The Readout Loud

We discuss Bristol Myers Squibb's multibillion-dollar acquisition of Mirati Therapeutics and what it means for a biotech sector still in a slump. We also explain the latest news in the life sciences, including Wall Street's freakout over GLP-1, CRISPR'ing animals, and the latest in the NASH saga.

It's Nobel week on the podcast, and reporter Megan Molteni details the unique story of this year's winners for medicine, Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman. Then, our colleague Jason Mast joins us to explain the scientific and ethical quandaries facing the teams attempting to develop HIV vaccines.

Our colleague Elaine Chen joins us to explain the story of Svetlana Mojsov, a chemist who played a vital role in the discovery of GLP-1 who has spent decades fighting for proper recognition. We also discuss the latest news in the life sciences, including the FDA hearing on a BrainStorm Cell Therapeutics' polarizing ALS treatment, the end of the road for a once-vaunted drug developer, and the sorry state of biotech stocks.

Our colleague Lizzy Lawrence joins us to explain the promise of artificial wombs and the debate over how to ethically develop them. We also discuss a momentous upcoming meeting in which FDA will consider the thorny case of a potential medicine for ALS whose supporting evidence has polarized patients and physicians.

Our colleague Helen Branswell joins us to discuss the state of the Covid-19 pandemic heading into the fall and the rollout of boosters shots aimed at the latest viral variants. We also discuss the latest news in the life sciences, including an IPO implosion, a debate at the FDA, and the ups and downs of a career in biotech.

Josh Schimmer and Eric Schmidt, two longtime analysts teaming up at Cantor Fitzgerald, join us for a back-to-school conversation as biotech enters the busy back third of 2023. We also discuss the latest news in the life sciences, including some scientific evolution at Biogen, new leadership at Illumina, and the future of CRISPR medicine.

We discuss how Vivek Ramaswamy, fresh off his headline-grabbing debut at the first Republican presidential debate, went from a drug industry entrepreneur to a GOP rising star — and how his former biotech colleagues are reacting to it. We also explain the latest news in the life sciences, including a curious data leak and the family business of a famed biotech inventor.

Our colleague Jason Mast joins us to explain how the approval of a landmark gene therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy set in motion a frantic race to get children treated before their 6th birthdays. Then, HSBC Managing Director Jonathan Norris calls in to discuss why so many biotech startups are facing financial bridges to nowhere.

In the wake of a massively important clinical trial of Novo Nordisk's obesity drug Wegovy, our colleague Elaine Chen joins us to explain what we know and don't know about data that could change the practice of medicine. Then, Mizuho Securities biotech strategist Jared Holz calls in to discuss whether explosive popularity of obesity treatments could help create the first trillion-dollar drug company.

First, we discuss how some recent layoffs and a reverse merger mean for biotech in 2023. We'll also discuss the latest news in the life sciences, including a dramatic saga in ocular medicine, the volatile business of Covid-19, and some major milestones in gene therapy.

First, we discuss why Wall Street was less than convinced by Biogen's attempt to assuage concerns about its credibility. Then we explain an insider trading scandal that bridges biotech and elite-level soccer, the latest concerns over Wegovy, and the rest of the week's news in the life sciences. We also break some bittersweet news, with the help of some headline names from around biotech.

Neil Kumar, CEO of BridgeBio, joins us to talk about how his small company came to develop what could be a big drug — and why classical Greek literature remains relevant. We also discuss the latest news in the life sciences, including the abrupt resignation of the celebrity scientist who led Stanford University and the implications of tornado damage at a Pfizer plant.

Our colleague Megan Molteni joins us to explain the evolving science suggesting products like Wegovy are less weight loss drugs than treatments for human desire. We also explain why this summer is shaping up to be a pivotal moment for the treatment of Alzheimer's and discuss our befuddlement with the latest social media platform.

Our colleague Elaine Chen joins us to explain how the era of Wegovy could be short-lived in light of powerful new weight-loss medicines from Eli Lilly. Then, John Jacobs, the new CEO of Novavax, stops by to explain his plan to right the ship at a company that has struggled to make the most of its potent Covid-19 vaccine.

Our colleague Bob Herman joins us to explain his year-long investigation into some brazen conflicts of interest in the world of prescription drug pricing. Then, STAT's Helen Branswell calls in to walk us through a news-packed week for vaccines, including weighty decisions for Covid-19 and RSV.

Our colleague Allison DeAngelis joins us to share her reporting on how the handsomely funded Laronde Therapeutics, billed as “Moderna 2.0,” ran into behind-the-scenes problems with its scientific data. We also discuss how Biogen's boardroom scandal has roiled a company that was supposed to be entering a new era.

STAT Washington correspondent Rachel Cohrs joins us to explain Merck's lawsuit against the federal government and why the company believes drug pricing negotiation is “tantamount to extortion." We also discuss the health effects of Canadian wildfires, the highlights of the year's biggest cancer research conference, and what could be a watershed moment in the treatment of Alzheimer's.

