Swiss stocks - Factors to watch on Sept 3

ZURICH, Sept 3 (Reuters) - Swiss stocks are set to inch up on Friday, but investors remained cautious on the world economy ahead of U.S. monthly jobs data later in the day expected to show a third consecutive monthly fall in non-farm payrolls.

The Swiss blue-chip index SMI.SSMI was indicated to open 10 points higher at 6,344 points, premarket data provided by bank Clariden Leu showed.CLPRE

The following are some of the main factors expected to affect Swiss stocks on Friday:

ROCHE (ROG.VX)

The Swiss drugmaker will review its business and cut costs to cope with rising pressures on prices from healthcare reforms worldwide, it said on Friday.

For related news click on [ROG.VX}

NOVARTIS (NOVN.VX)

An experimental Novartis (NOVN.VX) drug can clear malaria infection in mice with a single dose and scientists say it shows promise as a possible future treatment for one of the world's major killer diseases.

For related news click on [NOVN.VX]

PHARMA

People who take a commonly used class of osteoporosis drugs called bisphosphonates for more than five years may be doubling their risk of developing cancer of the gullet or oesophagus, a British study found on Friday.

Bisphosphonates are a class of drug designed to help prevent bone fractures and offset bone weakness associated with menopause and with osteoporosis. They include Merck & Co's (MRK.N) Fosamax, Roche's (ROG.VX) Boniva, Novartis's (NOVN.VX) Reclast and Warner Chilcott's (WCRX.O) Actonel.

For related news click on [ID:nLDE68022Z]

ECONOMY [M-CH]

* Swiss consumer price data for August due 0715 GMT. Analysts see the annual inflation rate unchanged at 0.4 percent. ECONCH

COMPANY STATEMENTS [CNR-CH]

* Santhera (SANN.S) says it has entered licensing agreement with Ipsen for fipamezole for the treatment of dyskinesia in Parkinson's Disease and that its H1 net loss was lower as product sales increased [SANN.S]

* u-blox (UBXN.S) with strong first-half 2010 performance, revenue growth in all regions [UBXN.S]

* Alcon ACL.N Launches AcrySof IQ ReSTOR toricIntraocular lens outside the United States [ACL.N]

EQUITY RESEARCH [CH-RCH]

FOR COMPANIES TRADING EX-DIVIDEND, PLEASE CLICK ON:

.EX.S for all Swiss stocks

.EXSMI.S for blue chips

.EXNSMI.S for other stocks