The Readout Loud
STAT's weekly biotech podcast, breaking down the latest news, digging deep into industry goings-on, and giving you a preview of the week to come.
Episodes
405: An obesity drug deep-dive, and peptides move mainstream
Can any of the new obesity medications in development stand out from the pack? Which company just broke records with its IPO? And will the Food and Drug Administration allow greater access to experimental peptides?
We discuss all that and more on this week’s episode of “The Readout LOUD,” STAT’s biotech podcast.[2:37 PM]Undark’s Sara Talpos joins the podcast to discuss her reporting on the peptid
404: What RevMed's pancreatic cancer drug meant for one patient
Why did oncologists give a standing ovation to a data presentation on Revolution Medicines' pancreatic cancer drug, daraxonrasib? Why did biotech stocks perform so badly this week? And are concrete beaches better than normal beaches?
We discuss all that and more on this week's episode of “The Readout LOUD,” STAT's biotech podcast.
We bring on Leanna Stokes, who was diagnosed with metastatic panc
403: Biotech exec Jeremy Levin on the industry's strategic turning point
On this week’s episode of “The Readout LOUD,” we chat with longtime biotech executive Jeremy Levin about his new book, “Biotech in the Balance: Saving a Strategic Industry in an Age of Distrust.” That sounds alarmist, and it is in some respects, but as Levin explains, the book is also a roadmap to a brighter future for the biotech industry.
402: Guarding biotech from China and big bets in longevity
On this week’s episode of “The Readout LOUD,” the hosts discuss STAT's Breakthrough Summit West, where powerful leaders from health care and science rubbed shoulders. They share some of the juicy conversations and insights, including BridgeBio CEO Neil Kumar's comments that the company is publishing “not the right structures” in their research publications.
Listeners also will hear Allison's inte
401: Makary’s departure and Cassidy’s tenuous Senate seat
This week’s episode of “The Readout LOUD” is all about health politics.
We bring on FDA reporter Lizzy Lawrence to discuss Makary’s departure — why he is leaving, which of his policies will stick, and what we know about his acting replacement, Kyle Diamantas. Washington correspondent Chelsea Cirruzzo also joins us to discuss a closely tracked Republican Senate primary election this weekend. Bill
400: Seaport's IPO adventure, obesity pill battles, and Makary's troubles
On this week’s episode of "The Readout LOUD," we chat with Seaport Therapeutics CEO Daphne Zohar, fresh off the biotech’s successful IPO.
Plus, Elaine, Allison, and Adam chat about this week’s notable news, including the obesity pill battle between Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk, a Phase 3 study win for Cytokinetics, and FDA Commissioner Marty Makary’s White House troubles.
Oh, by the way, this is
399: Hair-raising trial results, and Servier’s M&A wishlist
Why are investors excited about hair loss drugs? Will artificial intelligence make clinical trials run more smoothly? And how does a nonprofit pharma company compete in the M&A arena?
We get into all that and more on this week’s episode of “The Readout LOUD,” STAT’s weekly biotech podcast. Veradermics CEO Reid Waldman joined us to discuss his company’s data, and why hair loss is such a trendy top
398: A CAR-T biotech's dramatic turnaround, and drugmakers' tactics to drive more scripts
How did a biotech company that almost ran out of money three times get acquired for over $3 billion? Will the M&A streak continue? And why are drugmakers working with a telehealth company called Prescribery?
We discuss all that and more on this week's episode of "The Readout LOUD," STAT's weekly biotech podcast. Venture capitalist Bryan Roberts joins us to discuss his firm’s investment in Kelonia
397: A pancreatic cancer breakthrough, and new hope for an off-the-shelf CAR-T treatment
On this week’s episode of the Readout LOUD: a pancreatic cancer breakthrough and new hope for an off-the-shelf CAR-T treatment in lymphoma.
Your favorite biotech podcasting crew is back to full strength this week, and we’re bringing you two newsy guest interviews. First, we’ll talk with Allogene Therapeutics Chief Medical Officer Zach Roberts about new study results that bolster the company’s eff
396: A new trick for old science, and biotech VCs' scrambled playbook
Why is old exon science getting new traction? What’s unsettling biotech VCs? And who will be the next CEO of PhRMA?
