Biotech Hangout

The podcast discusses the latest biotech news, including takeaways from JPM 2024 conference and various deals like Merck's acquisition of Harpoon Therapeutics and Johnson & Johnson's acquisition of Ambrx. They also talk about preclinical companies filing for IPO, Vertex's diabetes trial pause, Astellas receiving a CRL, and the possibility of a company suing a shortseller.

In the first Biotech Hangout of 2024, RA Capital’s Peter Kolchinsky joins hosts Daphne Zohar, Josh Schimmer, Tim Opler, Paul Matteis and Luba Greenwood to discuss the latest biotech news. They start with the last M&A deals of 2023 including Bristol Myers Squibb’s acquisition of Karuna and Rayzebio, and AstraZeneca’s acquisition of Gracell. They discuss insights from RA Capital’s latest sector analysis and the outlook for the sector in 2024, plus JPM predictions. The hosts also cover news from the first week of 2024 including Longboard Pharmaceuticals and Dyne Therapeutics data, Novartis’ expanded collaboration with Voyager, the FDA’s hold on Iovance’s TIL therapy and their approval of AstraZeneca and Ionis’ rare nerve disease treatment. Other topics include Goldman Sachs life science investment fund and ImmunityBio’s royalty financing. *This episode aired on January 5, 2024

Guest host Nick Shipley and the Biotech Hangout crew discuss policy affecting biotech, the state of the XBI, Bluebird Bio's setbacks, Pfizer's 2024 forecast revenue, and various ADC deals. They also cover updates from ASH, the new Amgen CSO, and share their thoughts on what to expect in 2024.

Biotech Hangout welcomes biotech analysts Josh Schimmer, Tim Opler, Chris Garabedian, Dawn Bell, and guest host Eric Schmidt. They cover topics such as the JPM year in review, XBI performance, Abbvie's acquisition of Cerevel, big GLP-1 deal from Roche and Carmot, AstraZeneca/IRA case, three big investors days from J&J, Sanofi and Neurocrine Biosciences, CVS's drug coverage update, and Eyepoint Pharmaceutical's wet AMD data.

On this week’s episode of Biotech Hangout hosts Daphne Zohar, Tim Opler, Josh Schimmer, Chris Garabedian, John Maraganore and Ethan Perlstein discuss the latest industry news including takeaways and sentiment from the recent Jefferies, Stifel, American Heart Association and ACR conferences. They also discuss Ajinomoto acquiring Forge Biologics ($620M), Crispr and Vertex MHRA approval in the UK, Verve data and Novo Nordisk’s SELECT trial details. They hosts discuss Astellas’ acquisition of Propella ($175M) and the differences between Propella and PureTech’s lymphatic-focused technologies, on the back of PureTech’s Phase 2 data. Other topics include three merger agreements: Graphite Bio/ Lenz Therapeutics, Q32 Bio/Homology Medicines and Selecta Biosciences/ Cartesian Therapeutics, adcomm for Merck’s inhibitor for chronic cough and more. *This episode aired on November 17, 2023

In this episode of Biotech Hangout, the hosts discuss upcoming conferences, Eli Lilly's weight management drug approval, Cargo Therapeutics' IPO terms, and Adverum's 3-year AMD data. They also cover news on Moonlake Therapeutics and Ventyx Biosciences, BioNTech's R&D day, Pfizer and BioNTech's vaccine data, and activist investor Elliot Investment Management's stake in BioMarin.

Matthew Gline, Roivant CEO, joins the hosts to discuss the current market for public biotechs, Sarepta's trial miss, Roivant's deal with Roche, Lexeo Therapeutics' IPO, 4D Molecular Therapeutics' CF Phase 1 data, and AstraZeneca's investment in Cellectic. They also talk about large fund raises, Bluebird Bio preselling its PRV to Novartis, Amgen stopping selling PSMA BiTE, Crispr Therapeutics/Vertex adcomm, and Pfizer closing several sites. They analyze Sanofi's share drop, stock reactions in the industry, challenges in the biotech IPO market, gene therapy for CF and macular degeneration, biotech deals and investments, and the pricing and value of PRVs in the industry. Lastly, they analyze recent market performance and future prospects.

Guest host Paul Matteis, Biotech Analyst at Stifel, joins the hosts to discuss market sentiment and biotech's bear market. They also cover industry issues like the Orphan Cures Act and PRVs. Other topics include CMS expanding Medicare coverage to Alzheimer’s PET scan testing, delays in cancer care, and advancements in gene therapy.

Biotech analysts Jacob Plieth and Madeleine Armstrong, along with Nuvalent CEO Jim Porter, discuss Merck and Daichii's co-development deal, Nuvalent's $300M raise, and recent industry data. They also touch on the recent ESMO data breach, PTC Therapeutics' agreement with Royalty Pharma, and Revolution Medicines' KRAS data, among other topics.

Biotech Hangout's Daphne Zohar, Brad Loncar, Josh Schimmer, Mike Yee & Tim Opler cover the big news: BMS' acquisition of Mirati Therapeutics, 14 biotech acquisitions over $1B, and Illumina ordered to sell Grail after acquisition deal. They discuss data from Akero, Alnylam, Ventyx, Merck, Novo Nordisk, Immunic, and PMV Pharmaceuticals. Takeaways from Jefferies CNS Day and HLTH 2023 are shared.