The Readout Loud

Latest Episodes:

297: VC turmoil, GLP-1 competition, & the war on recovery Mar 07, 2024

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For the entirety of the opioid overdose epidemic, the U.S. has had readily available tools that are proven to save lives. STAT’s Lev Facher joins us to explain his reporting on why virtually every sector of American society is standing in the way of their use. We also discuss the latest news in the life sciences, including the haves and have-nots of venture capital, and the race to develop effective oral treatments for obesity.

296: Legal insider trading, booming biotech stocks, & the next GLP-1 Feb 29, 2024

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We dive into the the latest craze in the world of biotech finance, involving hedge funds and some insider information, and explain why not everyone thinks it's such a good idea. We also discuss a banner month for biotech stocks and the latest twist in obesity research.

Here's where you can subscribe to our biotech newsletter, The Readout. And here's where you can subscribe to our newsletter on the business (and secretive inner workings) of the U.S. health care industry, Health Care Inc.

295: Humira’s legacy, CEO symbolism, and genomic surgery Feb 22, 2024

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First, former Alnylam Pharmaceuticals CEO John Maraganore and STAT’s Matthew Herper join us to discuss the legacy of AbbVie chief executive Richard Gonzalez, who announced his retirement this week. Then, we dive into the fascinating world of fetal genome surgery, as STAT’s Megan Molteni joins us to explain the work of a scientist named Tippi MacKenzie.

294: Pharma goes to Washington, Alnylam's future, & Gilead's dealmaking Feb 15, 2024

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The pharmaceutical industry, in court and in Congress, is working to water down legislation that will let Medicare negotiate certain drug prices. STAT Washington correspondent Rachel Cohrs joins us to explain the industry’s struggle to make headway — and how it factors into the 2024 election. We also discuss the latest news in the life sciences, including a twist in the future of Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, competition to Vertex Pharmaceuticals’ pain drug, and Gilead Sciences' latest acquisition.

293: AI in medicine, detangling hype, and Icelandic DNA Feb 08, 2024

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It's our all-AI episode. First, STAT’s Casey Ross joins us to explain his reporting on how researchers and pharmaceutical firms are using the technology to find new drug targets, design therapies, and improve clinical trials. Then, we talk to Joel Dudley, a partner at the venture firm Innovation Endeavors, about how to discern promising ideas from wastes of time when it comes to AI in biotech.

292: Vertex's polarizing data, Aduhelm's adieu, & an FDA icon Feb 01, 2024

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We explain the debate over Vertex Pharmaceuticals' novel pain drug, whose success in clinical trials comes with a sizable caveat. We also talk about the latest news in the life sciences, including an epitaph for Aduhelm and the retirement of an FDA icon.

291: The plight of the VC, Gilead's latest setback, & more M&A Jan 25, 2024

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We discuss how biotech's downturn has made life difficult not just for startups but also the VCs they rely on for much-needed funding. We also take a look at Gilead Sciences' struggle to turn itself into an oncology company and the latest biotech to get bought out by a major pharma firm.

Subscribe to our biotech newsletter, The Readout.

290: Biotech layoffs, slumping stocks, and a 2024 preview Jan 18, 2024

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Our colleague Jason Mast joins us to discuss an emerging trend in biotech: Cash-rich startups are laying off employees and tweaking their strategies amid a tough market for venture capital. We also look ahead to the biggest biotech stories coming in 2024, including some major data readouts and a few pivotal FDA decisions.

Here's where you can subscribe to our biotech newsletter, The Readout.

289: Live! From #JPM24 Jan 11, 2024

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Recording from the STAT co-working space outside the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference, we discuss how a spate of deals and some intermittent sunshine seem to have brightened the outlook for biotech at the outset of 2024. We also talk about the latest twist in the Sarepta Therapeutics saga, a ubiquitous dealmaker, and life on the party circuit.

For more on what we cover, here's the news on Sarepta; here's more on Nvidia; here's the story on Centerview; here’s where you can find episodes of Color Code; here’s where you can subscribe to the First Opinion Podcast; and here's where you can subscribe to our biotech newsletter, The Readout.

287: 2023 in review, CEO report cards, and a look at the year ahead Dec 21, 2023

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It's our last episode of 2023, so we look back on the biggest stories of the year, discuss the best and worst CEOs in the industry, and make some reasonably informed guesses on what 2024 has in store for the drug industry.

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