Adam is out, so Elaine and Allison dive into the latest news, including how China and artificial intelligence are straining biotech VC firms, in addition to more M&A. They also discuss how a cancelled Food and Drug Administration meeting led to a biotech’s demise. Plus, there’s new
395: Biotech investors' plea to Trump, and a busy M&A week
How has the Food and Drug Administration's recent decisions on rare disease drugs affected investment trends? Why is Eli Lilly getting into sleep medicine? And where did Allison go on her vacation?
We discuss all that and more on this week's episode of “The Readout LOUD,” STAT's weekly biotech podcast. Biotech investor Rod Wong joins us to talk about why an industry-patient coalition he's part of
394: Eli Lilly's deal man, Allogene's off-the-shelf CAR-T, and Merck's Terns buy
On this week’s episode of "The Readout LOUD": Allison DeAngelis is still away, leaving Elaine Chen and Adam Feuerstein to mind the podcasting store. You've been warned.
Eli Lilly’s deal man Jake van Naarden is very, very busy, so what does that mean for biotech and pharma? Speaking of deals, Merck is buying Terns for nearly $7 billion. Why are some people mad about it?
You might be surprised to
393: A conversation with the 'godfather' of biotech
On this week's episode of "The Readout LOUD," we bring you a special conversation with Stelios Papadapolous, also know as the "godfather" of biotech. He sat down for an on-stage chat with our colleague Damian Garde Thursday afternoon during STAT’s Breakthrough Summit East event in New York City.
We also chat about the latest biotech news, including new weight loss data from Structure Therapeutics
392: Epstein's pal attempts a biotech comeback, and Prasad exits the FDA
How was a known friend of Jeffrey Epstein able to raise $100 million, with the help of a prominent biotech VC? And will Vinay Prasad return to the Food and Drug Administration for a "three-peat"?
Damian Garde joins Allison, Adam, and Elaine to discuss his article about Boris Nikolic, a well-connected biotech investor with deep ties to Jeffrey Epstein, who has raised a new biotech investment firm.
391: Breaching the IBD efficacy ceiling, and sham surgeries
Will drugmakers finally be able to breach the efficacy ceiling in inflammatory bowel disease? And is the Food and Drug Administration being flexible enough with rare disease treatments?
Spyre Therapeutics CEO Cameron Turtle joins the podcast to discuss his company's experimental IBD medications, and whether the drug industry is scraping the barrel in the search for better treatments. We also dis
390: FDA turmoil, election intrigue, AI, and more
On "The Readout LOUD" this week: Adam Feuerstein, solo. His usual co-hosts Allison DeAngelis and Elaine Chen took some time off, so Adam manned the podcast mic himself.
Adam thought, quite understandably, that our cherished listeners wouldn’t want to hear him drone on for 30 minutes, so he thankfully found some help. Jared Holz, health care sector specialist at Mizuho Securities, agreed to be Ada
389: Hims' Super Bowl fallout, and the FDA reverses course
Was Hims' Super Bowl ad the final straw for regulators? Is the bar being lowered for psychedelic medicines? And what's happening behind-the-scenes with Moderna and the Food and Drug Administration?
We discuss all that on this week's episode of "The Readout LOUD." STAT's Katie Palmer joins Adam, Elaine, and Allison to discuss the Hims GLP-1 pill fallout. The hosts also discuss the latest on Modern
388: The FDA's refusal to review Moderna's mRNA flu vaccine
We’re devoting our entire episode this week to one controversial and impactful topic: the FDA’s decision to block the review of Moderna’s mRNA flu shot.
STAT was the first to report that Vinay Prasad, the agency’s top regulator of vaccines, overruled the head of the FDA’s vaccine office and other staffers in making that decision. Prasad’s unilateral action has renewed concerns about the FDA’s reg
387: Challenges for a crucial sickle cell treatment and the latest outlook for GLP-1s
On this week’s episode of The Readout LOUD: two starkly different financial outlooks from Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly, a psychedelics drug from Compass Pathways encountered a roadblock with the Trump White House, and a closer look at why manufacturing problems have slowed the rollout of a crucial sickle cell treatment.
