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BOSTON and BRUSSELS — Drug maker UCB and Harvard University have entered a research alliance that is designed to advance ongoing Harvard research projects along the drug development pathway.

UCB said it will bring its expertise in antibody generation and medicinal chemistry into the alliance and will provide up to $6 million over two years to fund specific innovative research projects led by Harvard scientists. The collaboration focuses on the central nervous system and immunology, UCB said.

NEW YORK — Innovation took center stage Thursday as Eli Lilly laid out its future growth strategies at a meeting with investors.

At its “Bridging to the Future” meeting, Lilly said it had 70 drugs in its research and development pipeline, including 33 in phases 2 and 3. The company said it expects at least 10 new drugs to enter phase 3 this year, including drugs in such areas as cancer, diabetes and neuroscience, as well as new therapeutic areas, such as autoimmune disorders.

SAN DIEGO — Adding an investigational drug for Type 2 diabetes to the common generic drug metformin helped control blood sugar in patients who could not control their blood sugar with metformin alone, according to results of a late-stage clinical study.

INDIANAPOLIS — A topical drug made by Eli Lilly restored testosterone to normal levels in men with abnormally low testosterone, according to results of a late-stage clinical trial.

Lilly announced results of a phase-3 trial of Axiron (testosterone) topical solution, a treatment for the condition, also known as hypogonadism. Study results also showed that the drug improved symptoms associated with it.

Hypogonadism results from damage or disease of the testicles, hypothalamus or pituitary glands that inhibits production of testosterone.

WASHINGTON — Eli Lilly will invest funds into its existing biotechnology capabilities to further research and development of multispecific therapeutics.

SAN DIEGO — New data from a late-stage clinical trial of a recently approved drug for Type 2 diabetes show improved blood-sugar control in adults who take it with metformin or alone.

Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly presented data from the study of Tradjenta (linagliptin) at the American Diabetes Association’s 71st Scientific Sessions in San Diego last weekend. The study showed reductions in blood sugar and weight, and a low incidence of abnormally low blood sugar, known as hypoglycemia.

The FDA approved Tradjenta as a treatment for Type 2 diabetes in May.

AMITYVILLE, N.Y. — Generic drug maker Hi-Tech Pharmacal said that it has acquired marketing and distribution rights to pain treatments made by Atley Pharmaceuticals.

Hi-Tech, which paid $3.6 million in cash for rights to the products and inventory, said some of Atley's drugs already have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration, while others were pending approval. The company didn't say which products it was acquiring the rights to, but noted that Hi-Tech subsidiary ECR Pharmaceuticals will produce and promote the products.

PARIS — An investigational Sanofi drug for diabetes works at least as well as a similar treatment already on the market, and results in less abnormally low blood sugar, according to late-stage clinical trial results presented at the American Diabetes Association’s 71st Scientific Sessions in San Diego this past weekend.