Healthcare Most Active – Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE), ARIAD Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: ARIA), Merck & Co. (NYSE:MRK), Eli Lilly & Co. (NYSE:LLY)

Pfizer Inc, (NYSE:PFE), the second largest drug maker in the world, has suffered setback during the fourth quarter ended December 2013 on account of separation of animal health business, unfavourable foreign exchange rates, expiration of the collaboration agreement for Enbrel in North America, continued erosion for branded Lipitor and expiration of the Spiriva collaboration in certain countries. Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE), stock opened at $30.44 in last session, and closed at $30.42, while the day range of PFE stock is $30.13 – $30.75. The stock showed a negative weekly performance of -2.59%.

ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: ARIA) and Specialized Therapeutics Australia Pty Ltd (STA), a specialty pharmaceutical company, today announced that ARIAD has granted STA exclusive rights to commercialize Iclusig® (ponatinib) in Australia in patients with Philadelphia-positive (Ph+) leukemias. Ariad Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:ARIA), stock opened at $8.21, in last session and closed at $8.03, by gaining 1.58%. The 52 week range of ARIA is $2.15 – $23.00. Company’s market capitalization is $1.49billion.

Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) is preparing its newest allergy pill for scrutiny by the FDA advisory committee on allergenic products. Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK), stock advanced 0.65% and finished the last session at $52.87. The EPS of the stock remained 1.51. Company’s market capitalization is $154.73 billion.

Eli Lilly and Co. (NYSE:LLY), is reportedly willing to pay as much as $3.7 billion to acquire a Cambridge, Mass.-based biotech company with a troubled leukemia drug, according to United Kingdom newspaper The Daily Mail. Eli Lilly & Co. (NYSE:LLY), stock opened the session at $54.26, and closed the session at $54.23. The 52 week range of the LLY stock remained $47.53 – $58.40 and the day range was $53.86 – $54.53.