It’s our pre-Super Bowl show, which triggered some co-host squabbling. Adam Feu
From Drug Story: Lipitor and Heart Disease
This is an episode of Drug Story, a podcast by Thomas Goetz. You can find the rest of the series at https://www.drugstory.co/podcast
Once you turn 40, it seems like half the people you know are taking a statin drug. You know, because their cholesterol is high, and to prevent heart disease down the line. It makes sense: better safe than sorry. This is a huge triumph for preventive medicine. Statin
386: The high stakes for Huntington's patients
Biotech company UniQure is set to meet with the Food and Drug Administration to discuss the path forward for its gene therapy for Huntington's disease, and the outcome could be potentially devastating for patients.
That's what patient advocate Lauren Holder says on the latest episode of “The Readout LOUD,” STAT’s weekly biotech podcast. Holder joins the podcast for an in-depth discussion of how t
385: A measles outbreak and hospitals' financial troubles
Why is the U.S. at risk of losing its measles elimination status? How are health officials reacting to the measles outbreak? And what did top Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services official Mehmet Oz tell hospital executives at a fancy yacht party in San Francisco?
We discuss all that and more on this week's episode of "The Readout LOUD," STAT's weekly biotech podcast. We bring on our infecti
384: Live from the JP Morgan conference, a sit-down with Novo Nordisk's CEO and VC Bob Nelsen
For this very special episode of The Readout LOUD Allison, Adam, and Elaine are live from the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference in San Francisco.
The hosts are joined by ARCH Venture Partners co-founder and managing director Bob Nelsen and new Novo Nordisk CEO Mike Doustdar joins the podcast hosts live to discuss his first few months on the job and the company's push to regain market share in the
383: JPM to bring more deals and happy CEOs
What news happened over the holidays? Why will pharma CEOs be greeted warmly in San Francisco next week? And who will buy Revolution Medicines?
We discuss all that and more on this week’s episode of “The Readout LOUD,” STAT’s weekly biotech podcast. We bring on former co-host Damian Garde, who’s now a reporter at large at STAT, to preview the upcoming J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference. We also di
382: Biotech's year in review
Is the biotech industry truly out of its slump? Why are employers dropping coverage of weight loss drugs? And what will the hosts bake for the holidays?
We discuss all that and more on this week's episode of "The Readout LOUD," the last episode of the year. We bring on Bruce Booth, partner at venture capital firm Atlas Venture, to reflect on everything that's happened in the biotech industry this
381: The future of American science and a dispatch from ASH
How did Terns Pharmaceuticals and its “hodgepodge” pipeline grab attention at the American Society of Hematology conference? Is Eli Lilly’s new drug making people lose too much weight? And what, exactly, is the Trump administration’s plan for reforming the National Institutes of Health?
First, we discuss all things ASH, particularly Tern’s chronic myeloid leukemia data, Johnson & Johnson’s multi
380: A new top drug regulator and the future of psychedelics
On this week’s episode of "The Readout Loud": a look at an emerging class of psychedelic drugs that may treat depression, anxiety, and other psychiatric conditions without the hallucinogenic “trip.” Plus, a dash through the week’s biotech news.
Our special guest this week is David Olson, director of the UC Davis Institute for Psychedelics and Neurotherapeutics and the co-founder of Delix Therapeu
379: How Mark Cuban plans to ‘f— up’ health care
How much time does Mark Cuban spend thinking about health care? Why does he think TrumpRx, a direct drug purchasing platform that the Trump administration aims to launch, is “the most incredible program ever”? And what are his thoughts on sports betting?
We discuss all that and more on this week’s episode of “The Readout LOUD,” STAT’s weekly biotech podcast. Cuban comes on for an extensive cha
378: Merck's heart disease win and the FDA's new drug regulator
What does Rick Pazdur's new role mean for the Food and Drug Administration? Has Merck solved the PCSK9 access issue? And how much credit can the president take for lowering GLP-1 drug prices?
