Bristol-Myers and Merck to end diabetes JV

Bristol-Myers Squibb and Merck are ending their collaboration on new diabetes drugs, as the future for the first of those, Pargluva, looks uncertain in another blow to the struggling US drugmakers. 00:10 | Read News and analysis on drug safety High hopes for the direct approach from Merck's practical new leader Viral links spur the search for cancer vaccines

Microsoft wary ahead of launches
Microsoft predicted a slower than expected ramp up in sales for some of its widely-awaited new products, due in part to likely shortages of the new Xbox 360 games console until early next year. 23:56 | Read

• Microsoft unveils new governance guidelines
• Massachusetts set to switch off Microsoft
• EU eases pressure on Microsoft

THQ sees Q2 sales rise
THQ, the video games publisher, reported a 48 per cent year-on-year increase in sales in its second quarter boosted by the performance of its wrestling franchise and Destroy All Humans! alien invasion game. 23:35 | Read

Airtran thrives in low-cost battle
AirTran underlined the dramatic shift in travel on the US east coast as passengers choose low-cost carriers following cutbacks at legacy airlines such as Delta and US Airways. 23:25 | Read

Eutelsat cancels initial public offering
Eutelsat, the world’s third largest satellite operator, abandoned its planned initial public offering on Euronext Paris, citing volatility in European equity markets. 21:43 | Read

Coup for Hermes as Calpers chief is made CEO
Hermes, the fund management group that manages the BT pension fund, has recruited the senior investment executive from the pension fund that pioneered shareholder activism in the US. 21:38 | Read

SBC to resurrect AT&T name
SBC Communications, the Texas-based regional telecoms group which announced plans to acquire the remnants of the once-powerful AT&T business for $16bn, said it would rename the entire company AT&T. 21:11 | Read

Broadband offsets loses at Verizon
Verizon Communications reported a 4.1 per cent increase in profits as strong wireless and DSL broadband growth offset accelerating fixed line losses reflecting wireless substitution and competition from cable TV and VoIP providers. 17:33 | Read

Subscriber growth lifts Nextel Partners
Nextel Partners reported strong third quarter results boosted by subscriber growth and a big tax gain. 17:23 | Read

ExxonMobil profits soar on high energy prices
ExxonMobil, the world’s biggest publicly traded oil and gas company, reported net profit up 75 per cent to $9.9bn on high energy prices following the hurricanes. 15:58 | Read

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