U.K. preps 'breakthrough' drug program; Eisai gets a new CEO;

@FierceBiotech: J&J partners with a biotech startup on a new approach to Alzheimer's. More | Follow @FierceBiotech

@JohnCFierce: I've seen plenty of instances of chutzpah in biotech, but these Northwest Bio claims cross a line into BS terrain. News | Follow @JohnCFierce

@DamianFierce: J&J, Pharmacyclics and the future of Big Pharma dealmaking. Story | Follow @DamianFierce

@EmilyMFierce: NIH faces flat funds under president's 2015 budget proposal . More | Follow @EmilyMFierce

> The Telegraph reports that U.K. officials are preparing their own version of a "breakthrough" drug designation for experimental therapies. The FDA began its BTD program at the beginning of 2013, and the U.K. appears set to travel the same road, offering a shot at an accelerated approval for new drugs which are badly needed by patients. Story

> Japan's Eisai says that Yuji Matsue has been named chairman and chief executive officer, succeeding Lonnel Coats, who is retiring in June. Release

> The FDA has agreed to review Lundbeck's NDA for intravenous carbamazepine, a formulation of the anti-epileptic drug carbamazepine. Release

> Omeros ($OMER) says it garnered positive data using OMS721 in "ex vivo studies of endothelial activation relevant to the pathophysiology of human atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome, a form of thrombotic microangiopathy." Release

Medical Device News

@FierceMedDev: Score for Georgetown U.--a team there developed a Dx that appears to predict the onset of Alzheimer's. Story | Follow @FierceMedDev

@MarkHFierce: Here are 10 M&A med tech deals announced or closed in 2013 set to have a real impact on the industry. Special Report | Follow @MarkHFierce

@MichaelGFierce: Boston Heart launches a new inflammation test for cardiovascular disease. More from FierceDiagnostics | Follow @MichaelGFierce

@EmilyWFierce: Not just for humans anymore: new medical devices for dogs measure everything from anxiety to activity level. Article | Follow @EmilyWFierce

> Surgical tool maker Invuity will boost its sales force and move to a larger HQ. More

> Olympus is selling the OP-1 plant it bought from Stryker 4 years ago. Story

> Smith & Nephew and OrthoSensor to co-market orthopedic surgical tech and tools. Item

Pharma News

@FiercePharma: Top-read this weekend: Gilead's Sovaldi sales through the roof already, analyst predicts at least $8B this year. Story | Follow @FiercePharma

@TracyStaton: RT from BioPharmaJosh: WSJ looks at how Johnson & Johnson beat out Novartis & Celgene for Imbruvica. Story via the Wall Street Journal (sub. req.) | Follow @TracyStaton

@EricPFierce: EMA wants warning on Ambien type drugs that landed Kerry Kennedy in court. More | Follow @EricPFierce

@CarlyHFierce: AstraZeneca says Nexium pills with Ranbaxy ingredient are safe to use. Article | Follow @CarlyHFierce

> A key Actos trial revs up in Vegas with demands for a $1B-plus judgment. News

> Novartis orphan drug Jakavi nabs 'blockbuster' forecasts on new data. Piece

> Long-acting hemophilia meds portend a pricing fight with older drugs. More

Biotech IT News

> Illumina backs Venter's plan to create world's largest human genome sequencing center. Story

> Big Data, social media and mobile double their share of biopharma marketing mix. Report

> Google-backed genomics alliance details data interoperability plans. Story

> FDA informatics chief: NGS is an immediate priority for the agency. Article

> Scripps shares genetic sequences of healthy elderly to boost Alzheimer's and cancer research. Article

> Eli Lilly begins sharing photos on Instagram. Brief

CRO News

> WuXi soars on manufacturing and plots another leap in 2014. Story

> INC buys its way into the Middle East with MEK deal. Article

> Celerion stretches into South Korea for translational studies. Story

> Harlan partners up for early-stage drug development. News

> Columbia Labs inches forward in its first quarter as a CRO. Story

> Quintiles' bankrollers eye another $1B in second offering. Brief