IMS Health announced the launch of IMS Knowledge Link 2, an enhanced version of IMS's premier Web-based information resource for pharmaceutical, biotech, generic drug, consultancy and finance industry professionals. IMS Knowledge Link 2 offers instant access to critical business information about the global pharmaceutical market. In addition to IMS Lifecycle R&D Focus, IMS World Review and IMS Company Profiles, IMS Knowledge Link 2 includes access to:

Detailed sales data for 4, 500 marketed products in 300 therapy areas are Extensive patent information covering nine of the largest pharmaceutical markets; Quarterly sales updates on a moving annual total basis; More than 35,000 news articles on critical R&D events such as licensing offers, phase changes, launches and approvals; Daily information from Reuters Health news service; and Increased coverage of 36 markets around the world.

IMS is the world's leading provider of information and consulting solutions for the pharmaceutical industry. "IMS Knowledge Link 2 is an essential tool for anyone who works in, or follows, the pharmaceutical industry," said Deborah Kobewka, IMS vice president, Portfolio Optimization. "Analysts, journalists, lawyers and professionals throughout the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries can now have instant access to vital information - from patent and sales data to interviews with the CEOs of pharmaceutical companies. IMS Knowledge Link 2 is easy to use and rich with insights about the products and the organizations that drive the pharma industry worldwide."

IMS Knowledge Link 2 also includes patent information for 1,830 molecules, updated monthly, for nine countries: the U.S., U.K., Canada, Japan, France, Germany, Spain, Italy and Switzerland.

Users can access 35,000 articles from IMS's R&D Focus Drug News, dating back to 1995 for historical development information about companies, drugs and therapy areas. Article files are updated weekly and categorized according to news about launches, approvals, phase changes, pre-clinical data and licensing agreements or opportunities. In addition, Reuters Health news is now part of IMS Knowledge Link 2 as a source for daily news as well as a 12-month database of historical articles.