Clinical Trial Results, Conference Calls, and Acquisitions - Research Report on Pfizer, UnitedHealth, Actavis, Bristol-Myers Squibb, and Quest Diagnostics

NEW YORK, October 14, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

Editor Note: For more information about this release, please scroll to bottom.

Today, Analysts' Corner announced new research reports highlighting Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE), UnitedHealth Group Inc. (NYSE: UNH), Actavis Inc. (NYSE: ACT), Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. (NYSE: BMY), and Quest Diagnostics Inc. (NYSE: DGX). Today's readers may access these reports free of charge - including full price targets, industry analysis and analyst ratings - via the links below.

Pfizer Inc. Research Report

On October 9, 2013, Pfizer Inc. (Pfizer) announced top-line results from two Phase 3 clinical trials of tofacitinib. Pfizer reported that tofacitinib is a novel, oral, Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor that is being investigated for the treatment of adults with moderate-to-severe chronic plaque psoriasis: OPT (Oral Psoriasis Treatment) Compare (A3921080) and OPT Retreatment (A3921111). Pfizer revealed that top-line results from the OPT Compare study showed that tofacitinib met the primary endpoint of non-inferiority to high-dose ENBREL at the 10mg BID dose. Pfizer added that the OPT Retreatment study also met its primary efficacy endpoints at the 5 and 10 mg BID doses by demonstrating that a greater proportion of patients continuing tofacitinib treatment maintained their response during the treatment withdrawal phase compared to patients who switched to placebo. Pfizer informed that these are the first two of five studies in the Phase 3 OPT Program. Pfizer further added that it expects top-line results for the OPT Pivotal 1 and OPT Pivotal Phase 2 trials (A3921078 and A3921079) in Q2 2014. The Full Research Report on Pfizer Inc. - including full detailed breakdown, analyst ratings and price targets - is available to download free of charge at: [http://www.analystscorner.com/r/full_research_report/d702_PFE]

UnitedHealth Group Inc. Research Report

On October 7, 2013, UnitedHealthcare, one of the businesses of UnitedHealth Group Inc. (UnitedHealth), announced its 2014 portfolio of Medicare plans, which features new ways for beneficiaries to save money on their Medicare coverage. The Company reported that with the addition of Walmart to its preferred retail pharmacy network and Pharmacy Saver program, customers who enroll in UnitedHealthcare's stand-alone Part D plans and Medicare Advantage plans that include drug coverage can save money on their medications at nearly 20,000 retail locations nationwide. UnitedHealthcare added that beneficiaries can find additional benefits and services not available through Original Medicare in UnitedHealthcare's Medicare Advantage plans, which will be available in 44 states, the District of Columbia and most metropolitan areas in 2014. Medicare beneficiaries may opt to make changes to their health coverage during the Open Enrollment Period, beginning October 15, 2013. The Full Research Report on UnitedHealth Group Inc. - including full detailed breakdown, analyst ratings and price targets - is available to download free of charge at: [http://www.analystscorner.com/r/full_research_report/73e5_UNH]

Actavis Inc. Research Report

On October 8, 2013, Actavis Inc. (Actavis) confirmed that it has filed an Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) seeking approval to market Buprenorphine Hydrochloride and Naloxone Hydrochloride Sublingual Film 2mg/0.5 mg and 8mg/2 mg. The Company reported that its ANDA product is a generic version of Reckitt Benckiser Pharmaceuticals Inc.'s (Reckitt Benckiser) Suboxone Sublingual Film, which is indicated for maintenance treatment of opioid dependence. In connection with this, Reckitt Benckiser, RB Pharmaceuticals Ltd. and MonoSol Rx LLC filed a suit against Actavis on October 8, 2013 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware seeking to prevent the Company from commercializing its ANDA product prior to the expiration of certain US patents. The Full Research Report on Actavis Inc. - including full detailed breakdown, analyst ratings and price targets - is available to download free of charge at: [http://www.analystscorner.com/r/full_research_report/4997_ACT]

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. Research Report

On October 7, 2013, Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. (Bristol-Myers Squibb) reported a correction to its release dated October 1, 2013, which announced the schedule of its Q3 2013 results. According to the corrected release, the Company will release its Q3 2013 results on Wednesday, October 23, 2013. The Company further declared that Company executives will review financial information and address inquiries from investors and analysts during a conference call to be held at 10:00 a.m. ET on October 23, 2013. The Full Research Report on Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. - including full detailed breakdown, analyst ratings and price targets - is available to download free of charge at: [http://www.analystscorner.com/r/full_research_report/81a9_BMY]

Quest Diagnostics Inc. Research Report

On October 7, 2013, Quest Diagnostics Inc. (Quest Diagnostics) announced that it acquired ConVerge Diagnostic Services, LLC (ConVerge) from Water Street Healthcare Partners. Quest Diagnostics reported that this transaction includes ConVerge's laboratory in Peabody, Massachusetts, and its patient service centers operating in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Connecticut. Steve Rusckowski, President and CEO, Quest Diagnostics, said, "As a regional leader in women's health that is also recognized for customer service, medical expertise and innovation, ConVerge is a strong strategic fit with our business. The addition of ConVerge to the Quest family will extend the range of diagnostic information services patients and providers can access in the region while also combining the considerable medical leadership of both companies to spur new innovations that improve patient outcomes." Quest Diagnostics informed that it expects the ConVerge transaction to be neutral to adjusted EPS in 2013 and modestly accretive to EPS in 2014. Quest Diagnostics, however, did not disclose the financial terms of the transaction. The Full Research Report on Quest Diagnostics Inc. - including full detailed breakdown, analyst ratings and price targets - is available to download free of charge at: [http://www.analystscorner.com/r/full_research_report/05ba_DGX]

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