Biotech Hangout

On this episode of Biotech Hangout, Eric Schmidt, Bruce Booth, Yaron Werber, Tim Opler and Mike Yee begin the show discussing the highlights from the Jefferies Healthcare Conference before taking a look at public investor sentiment this week. The discussion turns to Atlas Venture’s 2024 Year in Review and transitions into the emerging themes for 2025. The hosts also recap ACR Convergence including Amgen’s Phase 3 data as well as data from cell therapies for SLE, SSC, IMNM. The group also discuss lipid readouts from Eli Lilly, Silence Therapeutics and NewAmsterdam Pharma. Other topics covered include the Incyte and Escient deal collapse, Kura Oncology’s pact with Kyowa Kirin, and perspectives on Trump’s nomination of Dr. Mehmet Oz to lead the CMS. This episode aired on November 22, 2024.

On this episode, Brad Loncar, Sam Fazeli, Tess Cameron, Nina Kjellson and Michal Preminger kick off the show sharing perspectives on Trump’s selection of Robert F. Kennedy Jr as secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The hosts shift to Abbvie’s disappointing Phase 2 trials and a broader discussion on why M&A can be tough. The group also discussed the recent flood of licensing and new companies based on China assets, including some of the players and approaches. The hosts also discuss Halozyme's takeover proposal of Evotec, the VEGF/PD-1 frenzy, J&J hits back with 340b lawsuit, the GOP tax bill and impact on biopharma priorities, and more. This episode aired on November 15, 2024.

On this episode, Daphne Zohar, John Maraganore, Josh Schimmer, Eric Schmidt and Sam Fazeli are joined by Endpoints’ Zach Brennan for a discussion on the election results and what we can expect with a Trump administration, including the negatives/risks for the biotech industry as well as the positives and potential opportunities. The hosts also cover other news from the week including Moderna’s Q3 earnings and the company’s CEO Bancel stepping down as sales chief, as well as BioNTech’s Q3 earnings and the potential softening of vaccine pricing. The group recapped the ASH conference and readouts including Arcellx’s early data and related stock movement. The discussion turns to ObesityWeek highlights including data from AstraZeneca, Vertex, Zealand and Novo Nordisk. Other topics covered this week include Sarepta’s SRP-5051 discontinuation, the death of gene editing and the impact to the fledgling field. This episode aired on November 8, 2024. 

In this enlightening discussion, Allison DeAngelis, a prominent biotech commentator, and Matt Glein, CEO of Roivant, delve into the current surge in funding for neuropsychiatric diseases, spotlighting Seaport Therapeutics’ impressive $225 million Series B round. They weigh the merits of diversified versus focused pipelines and examine the hub-and-spoke model's implications. The conversation touches on the promising Phase 2 results from Alto Neurosciences and Vertex's innovative pain management approach, ultimately painting a vibrant picture of the biotech landscape.

On this week’s episode of Biotech Hangout, hosts Daphne Zohar, Josh Schimmer, Brad Loncar, John Maraganore, Paul Matteis, Mike Yee and Tess Cameron open up with market commentary and how derivatives, debates and dynamics are impacting stocks including Scholar Rock, Biohaven, Roche and Regeneron. The group also highlights CeriBell, which is the first medtech IPO in years. The hosts turn to neuro sentiment with a look at Lundbeck’s acquisition of Longboard at an approximate value of $2.5 billion net of cash. The conversation turns to the idea of competitors benefiting from M&A and data, with this week’s example of Bright Minds Bioscience’s market cap going from $4 million to $172 million. The group also discusses the FDA’s approval of Novocure’s Optune device for the treatment of metastatic non-small cell lung cancer before turning to a conversation on vaccines, including Moderna’s upcoming Phase 3 CMV data. Wave Life Sciences first-ever therapeutic RNA was also covered, which led to a discussion on how important milestones open new doors. Other topics discussed include the launch of City Therapeutics, Benitec’s gene therapy update, and more. *This episode aired on October 18, 2024.

On this week’s episode of Biotech Hangout, hosts Chris Garabedian, Bruce Booth, Josh Schimmer, Eric Schmidt and Sam Fazeli start the show on the topic of M&A and ponder “where are the deals?” as they consider potential reasons such as the U.S. election, too few assets or too few buyers. The conversation turns to the venture funding environment with a preview of the third quarter venture funding numbers. On the theme of stock price reactions, the group digs into why Sarepta’s has dropped despite its gene therapy now fully approved and discusses Soleno’s stock jump on the news from regulators to not hold an advisory meeting over its new drug application. In other news, the group highlights another China deal, this time between AstraZeneca and CSPS Pharma for a pre-clinical novel lipid-lowering therapy. The hosts also discuss the move by Lily to go after the compounding pharmacies, GSK agrees to settle Zantac lawsuits and the latest on Pfizer and Starboard which leads to a broader discussion on activism in biopharma. Regarding data, the hosts cover GSK’s RSV data, Scholar Rock’s spinal muscular atrophy data, among other topics. *This episode aired on October 11, 2024.

On this week’s Biotech Hangout, hosts Josh Schimmer, Brad Loncar, Sam Fazeli and Tess Cameron kick off the show digging into some macro trends and the potential of an incoming M&A wave. The conversation then turns to a range of topics related to China, including the impact of the stimulus, recent innovation, and the latest obesity assets & China-sourced drugs. The hosts also discuss the updates coming out of Roche’s business day, including the company’s acquisition of a CDK inhibitor from China’s Regor. On the data front, the hosts discuss Poseida and Roche’s myeloma data and J&J / Legend’s Carvytki data, then turn to other news of the week including J&J’s battle to implement a 340B rebate model, BioNTech & Instadeep AI Day updates, IGM Biosciences pivots to immunology, Harrow relaunches Triesence, and more. *This episode aired on October 4, 2024.

John Maraganore, the founding CEO of Alnylam, shares his valuable insights on the current biotech market and its IPO landscape. He discusses the implications of the Helios-B study data, as well as the competitive arena of BTK inhibitors in MS treatments. The conversation also delves into the differences between founder-led and traditional management styles, revealing how leadership impacts culture and investor relations. Upcoming conferences, such as WCLC and ESMO, are highlighted, along with innovations in pneumococcal vaccines.

The hosts dive into the implications of recent Medicare drug pricing changes and predict how political shifts might impact biotech mergers. They discuss the controversial closing of Genentech's cancer immunology group and Roche's strategic refocusing. Exciting innovations are highlighted, including advances in hypoparathyroidism treatments and new drugs for obesity-related heart failure. The World Health Organization's monkeypox announcement prompts a look at vaccine development, while upcoming lung cancer conferences stir anticipation for groundbreaking data.

Dive into the exciting world of biotech as the hosts break down a turbulent week for biotech stocks and Q2 earnings insights. They discuss the FDA’s groundbreaking approval for a glioma treatment and the implications of pharma cost-cutting trends. The rising importance of muscle disease treatments reveals a significant area of unmet medical needs. Plus, tune in for thoughts on market dynamics, political impacts on pharma, and the innovative Recursion and Exscientia merger!