Dean Li, the head of R&D at Merck, joins us to discuss the long-awaited trial results for the company's oral medicine targeting PCSK9 to lower cholesterol. These types of treatments have proven effective at
377: Melodrama at the FDA and the Pfizer-Novo bidding war
On a jam-packed show, your co-hosts, minus the vacationing Allison DeAngelis, chat with STAT’s D.C. correspondent Lizzy Lawrence about a slow-boiling feud between Vinay Prasad, the head of the FDA’s biologics and vaccine branch, and his staff that has triggered even more exits and plunging morale.
On the drug side of the agency, we dish on the shocking exit of director George Tidmarsh after he wa
376: BridgeBio’s great week and Moderna’s unraveling
Has BridgeBio’s business model worked? How are executives at Moderna dealing with the company’s slump? And who will the hosts dress up as for Halloween?
We discuss all that on this week’s episode of the “The Readout LOUD,” STAT’s biotech podcast. We bring on BridgeBio CEO Neil Kumar to discuss the company’s positive Phase 3 readouts and our colleague Jason Mast to discuss Moderna’s struggles foll
375: Startups push the FDA and biotech booms in North Carolina
Can Trump take credit for North Carolina's booming biopharma industry? Which drugs could get a shortcut to the market? And who wore a tuxedo to the STAT Summit?
We discuss all that and more in the latest episode of "The Readout LOUD."Elaine is out this week, so Adam and Allison dive into the latest news in the life science industry together, including the two companies pushing the Food and Drug A
374: Veteran biotech executive Clive Meanwell on drug pricing and the obesity market
On this week’s episode of “The Readout LOUD”: an interview with veteran biotech executive and company founder Clive Meanwell. Pfizer recently acquired one of Meanwell’s companies, the obesity drug developer Metsera, for just under $5 billion.
Meanwell offered his perspectives on the evolving obesity drug market, and continued need for drugs to treat diseases with large prevalence, which he’s doin
373: Party in biotech land and AstraZeneca’s miscalculation
Where did former vaccine regulator Peter Marks find a new job? How did a math error cost AstraZeneca a rare disease candidate? And is biotech back?
We discuss all that on this week’s episode of the “The Readout LOUD,” STAT’s biotech podcast. We bring on Mizuho health care strategist Jared Holz to discuss the rebound in biotech stocks and sentiment.
We also talk about Marks’ new role at Eli Lilly
372: A pharma C-suite shakeup and Trump's deal with Pfizer
How will we look back on Emma Walmsley's tenure as GSK's CEO? Why did one of the FDA's top drug officials call out an obscure lupus drug on LinkedIn? And will we ever stop talking about the pharma patent cliff?Adam is out this week, so Allison and Elaine dive into the latest news, starting with another biotech acquisition and a new CEO at GSK. Then, they invite health policy researcher Stacie Duse
371: A gene therapy success in Huntington's and Trump's autism announcement
We bring on UniQure CEO Matt Kapusta to discuss the company's announcement this week that its one-time treatment for Huntington’s disease significantly slowed down the neurological condition in a key study.
We also chat about the Trump's administration initiatives on autism. Officials this week warned pregnant women not to take Tylenol, saying that it may cause autism, and they announced an FDA d
370: Pharma sours on the U.K., plus biotech M&A's quiet roll
STAT's European correspondent Andrew Joseph calls in from the U.K. to the podcast to dissect why companies like Merck and GSK are putting their money elsewhere.
We also discuss the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, or ACIP, meeting and biotech M&A, including Roche's $3.5 billion acquisition of 89bio and its MASH drug, announced this week.
369: Trump, Chinese biotech, and an industry career reshaped by illness
Listeners of this podcast probably know pharma consultant Mike Rea for his annual ranking of drug company R&D productivity. But this week, he penned a poignant personal essay explaining how some medical setbacks have impacted his professional life. He joins us to discuss.
