274: Covid’s latest surge, Alnylam at the FDA, & the end of an era
Sep 14, 2023
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Helen Branswell discusses the state of the pandemic and rollout of booster shots for Covid-19. They also talk about an IPO implosion, a debate at the FDA, and the ups and downs of a career in biotech.
COVID-19 booster shots aim to protect against new strains and prevent severe disease, but there is disagreement on who should receive them.
An FDA advisory panel voted in favor of Alnihilum's treatment for ATTR CM, despite debate on its clinical relevance and drug efficacy.
Deep dives
COVID-19 boosters and the vaccination campaign
The podcast discusses the updated COVID-19 booster shots being rolled out across the country and how it might impact the ongoing vaccination campaign. The vaccines from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna have been approved by the FDA and recommended by CDC advisors for all Americans aged six months and older. The boosters aim to provide protection against new strains of the virus and help prevent severe disease and hospitalization. The podcast also mentions the debate and disagreement surrounding who should receive the boosters and the potential for another surge in COVID-19 cases during the colder months.
FDA advisory panel on Alnihilum's treatment
The podcast highlights an FDA advisory panel's vote in favor of a new treatment for a progressive cardiovascular disease called ATTR CM. While the panel voted that the benefits outweigh the risks, there was nuanced discussion about the evidence presented by Alnihilum. The FDA seemed skeptical about the drug's efficacy, as the improvement in patients' walking ability was just 14.7 meters, leading to debate on the clinical relevance of the results. However, it is likely that Alnihilum will receive FDA approval, expanding the current approval for a different form of the disease.
Restructuring and leadership change at Bluebird Bio/270 Bio
The podcast covers the recent restructuring announcement and leadership change at Bluebird Bio and its spun-out company, 270 Bio. The reduction in force and departure of CEO Nick Leschley raises questions about the future of both companies. While Bluebird Bio achieved milestones in gene therapy and CAR-T therapy development, the business and operational aspects faced challenges, leading to shareholder concerns. The podcast mentions the importance of diversity in pipelines and the implications for the biotech industry.
The landscape of obesity drug development
The podcast introduces an obesity drug development database created by STAT, providing insights into the growing number of weight loss treatments in development. The database highlights over 70 potential medicines targeting obesity and identifies companies actively involved in this field. The discussion mentions the potential for acquisitions in the obesity drug market and the need to rethink end points and approaches in obesity drug development. The podcast emphasizes the complexity of obesity treatment and the variability in demand for weight loss drugs.
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.
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