Novartis on hiring spree in new neurosciences drive; H3 and Selvita collaborate on cancer;

@FierceBiotech: Next FierceBiotech Event: 'Big Data Gets Smart.' More | Register | Follow @FierceBiotech

@JohnCFierce: In case you missed it, this is why ChemoCentryx got back the rights to vercirnon. Article | Follow @JohnCFierce

@EmilyMFierce: CDC Threat Report: Yes, Agricultural Antibiotics Play a Role in Drug Resistance. Wired report | Follow @EmilyMFierce

> Novartis ($NVS) is adding 100 new investigators in Cambridge, MA, to man a major new push on neurosciences. Report

> H3 Biomedicine will collaborate with Selvita in a new discovery pact. Story

> Struggling Cytomedix ($CMXI) says it is restructuring its R&D operations in order to slow its burn rate. Release

> Winteam Pharma acquired Tongjitang Chinese Medicines for $431 million. Story

Medical Device News

@FierceMedDev: ICYMI yesterday: Special Report: 'Big' med tech M&A deals getting smaller. Feature | Follow @FierceMedDev

@DamianFierce: Feisty company says Covidien willfully violated its patents, sues for injunction and cash. Story | Follow @DamianFierce

@MarkHFierce: Doctor-owned MRI facilities may be overused, a new study concludes. Article | Follow @MarkHFierce

@MichaelGFierce: Special report from FierceDrugDelivery: The race for the artificial pancreas. Report | Follow @MichaelGFierce

> Sonitus snags $10M to market hearing device. Story

> Natera heads east for prenatal Dx market expansion. More

Pharma News

@FiercePharma: Aging population to fuel big leap in cancer cases--and drug sales. Can research keep up? ICYMI yesterday | Follow @FiercePharma

@EricPFierce: FDA warning letter for Stride's Agila plant was overshadowed by Ranbaxy's news of third import alert. More from FiercePharmaManufacturing | Follow @EricPFierce

@CarlyHFierce: Reps making fewer hospital visits; one tells Reuters the work lull has him "spending more time drinking tea and worrying about redundancy." Follow @CarlyHFierce

> U.K. gatekeepers unsure Sanofi's MS drug Aubagio worth the price. Story

> GlaxoSmithKline weighs RBS chair to replace board chief Gent. Report

Biomarkers News

> Study: Change in breast cancer biomarker indicates recurrence-free survival. More

> 'Better' lung cancer biomarker could aid early detection. More

> 12-year study flags new biomarker for high risk of diabetes. Story

> Three-gene biomarker could detect aggressive prostate cancer sooner. Article

> RAS mutations predict lack of response to Vectibix. Item

Drug Delivery News

> Drug delivery patch mimics adhesion used by beetles. More

> Mystic scores two platform patents for intraocular, intranasal delivery. Article

> Veritas wins European patent for RNA delivery method. Item

> Profectus begins PhI HIV vax trial with 'prime-boost' delivery. Story

> Microbottles with dissolving 'corks' deliver drugs in higher temps. Report

Diagnostics News

> Medicare Dx payment reform tackled in U.S. House bill. Article

> Adaptive Biotechnologies wins NIH backing for immune system Dx test. Story

> Doctors may be overusing MRI facilities they own. Report

> Canadian startup's analyzer could upend HIV, cancer Dx testing. Article

> International team builds 2 rapid tests for malaria treatment resistance. More

And Finally... Scientists have discovered a protein that may extend youth. More