But first, President Trump is considering a significant crackdown on drugs invented in China, according to a recent report in
368: New stakes in the vaccine dispute and a boost for biotech
Labor Day is in the rearview mirror, and that means Adam, Elaine, and Allison are all back to work. They take the pulse of the biotech market and discuss forthcoming data readouts at two sleep and lung disorder conferences. But first, they discuss the bubbling uncertainty in the vaccine field.
367: The ouster of CDC's director, biotech venture firm rankings
We bring on Washington correspondent Chelsea Cirruzzo to explain the ouster of CDC Cirector Susan Monarez and the resignations of other top officials.
We also chat about STAT's annual VC rankings report, as well as ongoing issues at a major drug manufacturing site that was owned by Catalent and now owned by Novo Nordisk.
366: Viking’s obesity flop, ‘pharma to table’ drug sales
On this week’s episode of “The Readout LOUD”: vikings. No, not the seafaring Norse people of the 10th century, or the Minnesota football team. The gang will discuss obesity drug developer Viking Therapeutics and the investor cult that embraces it, both of which performed a painful belly flop this week.
Then, we’ll dish on the growing “pharm to table” movement. That’s the clever buzzphrase bandied
365: Vinay Prasad’s return, animal testing alternatives, and mRNA upended
We discuss the sudden return of Prasad and the mixed prospects for mRNA. Then, we invite STAT fellow Marissa Russo on to discuss the alternatives to animal testing, and why they’re the subject of hot debate among scientists.
364: Closing a zombie biotech, and Lilly's disappointing obesity readout
We bring on Natalie Holles, who was the CEO of Third Harmonic Bio, which recently decided to dissolve and return cash to shareholders. She walks us through why the company has decided to do this and her advice for other biotech CEOs.
We also chat about a disappointing readout from Eli Lilly's key small molecule GLP-1 candidate, setbacks in Vertex's pain business, and the story behind Replimmune's
363: What Vinay Prasad’s ouster means for biotech and the FDA
This week’s show is focused on a single topic — the ouster of Food and Drug Administration official Vinay Prasad from his job running the agency’s biologics division. This surprising development came after a series of controversial decisions he made on Sarepta’s gene therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy and a barrage of political attacks from conservative voices.
We bring on Brian Skorney, s
362: A mother’s perspective on Sarepta’s gene therapy halt
We bring on a mother whose 7-year-old has Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and hear her thoughts on Sarepta’s decision to pull its treatment Elevidys from the market, following a request from the Food and Drug Administration. We also talk about a rare mega-round for a new oncology biotech and an emerging class of drugs aimed at helping people stay awake.
361: Inside an FDA drug rejection, and layoffs at Sarepta
Just how many employees is Sarepta Therapeutics laying off? And why did the Food and Drug Administration reject Ultragenyx’s rare disease drug over manufacturing qualms?
Ultragenyx CEO Emil Kakkis joins us to discuss what was in the rejection letter his company received late last week, and whether he still has confidence in FDA Commissioner Marty Makary. We also discuss Capricor’s drug rejection
360: NIH grant cuts, FDA transparency questions and biotech M&A
On this week’s episode of the Readout LOUD: A closer look at the NIH’s grant-cutting legal playbook, a not-so-transparent transparency push by the FDA commissioner, and another big biotech acquisition.
Our colleague Anil Oza joins us to unravel a previously unseen memo he obtained from HHS that lays out the legal framework being used to justify the termination of NIH grants. The disclosure comes
359: Vaccine policy frays, CDC nominee in the hot seat, & obesity drug side effects
We invite STAT’s senior writer for infectious diseases, Helen Branswell, and Washington correspondent Chelsea Cirruzzo on to the podcast to discuss the latest news at the CDC. The agency is in the spotlight once again, after the Senate grilled the potential head of the agency at a confirmation hearing and its federal vaccine advisory committee met for the first time after Robert F. Kennedy Jr. fir
358: FDA's gene therapy turmoil, and an alternative model for funding research
We discuss the tragic news that a second teenage boy with Duchenne muscular dystrophy died after taking Sarepta Therapeutics' gene therapy, raising renewed questions about the FDA's standards for approving drugs.We look at the continued turmoil within the FDA, including the forced dismissal of top gene therapy regulator Nicole Verdun, as well as the announcement of a controversial drug-review vouc
357: The upheaval of CDC's vaccine panel, and drug pricing confusion
First, we chat about how pharma companies still don’t have much clarity on Trump’s most-favored nation drug pricing policy, biotech’s next big takeout target, and more. Then we bring on Kathryn Edwards, a vaccine expert and a former member of the CDC advisory panel, to parse through the turmoil.
