The Readout Loud

John Wilkerson, a Washington Correspondent for STAT, dives into the intense landscape of drug pricing negotiations under the Inflation Reduction Act. He sheds light on the implications these negotiations have for the biotech sector. The discussion also highlights the merger between AI drug firms Recursion Pharmaceuticals and Exscientia. Additionally, Wilkerson touches on Novo Nordisk's pause on Wegovy's regulatory submission for heart failure patients, revealing the complex dynamics of pharmaceutical acquisitions in a competitive market.

Andrew Joseph, STAT's Europe correspondent, dives into the 40-year journey of developing malaria vaccines, shedding light on the immense collaborative efforts in sub-Saharan Africa. He also examines Sarepta Therapeutics’ controversial censorship of a patient video, raising questions about transparency in gene therapy. The conversation reveals the ethical dilemmas faced by patients and the impact of corporate influence on advocacy. Additionally, Joseph discusses Mount Sinai's attempts to suppress discussions on their contentious brain research, illustrating challenges in accountability within the biotech industry.

Tara Bannow, hospitals and insurance reporter, discusses how UnitedHealth uses its physician network for profits. The podcast also covers Viking's obesity drug advancements, FDA official departure, and Kamala Harris' health policies.

JD Vance, Donald Trump's running mate, discusses healthcare policies if Trump wins. They cover shortages of insulin and focus on GLP-1 drugs. Also, the controversy over Cassava's Alzheimer's drug and leadership changes at Gilead.

Jonathan Wosen discusses biotech layoffs, while Alexis Borisy and Zach Weinberg talk about their biotech incubator Curie.Bio. The podcast also covers Pfizer's leadership change and a new side effect of the diabetes drug Ozempic.

Guests Brittany Trang and Rachel Cohrs Zhang discuss AI in drug development, Medicare coverage for GLP-1 drugs, H5N1 bird flu outbreak, and proposals for obesity drug coverage in Washington, with insights on the first presidential debate's healthcare topics.

STAT reporter Jason Mast discusses Fauci's memoir 'On Call' and Alnylam's trial data. They analyze biotech market trends for the year. Fauci's interactions with Presidents, concerns about science politicization, and the unique journey to access his book are highlighted.

STAT's Nicholas Florko joins to explain what it means to be a reporter writing about the commercial determinants of health. Hint: Florko's most recent stories focus on weed, vapes, and raw milk. And instead of being chained to a desk, he often drives around to convenience stores and buy bad stuff — all in the name of good journalism. But first, co-hosts Adam Feuerstein and Allison DeAngelis chat about Pfizer's Duchenne gene therapy setback, the likely approval of a new treatment for Alzheimer's disease, and Bob Langer's most recent startup.

STAT colleague Meghana Keshavan dissects Lykos Therapeutics' meeting with FDA. Topics include challenges in FDA approval for psychedelic therapy, Novartis's acquisition of Morphosis, ASCO conference reflections, and FDA advisory panel vote against MDMA for PTSD.

We preview some of the research that will be presented at The American Society of Clinical Oncology conference in Chicago. We also discuss the latest news in the health and life sciences, including a milestone in lung disease R&D and a Duchenne muscular dystrophy confirmatory trial failure.  To read more about Merus' combination therapy, go here; For more on Johnson & Johnson's mixed data, click here; For more on Nippon Shinyaku's Duchenne drug trial failure, go here; To read more on Insmed's bronchiectasis treatment, click here; To sign up for STAT's ASCO newsletter, click here.