Pfizer To Take Prescription Nexium Over the Counter-and possibly other drugs as well

British pharmaceutical titan AstraZeneca has sold Pfizer,the world's largest pharma company,the over the counter rights to its prescription heartburn treatment Nexium.Pfizer will pay Astra 250 million dollars up front.After that,Astra is eligible for milestone and royalty payments for product launches and sales of Nexium and any other Astra product Pfizer may take over the counter.
Pfizer projects a 2014 date for commercialising Nexium in the US,pending FDA approval,with other markets to follow.Nexium is currently prescribed for gastroesophageal reflex disease,or GERD,a severe form of heartburn that can damage the esophagus.
Tory Zook,Executive Vice President at Astra,said this agreement will help AstraZeneca realise the substantial,long term value of this brand and potentially other brands in our portfolio.Pfizer CEO Ian Read added that Pfizer Consumer Healthcare will have the opportunity to help more consumers better manage their health,while extending the value of certain important pharmaceutical brands.
AstraZeneca and Pfizer have also signed an agreement giving Pfizer right of first refusal for OTC rights to Rhinocort Aqua,a pump spray which is now prescribed for hayfever and house dust mite allergy,or non-infectious rhinitis.
AstraZeneca(AZN),Pfizer(PFE)

Honeywell Advances Aircraft Communication

Honeywell International is advancing the way planes communicate with each other,resulting in advantages for both the public and the planet.Honeywell's Aerospace division has developed new pilot software.It enables what are essentially automatic text messages between aircraft.The messages are sent to each aircraft from other aircraft to give a more accurate picture of where everyone is.
Bob Witwer,Vice President of Aerospace Advanced Technology,explained that means that distances between planes can be shortened with a very high degree of safety.The software gives a better sense of situational awareness.The development was made possible by the discovery of communications technology that can do this data exchange,as well as the achievement of raw computing power that enables us to collate all the data.
The FAA has been very strong in this case.It is the first in many improvements that will help aircraft get there faster;save fuel;and protect the environment with lower emissions.We are very confident in this technology,Mr.Witwer said.
Honeywell International has its headquarters in Morristown,New Jersey,and other facilities around the globe.Its operating segments include Aerospace;Automation and Control Solutions;Performance Materials and Technologies;and Transportation Systems.
Honeywell International(HON)

Asia This Day:Billabong Struggles With Tough Conditions

Australian clothing retailer Billabong has suffered its first fiscal year loss since going public in 2001.The group reported the net loss of 275.6 million dollars,and a revenue decline of 7.6%,on Monday.At the same time,it claimed a net profit ex-items of 33.5 million on global sales of 1.55 billion.
The group had hired Goldman Sachs to analyse its situation.Among its problems were poor sales in Europe and Australia;online competition for its brick and mortar stores;and rising raw materials costs.At its height,it operated about 700 stores worldwide.
CEO Laura Inman said that,at an underlying trading level,the Group remains profitable.As previously flagged to the market,the Group's results have been adversely impacted by various significant and exceptional items.In response,the Group has endeavoured to adopt a conservative position,implementing initiatives that will target both cost savings and revenue growth.
Billabong has sold part of its Nixon accessories brand;closed 58 underperforming stores;and reduced costs.It has also identified a further 82 non-performing stores for closure in FY 13.Cost savings of about 30 million are expected to be realised in 2013 from initiatives implemented in 2012.
The Group intends to simplify its business;leverage its Billabong brand;realise the strategic potential of retail;continue to expand Billabong's global e-commerce platform;and globalise and integrate the supply chain.The current challenging trading conditions are expected to continue in FY 13.
There will be no final dividend for FY 12,and none are expected to be paid for the first half of FY 13.Billabong had sold a 48.5% stake of its Nixon brand to Trilantic Partners,plus a further 3% to management,in order to stabilise its balance sheet and fend off an unsolicited bid by TPG Partners.
Billabong produces and markets sportswear and casual clothing,including surfwear,outerwear and accessories.
Billabong International Ltd(ASX:BBG),Goldman Sachs(GS)

MasterCard Steps Up For Cancer Research

From now to September 28,2012,MasterCard is contributing to Stand Up To Cancer when you spend 10 dollars or more for a meal on your MasterCard(R).MasterCard will donate one cent whenever you do so-up to 4 million dollars.Only signature transactions apply,not PIN-based transactions.
Stand Up To Cancer is a program of the Entertainment Industry Foundation(EIF),a 501(C)(3)tax-exempt organization.Its goal is to accelerate groundbreaking cancer research,in order to get new therapies to patients quickly and save lives.Visit www.facebook.com/mastercard to support the cause.
Dine and be generous.S^2C(TM)   www.standup2cancer.org
MasterCard(MC)

Economy Disappointing,But Not In Recession-the view from Barclays Capital

Recent economic reports serve to refute the notion that the US is in a recession,according to Dean Maki,PhD,Chief US Economist at investment bank Barclays Capital.We believe Q3 will be stronger than Q2.Profits were by and large flat in Q2.That's really disappointed people.
We think people have to trim their expectations.They have to hire,and that cuts into profit growth.That's where we are right now.It could be a rocky road,in our view,within Europe.Ultimately,we do think they will put a handle on things.
Our view is that the Federal Reserve will not launch QE3 in September.With a significant rise in gas prices, spending will be crimped in coming months.Housing is one of the pieces we find we're most sure of in terms of a recovery.We think it will continue.
Dr.Maki has a PhD in economics from Stanford University.The Minnesota native worked as a Senior Economist at the Federal Reserve with former Chairman Alan Greenspan.
QE3 would be a further effort by the Federal Reserve to stimulate the US economy.
Barclays(BCS)

IBM Is Hiring

IBM has some questions for job seekers.Can you identify trends?Can you think strategically?Are you an innovator?Are you ready to make the world work smarter?Are you an IBMer?
IBM Global Business Services is holding an Invitational Hiring Event on Friday,September 7 from 10am to 4pm in Arlington,Virginia.For a list of openings and to apply to attend,please visit IBMexpo.com
International Business Machines(IBM)

A Community Involved:The Jake Gittlen Cancer Research Foundation

The 43d annual Jake Gittlen Memorial Golf Tournament will be this Saturday and Sunday at the Hershey Country Club.The tournament was started in 1970 by Warren Gittlen as a tribute to his late father Jake,who died of cancer that year.The fundraising event supports the Jake Gittlen Cancer Research Foundation at the Penn State Hershey Medical Center,a world class laboratory that was instrumental in the development of the Gardasil(R) vaccine that prevents human papillomavirus,the leading cause of cervical cancer and also linked to head and neck cancer.The vaccine was initially for young women only,but it is now recommended for boys as well.
Brixton Albert,a native of Lititz,PA,is the defending champion in this important event on the region's golf calendar.Giant Food Stores is again supporting the tournament and the Foundation,along with vendor partners such as PepsiCo;General Mills;Kellogg's;Nestle;and Kimberly-Clark.Shopping at Giant Food Stores and purchasing vendor products supports the Foundation.The food retailer is part of Amsterdam-based Koninklijke Ahold AV.Giant has raised more than 5 million dollars for the Foundation since 1982,and is its main source of funding.
The research lab is currently working on such things as vaccine development,early cancer detection and finding new cancer therapies.
Hershey Country Club is located at 1000 East Derry Road,Hershey PA 17033.
Koninklijke Ahold NV(AHOMY)