Our colleague Lizzy Lawrence joins us to explain the shocking story of a medical device company that sold fake implants and the warped system that made the scam lucrative. We'll also preview the year's biggest cancer research meeting and discuss a surprising twist with novel weight loss medicines.

As hospitals and health care companies are racing to implement large language models like ChatGPT into their businesses, STAT reporter Casey Ross joins us to explain what experts want the world to know before embracing generative AI. We also discuss the latest twist for Sarepta Therapeutics and the quest to develop more potent weight loss medicines.

Jared Holz, biotech strategist at Mizuho Securities, joins us to explain why federal regulators are suing to block Amgen's $28 billion merger with Horizon Therapeutics and what it means for the drug industry. We also discuss the latest on Sarepta Therapeutics and its gene therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a turnaround story in the making at the Belgian drug maker Galapagos, and the effort to secure approval for a maternal RSV vaccine.

We discuss a Senate hearing that put major pharma CEOs in the same room with the middlemen they love to blame for rising drug prices, with mixed results. We also explain what is a massive week for Sarepta Therapeutics, the FDA, and the future of gene therapies for rare diseases, plus the latest news in the life sciences.

Eli Lilly's investigational medicine for Alzheimer's met its goals in an all-important clinical trial, and we explain the results, their implications, and the backstory of what could be a blockbuster drug. We also discuss the latest news in the life sciences, including a busy week of earnings, a long-awaited FDA approval, and the highlights from STAT's Breakthrough Summit in San Francisco.

Andrew Joseph, STAT's Europe correspondent, joins us to explain the EU's sweeping proposal to overhaul how new drugs are regulated on the continent — and why the pharmaceutical industry is fighting it. We also discuss the latest news in the life sciences, including Lilly's surging business, a pair of new drug approvals, and a novel idea in Alzheimer's disease.

Our colleague Helen Branswell joins us to explain the latest news on Covid-19 boosters and the implications of a Marburg outbreak in Equatorial Guinea. Then we dive into the long history of a gene therapy from Sarepta Therapeutics, a polarizing medicine that promises to change the lives of patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. We also break down the rest of the week's biggest news in biopharma, including some billion-dollar deals and the retirement of perhaps the most storied executive in the business.

Jeremy Levin, CEO of Ovid Therapeutics, joins us to discuss a judge's decision to overturn the FDA approval of an abortion pill and why he believes it's the biggest threat to the biopharma industry in 50 years. We also cover the biggest news in the week of biopharma, including an update from Moderna, dispatches from a trip to FDA headquarters, and who Sen. Bernie Sanders has in his sights next.

Our colleague Matthew Herper joins us for a deep dive into Illumina, explaining how the biggest company in genome sequencing lost the faith of shareholders and painted itself into a corner. We'll also discuss the latest news in the life sciences, including a look at what's ahead in biotech for the second quarter of the year, and why Johnson & Johnson investors are happy the company is proposing to part with $9 billion.

We explain how biotech is affected by a bizarre situation involving smuggled monkeys, international intrigue, and a criminal investigation. We also discuss what leads to generic drug shortages, whether every major pharmaceutical firm needs a weight-loss drug, and what it means when drug company cancels a conference appearance.

We discuss the theatrical merits and actual implications of Moderna CEO Stéphane Bancel's appearance before a committee led by Sen. Bernie Sanders. We also talk about the latest news in the life sciences, including Regeneron Pharmaceuticals' latest data for its powerhouse drug Dupixent, an about-face for Sarepta Therapeutics, and how the FDA appears to view biomarkers in neurological diseases.

STAT reporter Bob Herman joins us to explain how treatment algorithms powered by artificial intelligence are being used more frequently by Medicare Advantage plans to deny claims, even when continued treatment is medically justified. We'll also discuss the latest news in the life sciences, including the continued fallout of the run on Silicon Valley Bank, the return of Carl Icahn, and a long-awaited pharmaceutical megadeal.

FDA Commissioner Robert Califf joins to discuss his first year on the job, the future of drug approvals, and how Duke basketball will do without Coach K. Then STAT's Elaine Chen explains how powerful new weight loss medicines are reshaping medicine, the drug industry, and the society at large. We also discuss the latest news in the life sciences, including the results of a new Alzheimer's disease study and a potential breakthrough in cardiovascular medicine.

Our colleague Allison DeAngelis joins us to explain how the latest CRISPR breakthrough is shaping up to be a free-for-all among a multitude of companies and labs, including some of the biggest names in biotech. We also discuss the latest news in the life sciences, including Eli Lilly slashing the cost of insulin, succession at the FDA, and how pandemic boom times have turned to bust.

STAT's Ed Silverman joins us to explain how an escalating fight between Vertex Pharmaceuticals and insurance companies has left patients and families caught in the middle. We also discuss the latest news in the life sciences, including the demise of a one-time unicorn, Moderna's difficult second act, and an official biotech presidential run.

Vas Narasimhan, CEO of Novartis and the new chairman of PhRMA, joins us to discuss the industry's struggles in Washington and whether the deflated biotech sector is still overvalued. We also dive into the latest news in the life sciences, including Moderna's promise of no-cost Covid-19 vaccines and biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy's potential run for president.

