Genentech submits U.S. marketing application for skin cancer combo drug; Novartis touts positive Phase IIIb study data for experimental psoriasis med;

@FiercePharma: Top-read pharma news this weekend: Actavis plan to stop making original Namenda derailed by court. Article | Follow @FiercePharma

@EricPFierce: ICMYI from FiercePharmaManufacturing: Third round of cuts slated for Novartis US Diovan plant. Total reaches 133 with 394 more gone by 2016. Piece | Follow @EricPFierce

@CarlyHFierce: The only thing that makes me happier on a Monday than a vaccines M&A story is one that involves the Czech Republic. Press release | Follow @CarlyHFierce

> Roche's ($RHHBY) Genentech unit submitted a marketing application to U.S. regulators for the use of its experimental drug Cobimetinib with cancer med Zelboraf to treat an advanced form of skin cancer. More

> Novartis ($NVS) revealed positive late-stage Phase IIIb study data showing that its experimental psoriasis med Cosentyx was better at clearing rough patches of skin than Johnson & Johnson's ($JNJ) rival drug Stelara. Story

> Biocon is planning to set up a new manufacturing facility in Vizag, Visakhapatnam, India. More

> A judge ordered Texas' Department of Criminal Justice to release the name of the compounding pharmacy that provides lethal drugs used in state executions. More

Medical Device News

@FierceMedDev: ICYMI Friday: Strong one-year data for $BSX chronic pain implant, but reimbursement change stymies sales. Article | Follow @FierceMedDev

@StacyALawrence: How Long Can We Expect to Live? U.S. Life Expectancy Hits Record High. More | Follow @StacyALawrence

@EmilyWFierce: IRS battles it out with Medtronic and Covidien over offshore tax paying tactic. Story | Follow @EmilyWFierce

> GE-backed InSightec gets $59M for noninvasive surgical tool, adds ex-Mako CEO to board. Report

> FDA issues new guidance on MRI safety and compatibility of medical devices. More

> Spinal device maker LDR files to raise $150M. Article

Biotech News

@FierceBiotech: Novartis quarterbacks a $34M round for Huntington's startup Annexon. Report | Follow @FierceBiotech

@JohnCFierce: Who spends $295M upfront on a me-better Ph3 growth hormone? $PFE, that's who. Spending money like it's 1998. Release | Follow @JohnCFierce

@DamianFierce: $SNY and $REGN bought CholesterolCounts.com ahead of their expected PCSK9 launch. | Follow @DamianFierce

> Broad's David Altshuler tapped as new CSO at Vertex. More

> Sophiris plummets on doubts its prostate drug can clear Phase III. Article

> Onyx vet Tony Coles embarks on a new biotech adventure. Report

CRO News

> BioClinica snags a Pfizer exec to take the helm. Item

> CRO Health Decisions carries on after CEO's death. More

> Medidata burnishes its risk-based monitoring tech with latest buy. Report

> DaVita grows its in-house CRO with a data-centric merger. Story

> PPD's X-Chem pairs up with Alexion for drug discovery. Article

Biotech IT News

> Autism Speaks to make Google-underpinned genomics database freely available. More

> Early Medidata backer plans $150M digital-health fund. Article

> Pfizer turns to app to overcome rare disease enrollment bottleneck. Item

> Flatiron maintains dealmaking pace with patient-reported outcome data hookup. Story

> Transcriptic offers Y Combinator biotechs $20,000 credit for its robotic labs. Report

Animal Health News

> Parnell shakes up management team, woos investors, as shares stagnate. News

> Kansas State researchers model U.S. outbreak of foot-and-mouth. Report

> European and U.S. scientists warn veterinary meds are endangering wildlife. More

> Will the $8.2B buyout of PetSmart affect its in-store Banfield pet hospitals? Story

> Sanofi chairman hints at animal health deals, sending Zoetis shares soaring. Article

And Finally… The European Medicines Agency (EMA) found that anti-inflammatory livestock drug diclofenac is a threat to vultures and other carcass-eating birds in Europe. Story