PFIZER

(Reuters) - Drugmakers Pfizer and GlaxoSmithKline signed a landmark 10-year deal on Tuesday to supply 60 million doses a year of cut-price pneumococcal vaccines to developing nations.

Global drugmakers face a hit to earnings from 2011, as they are forced to chip in to help pay for healthcare reform, but will benefit in the long run as millions more Americans become customers for their medicines.

(Reuters) - Global drugmakers face a hit to earnings from 2011, as they are forced to chip in to help pay for healthcare reform, but will benefit in the long run as millions more Americans become customers for their medicines.

It's been a bad month for Pfizer's research labs but its head of R&D says the world's biggest drugmaker is on track to hit earlier targets for new drug filings despite the setbacks.

The tussle over German generic drugs maker Ratiopharm is drawing to a close as the three remaining contenders square off in the final round of bidding, sources close to the deal told Reuters on Wednesday.

Major U.S. stock indices erased earlier gains to trade negative for the day. Lower than expected consumer sentiment index, a technical resistance for the S&P 500, and declining shares of drug companies pushed the market down.

(Reuters) - Several drug firms have agreed on a landmark deal to supply up to 200 million doses a year of cut-price pneumococcal vaccines to developing nations, according to the global immunization alliance that is overseeing the deal.

(Reuters) - Only half of patients at high risk of heart disease are given the right targets for cutting their cholesterol and millions may suffer heart attack or stroke due to doctors' poor advice, scientists said on Thursday.

Sanofi-Aventis and Merck agreed to reforge ties in animal health, combining the French drugmaker's Merial unit and Merck's Intervet/Schering Plough to take the top spot in the $19 billion market.

Asian shares failed to hold on to their early gains, slipping into negative territory as worries about Greece and the outlook for the global economy made investors cautious.

The three major U.S. indices ended mixed on Wednesday. In the morning, the stock market rallied on U.S. economic data and encouraging developments from Greece.

U.S. stocks ended little changed on Wednesday as worries about bank regulation and a setback for drug company Pfizer offset signs of improvement in the labor market and services sector.

U.S. stocks lost gains and were trading little changed on Wednesday as the White House stepped up its efforts to overhaul healthcare and bank regulation, sparking concerns about the potential impact on profits in those sectors.

The S&P 500 Index pared morning gains as health care stocks drag down the index after President Obama's remarks on efforts to pass the health care hill.

U.S. stocks rose on Wednesday after data on U.S. private employment and the vast services sector reassured investors nervous about the pace of economic recovery.

Stocks rose on Wednesday after data on the labor market and the U.S. services sector encouraged investors who had been uncertain about the pace of economic recovery.

U.S. stocks rose on Wednesday after separate reports showed private employers cut fewer jobs in February and the U.S. services sector grew at its fastest pace in more than two years.

U.S. stock index futures pointed to a higher open on Wednesday as a report showed private employers cut fewer jobs in February, adding to optimism ahead of a critical employment report later in the week.

U.S. stock index futures were little changed on Wednesday as investors awaited data on the labor market for clues ahead of a critical employment report and Greece took steps to meet fiscal targets.

U.S. stock index futures were little changed on Wednesday as investors awaited data on the labor market for clues ahead of a critical employment report and Greece took steps to meet fiscal targets.

Pfizer Inc is set to present a nearly $4 billion offer for German generic-drug maker Ratiopharm GmbH this week, competing against rival bids from Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd and Actavis, sources familiar with the situation said on Tuesday.