims to trade the unit to Baxter International in return for $350 million.

Novartis is looking to put artificial intelligence tools on the desktops of each of its research associates, and it’s tapping Microsoft to do it.

Novartis has entered into a four-year research collaboration with Orionis Biosciences. The agreement tasks Orionis with applying its technologies to “historically elusive targets” in multiple therapeutic areas.

Sandoz today announced that it has successfully completed the acquisition of the Japanese business of Aspen Global Incorporated (AGI), a wholly owned subsidiary of Aspen Pharmacare Holdings Limited. Sandoz has acquired all of the shares in Aspen Japan K.K. and associated assets held by AGI.

REG-NOVARTIS TO ACQUIRE THE MEDICINES COMPANY FOR USD 9.7 BN, ADDING INCLISIRAN, A POTENTIALLY TRANSFORMATIONAL INVESTIGATIONAL CHOLESTEROL-LOWERING THERAPY TO ADDRESS LEADING GLOBAL CAUSE OF DEATH

Swiss pharmaceutical company Novartis has opened a new manufacturing facility for cell and gene therapies at Stein in Switzerland.

(Reuters) – AstraZeneca Plc said on Tuesday it would sell the global commercial rights for its drug to treat acid reflux to German pharmaceutical company Cheplapharm Arzneimittel GmbH for as much as $276 million.