The Readout Loud

Eli Lilly’s investigational medicine for Alzheimer’s met its goals in an all-important clinical trial, and we explain the results, their implications, and the backstory of what could be a blockbuster drug. We also discuss the latest news in the life sciences, including a busy week of earnings, a long-awaited FDA approval, and the highlights from STAT’s Breakthrough Summit in San Francisco.

Andrew Joseph, STAT's Europe correspondent, joins us to explain the EU's sweeping proposal to overhaul how new drugs are regulated on the continent — and why the pharmaceutical industry is fighting it. We also discuss the latest news in the life sciences, including Lilly's surging business, a pair of new drug approvals, and a novel idea in Alzheimer's disease.

Our colleague Helen Branswell joins us to explain the latest news on Covid-19 boosters and the implications of a Marburg outbreak in Equatorial Guinea. Then we dive into the long history of a gene therapy from Sarepta Therapeutics, a polarizing medicine that promises to change the lives of patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. We also break down the rest of the week’s biggest news in biopharma, including some billion-dollar deals and the retirement of perhaps the most storied executive in the business.

Jeremy Levin, CEO of Ovid Therapeutics, joins us to discuss a judge’s decision to overturn the FDA approval of an abortion pill and why he believes it’s the biggest threat to the biopharma industry in 50 years. We also cover the biggest news in the week of biopharma, including an update from Moderna, dispatches from a trip to FDA headquarters, and who Sen. Bernie Sanders has in his sights next.

Our colleague Matthew Herper joins us for a deep dive into Illumina, explaining how the biggest company in genome sequencing lost the faith of shareholders and painted itself into a corner. We’ll also discuss the latest news in the life sciences, including a look at what’s ahead in biotech for the second quarter of the year, and why Johnson & Johnson investors are happy the company is proposing to part with $9 billion.

We explain how biotech is affected by a bizarre situation involving smuggled monkeys, international intrigue, and a criminal investigation. We also discuss what leads to generic drug shortages, whether every major pharmaceutical firm needs a weight-loss drug, and what it means when drug company cancels a conference appearance.

We discuss the theatrical merits and actual implications of Moderna CEO Stéphane Bancel's appearance before a committee led by Sen. Bernie Sanders. We also talk about the latest news in the life sciences, including Regeneron Pharmaceuticals' latest data for its powerhouse drug Dupixent, an about-face for Sarepta Therapeutics, and how the FDA appears to view biomarkers in neurological diseases.

STAT reporter Bob Herman joins us to explain how treatment algorithms powered by artificial intelligence are being used more frequently by Medicare Advantage plans to deny claims, even when continued treatment is medically justified. We’ll also discuss the latest news in the life sciences, including the continued fallout of the run on Silicon Valley Bank, the return of Carl Icahn, and a long-awaited pharmaceutical megadeal.

FDA Commissioner Robert Califf joins to discuss his first year on the job, the future of drug approvals, and how Duke basketball will do without Coach K. Then STAT’s Elaine Chen explains how powerful new weight loss medicines are reshaping medicine, the drug industry, and the society at large. We also discuss the latest news in the life sciences, including the results of a new Alzheimer's disease study and a potential breakthrough in cardiovascular medicine.

Our colleague Allison DeAngelis joins us to explain how the latest CRISPR breakthrough is shaping up to be a free-for-all among a multitude of companies and labs, including some of the biggest names in biotech. We also discuss the latest news in the life sciences, including Eli Lilly slashing the cost of insulin, succession at the FDA, and how pandemic boom times have turned to bust.