The Readout Loud

First, Moderna and Pfizer are poised to make billions of dollars from their Covid-19 vaccines this year, and we discuss what that massive infusion of cash portends for both companies. Next, Thomas Bollyky of the Council on Foreign Relations joins us to explain what the U.S.'s support for waiving Covid-19 vaccine patents means — and doesn’t mean — for the global vaccination effort. Finally, STAT’s Megan Molteni calls in to share the story of a little-known biotech company recruiting patients to Mexico with the promise of an anti-aging gene therapy in an unregulated clinical trial.

First, STAT Washington correspondent Rachel Cohrs joins us to explain why President Biden's endorsement for drug pricing reform rang hollow to many advocates. Next, virologist Angela Rasmussen calls in to discuss the controversy around a Russian-produced vaccine for Covid-19. Finally, STAT's Kate Sheridan joins us to talk about how a shortage of cheap, little-discussed plastic tools is hobbling scientific labs around the world.

First, Northwestern University epidemiologist Mercedes Carnethon joins us to weigh on the nation's latest Covid-19 debate: Is it OK to go maskless outdoors? Then, STAT Washington correspondent Nicholas Florko calls in to talk about why the Biden administration is waiting so long to nominate an FDA commissioner and how that indecision could have real consequences. Later, we discuss the scientific promise of novel treatments for sickle cell disease — and the industry's growing concern that they might not be as lucrative as once thought. And, naturally, we recap the latest news in the Covid-19 vaccine rollout.

How do you describe a one-in-a-million risk? What's heparin-induced thrombocytopenia? And why's it so hard to find drugs for Covid-19? We cover all that and more this week on “The Readout LOUD,” STAT’s biotech podcast. First, Science Magazine reporter Kai Kupferschmidt joins us to discuss the U.S. decision to press pause on the Johnson & Johnson vaccine and what researchers have learned about rare cases of dangerous clotting. Then, biotech analyst Josh Schimmer joins us to talk about why the drug industry has had such a hard time coming up with treatments for Covid-19 and offer some tips that might help in the next pandemic.

What's next for AstraZeneca? Are there any right answers when it comes to compassionate use? And how does it feel to give someone a Covid-19 vaccine? We cover all that and more this week on “The Readout LOUD,” STAT’s biotech podcast. First, we discuss the latest in a long series of issues for AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 vaccine and the implications for the global pandemic response. Next, we dive into the dilemma over compassionate use, talking to Biogen's former PR chief about the struggle over whether — and how — desperate patients should be able to access experimental medicines. Finally, we interview a registered nurse in Boston about what it's like to bring joy, relief, and reassurance to thousands of people by injecting them with Covid-19 vaccines.

First, STAT’s Mario Aguilar joins us to discuss a fascinating experiment in Nevada, where one city is giving its residents free access to a therapy app — and getting a mixed reception. Then, New York University antitrust expert Eleanor Fox calls in to discuss the case of Illumina, the genome sequencing giant whose grand plans keeping running afoul of the Federal Trade Commission. Finally, we embark on a lightning round, covering the latest Covid-19 vaccine news, biotech’s biggest events over the next three months, and the death of a pioneering Gilead Sciences executive.

We're devoting this week's episode to the week of whiplash news about AstraZeneca's Covid-19 vaccine, subject of a baffling international incident with consequences still unfolding. First, we explain the series of late-night announcements that made global headlines. Then, our STAT colleague Helen Branswell joins us to discuss the implications for AstraZeneca, vaccine confidence, and the global effort to get doses in arms. Finally, STAT's Matthew Herper calls in to talk about Pascal Soriot, the hard-charging AstraZeneca CEO whose previously feted boldness might have backfired when it came to Covid-19.

First we unpack the crisis of confidence facing AstraZeneca's Covid-19 vaccine in Europe with Alison Buttenheim, a University Pennsylvania professor who studies vaccine acceptance. Then, we explain the latest data on an Alzheimer's disease treatment from Eli Lilly and why it has polarized experts in the field. Finally, we make a modest proposal to the biotech industry: Give honesty a chance.

We're joined by Natasha Loder, the health policy editor at The Economist — and a London resident — to get her home-country perspective on the U.K.'s Covid vaccine development efforts. Next, we'll talk with STAT national technology correspondent Casey Ross about his yearslong investigation into the demise of Watson Health, IBM's AI health care initiative. Finally, STAT's Meghana Keshavan joins us for a primer into synthetic biology, including its role in making the mRNA-based Covid vaccines.

We discuss Merck's decision to help Johnson & Johnson manufacture vaccine doses and whether it'll be a turning point for the drug industry or a relic of Covid-19 history. Then, as we near the one-year anniversary of the pandemic, STAT's Andrew Joseph joins us to explain what experts think is in store in the months and years to come. Finally, Ashish Jha, dean of Brown University’s School of Public Health, joins us to explain why he's optimistic about summer 2021.