The Readout Loud

Longtime analysts at Cantor Fitzgerald, Josh Schimmer and Eric Schmidt, discuss the biotech industry's current state, including Biogen's potential pivot, new leadership at Illumina, and the future of CRISPR medicine. They also reflect on the appointment of Jane Grogan as the head of research at Biogen and the upcoming FDA advisory panel meeting for a CRISPR-based treatment for sickle cell disease. The episode explores the evolving dynamics of the biotech industry, including challenges in evaluating therapies and industry consolidation.

Discussion on the rise of a biotech entrepreneur turned presidential candidate. Coverage of his debate performance and reactions from former biotech colleagues. Mention of a data leak and the family business of a renowned biotech inventor. Focus on the leaked slide revealing data on Tidget drugs and challenges in immuno-oncology. Exploring the fundraising efforts of biotech firm T dot RX and the close relationships between biotech entrepreneurs and certain funding firms.

Approval of landmark gene therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy initiates a race against time for children to receive treatment before their sixth birthday. Biotech startups face financial challenges. FDA approves first medicine for rare bone disease despite not meeting primary endpoint. Approval and pricing of medicine for rare disease costing $624,000 per year. Gene therapy approval for Dushan Muscular Dystrophy sparks race for treatment. Age restrictions impact access to approved drug for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Shifts at Silicon Valley Bank and HSBC impacting startup banking.

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.