Helen Branswell, STAT's senior writer covering infectious disease, joins us to explain the sudden resurgence of a bird flu virus called H5N1 and why experts are watching the situation closely.

STAT Washington correspondent Rachel Cohrs joins us to explain the looming end of Covid-19's status as a federal emergency and what that does and doesn't mean for public health. We also dig into the most interesting stories from a busy week of pharmaceutical earnings and discuss a legal setback for Johnson & Johnson.

George Scangos, the CEO of Vir Biotechnology, joins us to discuss his retirement and offer some perspective and lessons from a remarkable, 40-year career in biotech. We also chat about the latest news in the life sciences, including an FDA advisory meeting debating the necessity for annual Covid vaccinations, and a surprising, but perhaps not, rejection of Eli Lilly's Alzheimer's disease treatment.

Journalist Nathan Vardi joins us to talk about his new book delving into the race to develop the lifesaving cancer drug now called Imbruvica, involving a Scientologist CEO and secretive investor seeking redemption after the worst trade of his life. We also discuss the latest news in the life sciences, including new vaccines for a vexing infection and the future of mRNA.

With the 2023 J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference drawing to a close, we look back on the biggest news of the meeting, what it means for the year in biotech ahead, and whether the industry's biggest annual gathering might finally have outgrown its host city.

First, we delve into a sweeping congressional investigation into the FDA's approval of the last treatment for Alzheimer's disease and what it means for the next one. We also preview the upcoming J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference and the biggest biotech events of 2023.

We look back on the biggest biotech stories of 2022 and how, despite some meaningful advances in Alzheimer's disease and gene therapy, the industry seems stuck in a sentiment rut. We also discuss the latest news in the life sciences, including a pair of indicted CEOs and the debate over how much an oft-debated new medicine should cost.

Katie Palmer, STAT's health tech correspondent, joins us to explain how the explosive popularity of telehealth is putting sensitive patient information into the hands of Facebook, TikTok, and other big tech firms. We also discuss the latest news in the life sciences, including highlights from a big hematology conference, a disastrous biotech IPO, and the downside of being a good quote.

STAT's Elaine Chen joins us to explain how the escalating demand for a potent diabetes drug is putting patients with obesity in a difficult situation. We also discuss a curious trend in biotech investing, the future of Illumina, and another sentencing in the Theranos saga.

STAT Washington correspondent Rachel Cohrs joins us to explain how PhRMA, the all-powerful lobbying group, lost its edge in a fight over drug-pricing negotiation. Damian gives us the inside scoop on CTAD, the big Alzheimer's disease research conference, where Eisai and Biogen presented groundbreaking data on their treatment called lecanemab. We also discuss the FDA approval of a microbiome drug for the treatment of a bowel disorder and the potential for a big acquisition of Horizon Therapeutics.

How do Alzheimer's drugs even work? Can biotech people bake? And do we even like one another? Recorded live from the 2022 STAT Summit, we discuss the failure of an Alzheimer's disease treatment from Roche, the unexpected success of a competing one for Eisai, and some unpredictable questions from our audience.

STAT Washington correspondent Sarah Owermohle joins us to explain how this week's midterm elections will affect health and medicine, and what the politicization of the pandemic means for the future of science in the U.S. We also discuss the incoming CEOs of Biogen and Seagen, plus a pair of biotech collapses.

Our colleague Matthew Herper joins us to discuss his thoughtful, personal story on how the biotech revolution that brought us genome editing, Covid-19 vaccines, and lifesaving medicines could run aground if humanity can't get out of its own way.

Our colleague Sarah Owermohle joins us to discuss how pandemic shutdowns, Covid-19 vaccines, and the prospect of arresting Anthony Fauci have become campaign rallying cries in midterm elections. We also discuss the latest news in the life sciences, including the potential effects of federal drug-price negotiation and the virtues of befriending Pharrell Williams.

Lawyer and bioethicist ​​Holly Fernandez Lynch joins us to explain a watershed test of the FDA's authority to revoke drug approvals. And STAT's Helen Branswell calls in to discuss the headline-grabbing research at Boston University involving a lab-developed version of the virus that causes Covid-19.

STAT Washington correspondent Rachel Cohrs joins us to explain the abrupt departure of the CEO of BIO, the lobbying group representing biotech on Capitol Hill, and its wider implications. We also discuss the latest news in the life sciences, including the future of mRNA, a promising startup closing its doors, and Biogen's search for a new CEO.

The newest Nobel laureates got their phone calls from Stockholm this week, and STAT science writer Megan Molteni joins us to explain their prize-winning work in medicine and chemistry. We also discuss the latest news in the life sciences, including the state of biotech dealmaking and the evolution of Amylyx Pharmaceuticals.

Lecanemab, a new Alzheimer's treatment from partners Biogen and Eisai, succeeded in a pivotal clinical trial, and we explain the surprising development and its sweeping implications. Then, oncologist Mikkael Sekeres joins us to talk about his new book, which is a history of the FDA and an insider's look at one of the agency's most contentious drug approval hearings.