BOSTON – Attorney General Martha Coakley’s office announced last week that it had joined 37 other states in a $90 million settlement with GlaxoSmithKline LLC. The lawsuit resolves allegations that the pharmaceutical company unlawfully promoted its diabetes drug, Avandia, by misrepresenting its cardiovascular risks and safety profile. According to a statement, the settlement will bring more than $2.1 million to the commonwealth. more

The 2012 meeting of the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce, held Monday at the R.I. Convention Center, made news that could re-shape the region’s economy. more

PROVIDENCE – The implementation of the primary-care provider-designation law taking effect on Jan. 1 is moving forward. Under the new law, health insurers will need to submit plans to the R.I. Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner (OHIC) to ensure that they will meet the law’s requirements. more

PROVIDENCE – A new study by The Miriam Hospital researcher Robyn L. Fielder published online by the Journal of Adolescent Health has found that romantic encounters are the most common sexual behavior among women in their first year of college. more

There has been a lot of talk about the fact that we are now entering the Knowledge Age in American business. Terms such as Knowledge Economy, Knowledge Worker and even Knowledge Districts are becoming more common every day. But to date most of those using the terms have been intellectuals, academics and those who deal in emergent industries. more

It’s a message that’s been stated repeatedly in an effort to drive Rhode Island’s – and the nation’s – economic recovery: a knowledge-based economy, technical retraining and small-business creation are keys on the road to success. And Rhode Island is making some progress, according to Laurie White, executive director of the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce. more

Rhode Island life science entrepreneurs with breakthrough research they hope will conquer the marketplace have a new ally. more

Providence-based EpiVax Inc. was awarded a $55,000 grant from the GBS/CIDP Foundation International to explore using Tregitopes as a new therapy for a nerve disease that is treated currently with intravenous immunoglobulin. more

(Editor’s note: This is the second in a three-part series on tax-planning considerations and strategies for tax year 2012.) more

Thousand Oaks, Calif.–based Amgen, one of the world’s largest biotechnology companies, saw revenue rise 9.5 percent to $4.3 billion in the three months ended Sept. 30 from $3.9 billion during the same period in 2011. more