Tim Opler, a biotech industry investment banker at Stifel, dives into the meteoric rise of the Chinese biotech sector, which jumped from 0% to 31% in molecules licensed to Big Pharma in just five years. He reveals how returning Chinese research scientists and lower clinical trial costs have driven innovation. The discussion also covers the contrasting drug development dynamics between China and the U.S., with insights on AI’s emerging role in drug discovery and the competitive landscape for pharmaceutical firms.

Biotech Hangout welcomes biotech analysts Josh Schimmer, Tim Opler, Chris Garabedian, Dawn Bell, and guest host Eric Schmidt. They cover topics such as the JPM year in review, XBI performance, Abbvie's acquisition of Cerevel, big GLP-1 deal from Roche and Carmot, AstraZeneca/IRA case, three big investors days from J&J, Sanofi and Neurocrine Biosciences, CVS's drug coverage update, and Eyepoint Pharmaceutical's wet AMD data.

Biotech Hangout's Daphne Zohar, Brad Loncar, Josh Schimmer, Mike Yee & Tim Opler cover the big news: BMS' acquisition of Mirati Therapeutics, 14 biotech acquisitions over $1B, and Illumina ordered to sell Grail after acquisition deal. They discuss data from Akero, Alnylam, Ventyx, Merck, Novo Nordisk, Immunic, and PMV Pharmaceuticals. Takeaways from Jefferies CNS Day and HLTH 2023 are shared.