tiates VRNS (op) ••• Jefferies initiates AKRX/ANAC/PRGO/XNPT (buy), JMP initiates HIVE (mp) ••• Jefferies assumes NKTR/PCRX/SHPG/SLXP/TEVANRX (buy) & AGN/SGNT/SUPN (hold) ••• KBW upgrades LION, Raja initiates ERIC (mp), Roth initiates GSVC (buy) ••• Stifel initiates EVDY (buy), Citi upgrades AZN (buy), Piper a