Elan sells remaining shares to Alkermes; Spectrum stock spikes;

 @FierceBiotech: Juventas snaps up business development veteran, more in this week's roundup of hirings and firings in biotech, pharma. More | Follow @FierceBiotech

@JohnCFierce: Odana is one of Merck's top PhIII drugs, and like suvorexant may not sell well against generics. Where's the breakthrough strategy? More | Follow @JohnCFierce

@RyanMFierce: Gilead hungers for more cancer drug deals. But Ariad? Story | Follow @RyanMFierce

> Elan ($ELN) has agreed to sell all of its remaining 7,750,000 ordinary shares of Alkermes through Jefferies & Company. Elan sold its Elan Drug Technologies (EDT) formulation and manufacturing business to Alkermes in a cash and shares deal valued at $960 million in 2011. Release

> Spectrum Pharmaceuticals' ($SPPI) stock jumped Thursday after the company said it regained rights from Allergan ($AGN) to market its bladder cancer drug apaziquone and is making progress with the FDA to consider the drug's approval. Story

> Researchers in China think a protein derived from pigs has potential to treat dementia patients. Story

Pharma News

@FiercePharma: Genzyme's $176K Kynamro price undercuts its $250K-plus rival. But rivalry in orphan drugs isn't the usual. Article | Follow @FiercePharma

@EricPFierce: Medicare refiguring how it will pay for dialysis drugs. It is part of the new payer world. More | Follow @EricPFierce

> U.K. gatekeepers shut out AZ and BMS' new diabetes drug. Story

> Merck has to trim outlook as pipeline poops out. Article

> Pfizer's Zoetis spinoff outshines drug biz, at least for a day. More

> OTC plant bites Novartis' reputation again. Report

Medical Device News

 @FierceMedDev: New special report: Top diagnostics VC investments of 2012. More | Follow @FierceMedDev

 @MarkHFierce: Philips Healthcare had a solid Q4--the overall company, less so. More | Follow @MarkHFierce

 @DamianFierce: Add Smith & Nephew to the list of companies cutting jobs and blaming the 2.3% medical device tax. Report | Follow @DamianFierce

> GE pursues 'corrective action' for more parts used in two infant warmers. Article

> Ivantis hauls in $27M for tiny eye stent. Story

> MITA: CMS should weigh Dx endpoints for beta amyloid PET imaging coverage. Item

And Finally... Could the study of folkloric beasts have a place in mainstream science? Story