356: An AI experiment at the FDA & Novo trailing in the obesity drug race
The FDA has rolled out an internal AI tool called Elsa that, unlike its namesake Disney character, can’t seem to let go of mistakes. Our colleague Brittany Trang joins to explain. And it’s always a fun podcast when we can discuss a biotech acquisition. This week, we’ll chat about Sanofi’s $9 billion offer for Blueprint Medicines. But first, our cohost Elaine Chen has a new story published this wee
355: Moderna’s vaccine hit, the MAHA report, and an ASCO preview
The American Society of Clinical Oncology, or ASCO, kicks off its annual meeting this weekend in Chicago. We discuss what to watch at the meeting. Then, STAT’s infectious disease reporter Helen Branswell joins us to discuss RFK Jr.’s unprecedented move to strike Covid shot recommendations, and the cancellation of a $600 million contract with Moderna to develop, test and license vaccines for subtyp
354: Uncertainty in CRISPR world and the start of more M&A
We chat about M&A deals picking up, leadership changes at Novo, and recent FDA advisory committee meetings for cancer drugs. We also bring on STAT reporter Jason Mast to talk about the latest research and sentiment at the annual American Society of Cell and Gene Therapy meeting.
353: Trump's drug-pricing plan and a potential Theranos 2.0
We chat about the mixed sentiment in biotech markets these days and a new blood-testing company formed by Elizabeth Holmes' husband. We also bring on STAT's D.C. correspondent Daniel Payne to talk about President Trump's "most-favored nation" drug pricing policy and health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s recent congressional hearing.
352: A firebrand takes oversight of vaccines, gene therapies
Matt Herper joins Adam and Allison to examine Prasad's appointment and the band of outsiders now in charge of U.S. health agencies. He and Adam debate just how disruptive Prasad's tenure could be.
351: It's gonna be May (in biotech)
On this week’s episode of the Readout LOUD, we review President Trump’s first 100 days, the return of biotech M&A, strong drug launches, and Eli Lilly’s PBM problem.
The first 100 days of the Trump administration have had a profound impact on federal health agencies, medical research, health policy and the biotech and pharmaceuticals industries. To help us make sense of all the cuts and policy s
350: Pharma tariffs, and a 'sunshine day' for biotech stocks
How did Ireland become a hotspot for pharmaceutical manufacturing? What are the products that will come out of Flagship's latest startup centered around "preemptive medicine"? And who among the co-hosts is the best singer?
