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TOKYO — Eli Lilly leader John Lechleiter has become something of an evangelist for medical innovation lately.

On Wednesday, the Lilly chairman, president and CEO spoke to the U.S./Japan Business Council in Tokyo to call for changes and policies in the biopharmaceutical industry that encourage innovation, or “reinventing invention,” as he called it.

IRVINE, Calif. — Allergan reappointed David Pyott as president earlier this week, adding to his role as chairman and CEO. Pyott will succeed Michael Ball, who has accepted the position of CEO at Hospira, a specialty pharmaceutical and medication delivery company, Allergan reported.

The changeover takes place March 27.

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration has accepted an approval application from Merck for a drug to treat eye diseases, Merck said Wednesday.

Merck is seeking approval for Saflutan (tafluprost) ophthalmic solution, an investigational drug for relieving eye pressure in patients with glaucoma and ocular hypertension.

STAMFORD, Conn. — Drug maker Purdue Pharma is giving a $1 million grant to the state of Florida to help fund the state’s prescription drug monitoring program, the company said Wednesday.

Purdue said the program was designed to combat illegal diversion and abuse of prescription drugs. Purdue is the maker of OxyContin (oxycodone), an extended-release opioid painkiller that often is a target of abuse.

PRINCETON, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration has accepted a regulatory approval application for a Type 2 diabetes drug from Bristol-Myers Squibb and AstraZeneca, the two drug makers said Tuesday.

The FDA accepted the application for dapagliflozin, an investigational drug for adults with the disease. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that 1-in-11 U.S. adults has diabetes, with 90% to 95% of them having Type 2 diabetes.

The agency expects to take action on the application in late October.

GREENSBORO, N.C. — Merz Pharmaceuticals has created two programs to provide financial assistance to patients using its drug for cervical dystonia, the company said Tuesday.

The programs — the Xeomin patient co-payment program and the Xeomin patient assistance program — cover Xeomin (incobotulinumtoxinA), designed to decrease the severity of abnormal head positions and neck pains in patients with the disease, which causes muscle contractions resulting in repetitive movements and abnormal postures.

ST. PAUL, Minn. — UltiMed is offering 50-count pen needles for patients with diabetes, the company announced.

The company said the needles would give diabetes patients a high-quality and cost-effective option for their pen needle supplies. Before, pen needles were dispensed in quantities of 100.

UltiMed said its needles, manufactured in its De Smet, S.D., factory, are the only ones assembled in the United States.

RALEIGH, N.C. — The Food and Drug Administration declined to approve a drug made by Salix Pharmaceuticals for irritable bowel syndrome, Salix said Tuesday.

The FDA issued a complete response letter to Salix for Xifaxan (rifaximin), a treatment for nonconstipation IBS and IBS-related bloating. Salix said it had anticipated that it would receive the letter based on an understanding that the agency needed more information related to retreatment.