The Top Line

Fierce Biotech's Max Bayer interviews Verve Therapeutics' CEO Sekar Kathiresan, M.D. They discuss Verve's lead program for genetic high cholesterol, their gene therapy programs, hurdles faced, and the potential of base editing technology. They also explore Dr. Kathiresan's transition to biotech after 20+ years as a cardiologist and geneticist.

Editor-in-Chief Ayla Ellison and Fierce Pharma Marketing Senior Editor Ben Adams discuss the most anticipated drug launches of 2024, including a schizophrenia drug awaiting FDA approval, Bristol Myers Squibb's targeted launch plan, and Madrigal Pharmaceuticals' goal to become a leader in liver health.

Should physicians consider the psychological status of patients more when developing and delivering treatment plans? What knowledge barriers are there to this? And how can these barriers be overcome? These questions lie at the heart of what John Kane has been pursuing as a healthcare communications and education expert for more than 30 years. As Managing Director of MedThink Communications, having run his own agency for 17 years, he works with the simple mission to "turn information into outcomes." In this episode of The Top Line podcast, John explores the link between a proper understanding of psychological factors and likely success of treatments. The conversation then moves on to discussing some of the key challenges faced by the medical industry in leveling the playing field between biological and psychological knowledge. Effective education and communication, he says, are a fundamental part of any solution. Want to hear more from John? Listen to the podcast today.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Dr. Beate Mueller-Tiemann, Chief Technology Officer at Cytiva, joins Fierce Life Sciences’s Stephanie Butler. Having spent almost all of her career working within large pharmaceutical enterprises such as Sanofi and Bayer, Beate made the switch to Cytiva in the early part 2023. Her role at Cytiva involves overseeing teams which create and bring high-quality products and innovative manufacturing and R&D processes closer to patients. Beate also keenly supports female talents through participation in mentoring programs. Additionally, she is a member of FiDAR, an association which seeks to increase the representation of women on German corporate boards. During the conversation, Beate discusses her passion for technology and how her career has been defined by working with technology to bring innovation and treatments to patients and improve health outcomes. She also touches on the ongoing work Cytiva is engaged in, as well as the importance of collaboration in driving R&D progress. Tune in to the podcast to learn more. Check out this year's Fierce 50 honorees: https://fierce50.fiercelifesciences.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While generative AI has dominated the spotlight in the past year, machine learning programs have already been significantly impacting patients and physicians for several years. The question now arises: how will the emergence of programs like ChatGPT, coupled with increasing calls to scrutinize their safety, influence the adoption of new AI programs and diagnostics in healthcare?   This week on “The Top Line,” Fierce’s Conor Hale interviews Peter Shen, the North American head of digital health at Siemens Healthineers, to explore what developers and regulators can do to ensure transparency in medical AI. He also dives into how the field could potentially benefit from a 21st-century update to the Hippocratic Oath.  To learn more about the topics in this episode:  2024 forecast: Will generative AI find what it needs to deliver for patients?  FDA to form advisory committee for digital health and AI  US government to launch AI Safety Institute, develop standards for biotech R&D  Biden to sign sweeping executive order pursuing 'safe, secure and trustworthy' AI development   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Valentina Sartori and Kelle Mo discuss the $1 trillion women's health gap and its economic impact. They explore the root causes, funding issues, and the potential for tailored interventions. The podcast also touches on the economic value of addressing menopause in the workplace and highlights Farron Pharmaceutical's efforts in supporting women's health.

In this podcast, Fierce Pharma's Eric Sagonowsky and Kevin Dunleavy discuss the landscape of drug approvals in 2023, including Pfizer's success with 7 new meds. They also cover pricing challenges for gene therapies, RSV vaccines, and the approval of cancer drugs. They highlight specific drugs and their peak sales potential, such as gene therapies and drugs for mysthenia gravis.

This podcast looks back at the year in biotech, focusing on massive industry layoffs and favorite stories, including a Taylor Swift appearance. Topics also include IPO trends, Alzheimer's meds, and the impact on the Down syndrome community.

Paul Beresford and Lou Welebob of Agilent Technologies discuss the evolving needs of pharma for CDx development. Topics include broadening technological focus on immunohistochemistry, spatial biology and machine learning. The guests highlight the importance of partnerships in driving medical innovation and improving patient outcomes.

Senior editor Paige Minemyer and staff writers Dave Muoio and Anastassia Gliadkovskaya, along with senior editor Heather Landi, discuss the Fierce 50 honorees who are making waves in the healthcare industry. They explore lessons from successful companies, the intersection of AI, patient experience, and health technology, lessons from healthcare leaders, and improving doctors-patient interactions and healthcare education.