The Readout Loud

This podcast features Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman, winners of the Nobel Prize for medicine. They discuss the journey of mRNA technology, challenges in developing an HIV vaccine, and the shortcomings of the Nobel Prize recognition system.

Chemist Svetlana Mojsov's vital role in the discovery of GLP-1 is explored, highlighting patent disputes and challenges faced by women in science. The FDA hearing on BrainStorm's ALS treatment and the state of biotech stocks are also discussed, emphasizing the need for more inclusive recognition in the scientific community.

The podcast explores the promise of artificial wombs and the ethical challenges of developing them. They also discuss the controversial case of a potential ALS medicine and the upcoming FDA meeting. Additionally, they delve into the financial constraints on launching confirmatory studies and the progress in developing artificial wombs for premature babies.

Helen Branswell discusses the state of the pandemic and rollout of booster shots for Covid-19. They also talk about an IPO implosion, a debate at the FDA, and the ups and downs of a career in biotech.

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.