We discuss all that and more on this week’s episode of “The Readout LOUD,” STAT’s biotech podcast. We chat about the recent bounceback in biotech stocks, disappointing results f
349: BIO's John Crowley on RFK Jr. and tariffs, plus calls for more federal biotech funding
John Crowley, the CEO of industry lobbying group BIO, joins us to discuss the layoffs at the Food and Drug Administration, RFK Jr.'s comments on Novavax's Covid-19 vaccine, and how the trade group is communicating with the Trump administration. Then we discuss the latest news on the stock market and a congressional advisory group's recommendation that $15 billion be invested in U.S. biotechnology
348: Cuts, ousters and drama at the FDA
STAT’s FDA reporter Lizzy Lawrence joins to discuss her inside-the-agency reporting on how Robert F. Kennedy Jr. forced top FDA officials to resign at a time when newly sworn-in FDA Commissioner Makary is still figuring out how to get around the agency’s White Oak campus in suburban Maryland. Then: AstraZeneca presented positive mid-stage results this week on a PCSK9 pill that dramatically lowered
347: More HHS upheaval, 23andMe's bankruptcy, and AI for cancer survival
Adam, Elaine, and Allison discuss the Trump administration’s plan for huge job cuts and a restructuring of the country’s top health care agencies, the approval of the first drug to treat a devastating rare disease, and the bankruptcy of 23andMe. Then, they bring on the chief executive of startup Altis Labs to discuss new data from a study they conducted with AstraZeneca on an AI tool for cancer dr
346: Zealand's obesity strategy and Immunovant's curious development plan
We chat about positive data from Immunovant's autoimmune drug candidate, a patient death linked to Sarepta's gene therapy, and dispatches from our STAT Breakthrough Summit East in New York. We also bring on Zealand Pharma CEO Adam Steensberg to talk about his company’s amylin-targeting obesity treatment, the partnership deal it recently signed with Roche, and his thoughts on the industry's intense
345: The sudden withdrawal of a CDC nominee and what went wrong with Covid policies
We bring on our colleague Sarah Owermohle to discuss the White House's sudden move to withdraw the nomination of Dave Weldon as its pick to run the CDC just hours before Weldon's confirmation hearing. It's also the five-year anniversary of the Covid-19 pandemic. We chat with Princeton political scientist Frances Lee about a new book she co-authored that offers an unflinching assessment of the U.S.
344: Trump's FDA commissioner nominee takes the hot seat
Will Marty Makary be confirmed as the next commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration? Will he bring back employees laid off by DOGE? And what did he get wrong during his confirmation hearing? We discuss all that and more during this week's special episode.
343: Turbulence at the FDA, Bluebird Bio's sale and young biotech VCs
It’s a STAT reporter two-fer guest episode. First, Lizzy Lawrence joins from D.C. to dish on the upheaval and drama taking place at the FDA. Then, we chat with Jason Mast about Bluebird Bio, its fire sale to private equity and what lies ahead for the unsettled world of genetic medicines. Before those discussions, Allison provides some insight into the “new kids” on the biotech VC block.
342: FDA cuts, zombie biotechs, and too much weight loss?
Mizuho analyst Jared Holz joins to discuss Adam's column on biotech's dark period. We also talk about Elaine's latest article on the push for greater and greater weight loss from obesity drugs, along with developments at Solid Biosciences and federal job cuts.
341: NIH funding cuts, a U.S. brain drain, and bold claims from AI drug developers
We bring on biotech reporter Jonathan Wosen to discuss the NIH's decision to dramatically cut funding for overhead costs paid to research institutions and the potential implications for U.S. biomedical innovation. We also chat with health tech reporter Brittany Trang about the claims that two drug developers, Absci and Generate:Biomedicines, have made about the capabilities of their artificial int
340: Crisis in CRISPR world, RFK Jr.'s promises, and a novel non-opioid pain drug
We bring on our colleague Jason Mast to discuss the dramatic downturn in the once-swaggering field of CRISPR gene editing. We also talk about the advancement of RFK Jr.'s nomination to be HHS secretary, the latest pharma earnings, and the approval of a non-opioid pain drug from Vertex Pharmaceuticals.
339: RFK Jr.'s confirmation hearings, MASH drugs, and a controversial obesity ad
Our colleague Rachel Cohrs Zhang joins us to break down RFK Jr.’s confirmation hearings, including some contentious questions about vaccines and autism from Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.). But first, we chat about Akero Therapeutics and the results reported this week from a study of its experimental drug that showed, for the first time, reversal of cirrhosis in patients with
338: Chinese biotechs, a WHO departure, and post-JPM thoughts
We go over our closing thoughts from the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference, including the chatter around Chinese drugs and a surprise run-in with a past cohost. Then, STAT's infectious disease reporter Helen Branswell joins us to explain the implications of Trump's decision to pull the U.S. out of the WHO.
