In the last two years the instruments have been employed in deals proposed by Sanofi-Aventis ( NYSE:SNY), AstraZeneca ( NYSE:AZN) and Ligand Pharmaceuticals ( Nasdaq:LGND), among many others.

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Medicon Village in Lund is sited at the former research centre for the pharmaceutical giant, AstraZeneca, with 600 people working in medical research, pharmaceuticals, medical technology and biotechnology.

BBC: Medicon Village

Morgan European pharmaceuticals analyst Alexandra Hauber advised investors to sell AstraZeneca shares, downgrading the stock from Neutral to Underweight, because she argues the company is likely to have raise the amount that is spends on both marketing and research and development.

FORBES: Analyst Says To Sell AstraZeneca Because It Might Raise R&D Spending

Pharmaceuticals got a small boost from news that gave encouragement that AstraZeneca could have some success in court protecting its patents for the drug Seroquel against generic competition.

FORBES: Magazine Article

Pharmaceuticals got a small boost from news that gave encouragement that AstraZeneca (nyse: AZN - news - people ) could have some success in court protecting its patents for the drug Seroquel against generic competition.

FORBES: European Markets Heading To Snap 4-Day Win Streak