The Readout Loud 347: More HHS upheaval, 23andMe's bankruptcy, and AI for cancer survival
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Mar 27, 2025 Felix Baldov-Lenschen, CEO of Altus Labs, shares insights on his company's innovative AI tool for cancer drug development, called IPRO, which excels in predicting patient survival. The discussion touches on the recent turmoil in health agencies, with job cuts and a significant drug approval for a rare disease. Felix reveals how AI is reshaping oncology, enhancing treatment assessments, and improving clinical trial efficiency. The bankruptcy of 23andMe also emerges as a cautionary tale for biotech, highlighting challenges in the industry.
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HHS Job Cuts
- The Department of Health and Human Services will let go of about 10,000 workers.
- This includes around 3,500 employees from the FDA, nearly one-fifth of its workforce.
Prader-Willi Drug Approval
- Soleno Therapeutics developed the first approved drug for Prader-Willi syndrome.
- This rare genetic disease causes an insatiable desire to eat.
New Drug's Cost and Market
- The drug, set to launch in April, will cost $466,000 annually, based on average patient weight.
- This pricing aligns with other rare disease drugs, presenting a potential billion-dollar market.