337: Eli Lilly CEO on Trump, obesity drugs, and a guidance miss
We're live at the J.P Morgan Healthcare Conference in San Francisco! We bring on Eli Lilly CEO Dave Ricks for a wide-ranging conversation about his views on the incoming Trump administration, the effects of Medicare's drug price negotiation, Lilly's recent disappointing guidance, pricing of the company's obesity medication Zepbound, and more. We also discuss the latest news from the J.P. Morgan co
336: Pharma's big patent cliff, more obesity fundraising, and a failed ALS study
We chat about how pharmaceutical companies are navigating a looming patent cliff. We also talk about yet another obesity startup and a failed study from Google’s secretive anti-aging company Calico.
335: A deep dive on Makary, Vertex's pain data, & 2025 predictions
STAT's FDA reporter Lizzy Lawrence joins us to discuss her profile of Marty Makary, Trump's nominee for FDA commissioner. Then, we discuss the results of Vertex's latest pain drug trial, the medication launches to watch in 2025, and present our burning questions for the biopharma industry.
334: Pharma silence on RFK Jr. & parents trying to develop gene therapies for their children
Washington correspondent John Wilkerson joins to discuss why drugmakers have not lobbied against Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s nomination to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, despite his repeated criticisms of the pharmaceutical industry. We also bring on our colleague Jason Mast to talk about the major hurdles in the field of gene therapy and how one father is trying to overcome them.
333: An H5N1 bird flu update and talent scarcity in the radiopharma field
You might not be paying attention, or maybe you just hope it goes away. We’re referring to the serious bird flu outbreak that started a bit more than eight months ago. Well, bird flu is still here and the number of reported cases in people is growing. STAT’s infectious disease reporter Helen Branswell joins us for an update. But first, we break down the results from a GLP-1 showdown study that com
332: Pfizer's new R&D head, a VC deep-dive, and a new FDA commissioner?
Atlas Venture Partner Bruce Booth joins the podcast to discuss his annual year in review report, the influence of China, and what the new Trump administration might mean for innovation. Adam and Allison also recap the latest news in the life sciences, including a new science chief at Pfizer, a new job for Ned Sharpless, and the ongoing presidential appointments.
331: AbbVie’s stumble, Amgen’s tumble and more election fallout
Why are AbbVie executives feeling the M&A blues? What does it take to slice $12 billion from Amgen’s market value? And why are STAT’s D.C. correspondents working so hard?
We talk about all that and more on this week’s episode of the “The Readout LOUD,” STAT’s biotech podcast. It’s a “Chatty Cathy” episode! Elaine, Allison and Adam lead off with a discussion about AbbVie’s M&A miscue following the
330: How a Trump presidency could affect the FDA, the biotech industry, and its stocks
To dig into how the election results could affect all things biopharma, we brought on three guests for this episode: Lizzy Lawrence, STAT’s FDA reporter, Baird analyst Brian Skorney, and longtime biotech executive Daphne Zohar.
329: Lilly's earnings surprise, investors mull the election, & a spooky ghost story
Adam, Allison, and Elaine get into the Halloween spirit this week, discussing their favorite candies — and Eli Lilly and Pfizer's surprise earnings reports. Then, they discuss what a Trump or Harris presidency could mean for health care and the biopharma industry, and what investors and biopharma executives think about either outcome.
328: Pfizer's activist troubles, gene therapy questions, RFK Jr.'s MAHA ambitions
Will an activist investor campaign against Pfizer lead to big changes at the struggling Pharma giant? Why are some experts questioning the regulatory standards used to approve gene therapies for Duchenne muscular dystrophy? What’s the difference between Novo Holdings and Novo Nordisk, and will it impact a $16 billion acquisition of Catalent? And what lies ahead for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and the Ma
327: Biotech's next gold rush, GLP-1 shortages, and STAT Summit highlights
Elaine, Allison, and Adam chat about investors' interest in using CAR-T to treat autoimmune conditions, the latest developments with the supply of Eli Lilly’s blockbuster weight loss drug, and the invisible medical groups behind the dozens of telehealth platforms providing GLP-1 drugs. They also look back at STAT's two-day summit that brought together biopharma executives, scientists, policymakers
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