The Readout Loud

Helen Branswell, an infectious disease reporter for STAT, discusses the alarming measles outbreak in South Carolina, emphasizing risks to overall U.S. health and vaccination disparities. Tara Bannow, a healthcare reporter, explores the financial struggles of nonprofit hospitals, highlighting how Medicaid cuts could lead to service reductions and increased patient costs. The podcast also touches on the implications of recent comments from officials at the JPM Healthcare Conference, shedding light on the intricate relationship between hospitals and regulatory attitudes.

Mike Doustdar, the new CEO of Novo Nordisk, shares insights on his first months at the helm, focusing on the challenge of reclaiming market share in obesity treatments. He discusses a patient-first acquisition strategy and Novo’s recent $10B bid for Metsera. Venture capitalist Bob Nelsen reflects on the importance of relationships in biotech at the J.P. Morgan conference, advocating for faster FDA approvals and the integration of AI in healthcare. Both guests offer exciting glimpses into the future of biotech and the evolving landscape of patient care.

Damian Garde, a reporter at large for STAT and former co-host, joins to dive into the excitement surrounding the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference. He reveals why pharma CEOs are optimistic about upcoming deals and discusses the recent FDA approval of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy pill. The conversation also touches on changes to pediatric immunizations and the landscape of biotech mergers and acquisitions, including the buzz around Revolution Medicines. Garde highlights the evolving pharma sentiments and the impact of White House agreements on pricing and tariffs.

In this discussion, venture capitalist Bruce Booth, a partner at Atlas Venture, shares insights from his annual biotech year-in-review report. He argues that the biotech sector may be rebounding, pointing to recent stock performances and clinical innovations. Booth discusses the potential surge in IPOs for 2026 but cautions about the risks of poor-quality companies going public. He also analyzes the effects of DTC offerings by Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk, which could lead employers to cut funding for weight-loss drugs. Finally, he highlights the changing dynamics in venture capital as AI draws investment away from biotech.

Megan Molteni, an investigative science reporter, and Anil Oza, a fellow science reporter, dive deep into the turmoil at the NIH in their latest discussion. They explore the impacts of federal policy changes on American science and the unsettling loss of trust between researchers and the government. With a focus on reforms, they debate the balance needed between innovation and stability. The conversation also touches on the geopolitical stakes for U.S. scientific leadership and what researchers need to watch for in 2026.

David Olson, director at UC Davis Institute for Psychedelics and co-founder of Delix Therapeutics, delves into groundbreaking research on non-hallucinogenic drugs that promote neuroplasticity. He discusses how these substances may treat depression and anxiety while avoiding the psychedelic ‘trip.’ Olson also explores design challenges in creating these therapies, including safety and abuse potential. He outlines encouraging results from clinical trials on zalzupindol, highlighting rapid antidepressant effects that last well beyond treatment.

Mark Cuban, billionaire entrepreneur and owner of the Dallas Mavericks, discusses his mission to revolutionize health care through his venture, Cost Plus Drugs, aimed at lowering prescription costs. He shares insights on TrumpRx, a direct drug purchasing initiative he champions. Cuban critiques the PBM system for its lack of transparency and discusses how direct-to-consumer pricing can enhance accessibility. He also touches on innovative ideas for financing gene therapies and shares his thoughts on sports betting and its implications.

Dean Li, Head of R&D at Merck, discusses the groundbreaking results of Merck's oral PCSK9 candidate, enlicitide, which shows impressive LDL cholesterol reduction comparable to injectables. He explores the challenges of making effective heart disease treatments more accessible and the potential public health impact of wider adoption. The conversation also touches on FDA leadership changes and hopes for regulatory pathways that prioritize patient access while maintaining safety. Li emphasizes the importance of innovating beyond injectables and targeting new areas in cardiometabolic health.

Lizzy Lawrence, STAT's D.C. correspondent specializing in FDA and health policy, joins to discuss a brewing crisis within the FDA. She reveals leadership disputes between Vinay Prasad and his team, leading to declining morale and multiple staff exits. The shock departure of director George Tidmarsh for allegedly misusing his position adds to the turmoil. The conversation also touches on the heated bidding war between Pfizer and Novo Nordisk for the desirable MetSera assets, highlighting the competitive landscape in the obesity treatment market.

Neil Kumar, the CEO of BridgeBio, shares insights about the company's recent Phase 3 successes and discusses their innovative hub-and-spoke model. He reveals exciting news about the potential full approval for Ripetol and competitive strategies for Atrubi. Meanwhile, STAT reporter Jason Mast dives into Moderna's post-COVID turmoil, examining internal conflicts and the fallout from ambitious expansions. He highlights the challenges ahead for mRNA technology in therapeutics and the impact of political sentiment on the company’s future.