EC approves Novartis' Jakavi; FDA lifts hold on LPath program;

 @FierceBiotech: Special report: The Alzheimer's pipeline... What's next? Report | Follow @FierceBiotech

 @JohnCFierce: Resverlogix touts positive PhIIb atherosclerosis data, sets sights on PhIII deal. More | Follow @JohnCFierce

 @RyanMFierce: What changes will Roche vet Pascal Soriot make as CEO of AstraZeneca? More | Follow @RyanMFierce

> The European Commission has approved Novartis' ($NVS) Jakavi, a new drug for myelofibrosis licensed from Incyte. Story

> LPath reported that the FDA has lifted the clinical hold on iSONEP, an anti-S1P monoclonal antibody being developed as a potential treatment for wet AMD and possibly other ocular disorders. Release

> Catalyst Pharmaceutical Partners is raising $6 million in a new stock offering designed to fund its drug development work. Story

> Rexahn Pharmaceuticals says it gathered positive data in a Phase II clinical study of Archexin, its clinical-stage pancreatic cancer drug candidate. A penny stock company, Rexahn's shares jumped 22% on the news. Release

Pharma News

 @FiercePharma: AstraZeneca's gain is Roche's loss: Stock down 1% after $AZN woos away Pascal Soriot for CEO job. More | Follow @FiercePharma

> Forest adopts 'poison pill' to fend off Icahn. Report

> AstraZeneca entices Roche exec to take on CEO challenge. News

> Gilead draws early fire for new HIV med's $28K price. Story

Medical Device News

@FierceMedDev: Moving on from the Duet recall, Covidien gets a 510(k) for its next-gen surgical stapler. News | Follow @FierceMedDev

 @MarkHFierce: Stent use can help certain patients more than medical therapy if used on the early side. Release | Follow @MarkHFierce

 @DamianFierce: Joining other big shots in the device game, Medtronic has opened an R&D center in China. Report | Follow @DamianFierce

> Shake-up at Roche puts Diggelmann in charge of diagnostics. News

Biotech Research News

> Acorda's drug treats nerve damage-related ED in preclinical test. Article

> Novira raises $23M for hepatitis B/HIV drug work. News

> Genentech, U. Minnesota scientists discover new colon cancer red flags. Story

> Johns Hopkins team turning blood cells into stem cells. More

> Melanoma stem cells may carry provocative drug target. Item

Pharma Manufacturing News

> Drugmaker EirGen thinks plan to put waste station nearby stinks. More

> Sun says FDA clears plants where Marshalls seized products in 2009. News

> CSL, whose vaccine was tied to convulsions, gets FDA closeout letter. Story

> Hospira commits to 200 jobs, $85M investment, at troubled plant. Report

And Finally… Researchers from the University of Bonn and MPI Martinsried say they have "decoded signals that boost the burning of fat." Release