Research In Motion (RIM) has introduced BlackBerry Enterprise Server Express, a free new server software that wirelessly and securely synchronizes BlackBerry smartphones with Microsoft Exchange or Microsoft Windows small business server.

Abbott has completed its E4.5 billion ($6.2 billion) acquisition of Solvay Pharmaceuticals, providing Abbott with a large and complementary portfolio of pharmaceutical products and expanding its presence in key global emerging markets.

AstraZeneca and Rigel Pharmaceuticals have signed an exclusive worldwide license agreement for the global development and commercialization of fostamatinib disodium (R788), Rigel's late-stage investigational product for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and additional indications.

UK-based gas & oil exploration and production company Forum Energy has bagged a service contract relating to the GSEC 101 license to Forum (GSEC 101), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the company, from the Government of the Philippines, acting through the Philippines Department of Energy. Full details relating to the contract work programme will be announced shortly.

Vodafone is planning to deploy M-Pesa, a mobile money transfer service, in South Africa, to be deployed by its subsidiary, Vodacom South Africa and its South African banking partner. The M-PESA service was developed by Vodafone and has already been deployed by Safaricom in Kenya, Vodacom in Tanzania and Roshan in Afghanistan (branded M-Paisa).

Jacobs Engineering Group has acquired Jordan, Jones and Goulding (JJG), a provider of engineering, planning and consulting services for water, wastewater, environmental and other clients. Jacobs did not disclose the terms of the transaction.

CIGNA International Expatriate Benefits (CIEB), a provider of health benefits for expatriates, has expanded its international network in Russia by adding 4,000 new hospitals and clinics. The network in Russia includes health care professionals located in areas such as Moscow and St. Petersburg.

Merck has appointed Bridgette Heller as executive vice president and president of consumer health care. Ms Heller will succeed Stanley Barshay, who had postponed his planned retirement to serve in a transition role following the merger of Merck and Schering-Plough.

Microsoft has unveiled the next-generation of Windows Phones, Windows Phone 7 Series. With this new platform, Microsoft offers a fresh approach to phone software, distinguished by smart design and truly integrated experiences that bring to the surface the content people care about from the web and applications.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Daiichi Sankyo’s hypertension treatment Benicar (olmesartan medoxomil) for use with children and adolescents 6 to 16 years of age. Benicar was originally approved in 2002 for the treatment of hypertension in adults.

Vodafone, Verizon Wireless and nPhase, a Verizon Wireless/Qualcomm JV, are planning to form a strategic alliance aimed at accelerating the adoption of global machine-to-machine (M2M) deployments by simplifying the remote management and monitoring of devices spread across both European and US networks.

PepsiAmericas, a manufacturer, seller and distributor of PepsiCo beverages, has reported net sales of $968.3m for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009, compared to $1.17 billion for the comparable period in 2008.

NCC Construction Sweden has bagged a contract from the Swedish Road Administration for the construction of the new Highway 50 between Mjolby and Motala in the county of Ostergotland. The order, valued at about SEK1.3 billion, is for a total package contract, meaning that NCC will also be responsible for operation and maintenance for 20 years.

Visa and DeviceFidelity are planning to market a solution that can enable a mobile phone with a memory card slot to be used as a Visa mobile payment device. The solution combines Visa’s contactless payment technology, Visa payWave, and DeviceFidelity’s In2Pay technology to transform a mobile phone with a microSD memory slot into a mobile contactless payment device.

Euthymics Bioscience has signed a non-binding letter of intent to merge into and acquire DOV Pharmaceutical (DOV) for $2m in cash plus payment of certain of DOV's expenses. If the transaction is consummated, it is anticipated that DOV will be renamed Euthymics Bioscience.

Yamaha Motor Company (YMC) is planning to transfer its all-terrain vehicle (ATV) production currently in Japan to the US. With this transfer, the production capacity of YMC's Japanese subsidiary - Yamaha Motor Powered Products Company (YMPC) - will be integrated into YMC's US subsidiary based in Newnan, Georgia - Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Corporation of America (YMMC).

American Airlines (AA) and Japan Airlines (JAL) have filed an application with the US Department of Transportation (DOT) for antitrust immunity to forge a closer relationship and implement a joint business agreement (JBA) governing the operation of their flights between North America and Asia.

Accenture has acquired RiskControl, a privately held risk consulting company, to complement and expand its risk service offerings in the rapidly growing Brazilian market. RiskControl will be integrated into Accenture’s new risk management service line, and Accenture will continue to deliver services to RiskControl’s clients under the terms of their existing contracts.

Aviva is adding 13 funds from leading asset managers to its Wrap and self-invested personal pension (Sipp). It is also removing initial charges from the Aviva wrap. From February 15, 2010 until the end of 2010, there will be no initial charge on any new contributions invested in any Aviva wrap portfolios.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted approval for Abbott's new tablet formulation antiretroviral medication Norvir (ritonavir). The new Norvir tablets can be stored at room temperature and do not require refrigeration, making it more convenient for patients.