The Readout Loud

Latest Episodes:

247: Vertex vs. insurers, Moderna's future, & biotech's long winter Feb 23, 2023

Show notes

STAT’s Ed Silverman joins us to explain how an escalating fight between Vertex Pharmaceuticals and insurance companies has left patients and families caught in the middle. We also discuss the latest news in the life sciences, including the demise of a one-time unicorn, Moderna’s difficult second act, and an official biotech presidential run.

246: Vas Narasimhan on the future of pharma, plus Moderna’s promise & a biotech presidential bid Feb 16, 2023

Show notes

Vas Narasimhan, CEO of Novartis and the new chairman of PhRMA, joins us to discuss the industry’s struggles in Washington and whether the deflated biotech sector is still overvalued. We also dive into the latest news in the life sciences, including Moderna's promise of no-cost Covid-19 vaccines and biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy's potential run for president.

245: The return of bird flu and the effects of pandemic fatigue Feb 09, 2023

Show notes

Helen Branswell, STAT’s senior writer covering infectious disease, joins us to explain the sudden resurgence of a bird flu virus called H5N1 and why experts are watching the situation closely.

244: Pharma blockbusters, pandemic policy, & legal chicanery Feb 02, 2023

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STAT Washington correspondent Rachel Cohrs joins us to explain the looming end of Covid-19's status as a federal emergency and what that does and doesn't mean for public health. We also dig into the most interesting stories from a busy week of pharmaceutical earnings and discuss a legal setback for Johnson & Johnson.

243: George Scangos' retirement, annual Covid vaccines, an Alzheimer's drug rejection Jan 26, 2023

Show notes

George Scangos, the CEO of Vir Biotechnology, joins us to discuss his retirement and offer some perspective and lessons from a remarkable, 40-year career in biotech. We also chat about the latest news in the life sciences, including an FDA advisory meeting debating the necessity for annual Covid vaccinations, and a surprising, but perhaps not, rejection of Eli Lilly’s Alzheimer’s disease treatment.

242: How blockbusters get made, new vaccines for RSV, and mRNA's Q score Jan 19, 2023

Show notes

Journalist Nathan Vardi joins us to talk about his new book delving into the race to develop the lifesaving cancer drug now called Imbruvica, involving a Scientologist CEO and secretive investor seeking redemption after the worst trade of his life. We also discuss the latest news in the life sciences, including new vaccines for a vexing infection and the future of mRNA.

241: #JPM23 in review, the year ahead, & the merits of Miami Jan 12, 2023

Show notes

With the 2023 J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference drawing to a close, we look back on the biggest news of the meeting, what it means for the year in biotech ahead, and whether the industry's biggest annual gathering might finally have outgrown its host city.

240: #JPM23, the future of Alzheimer's, & rising Covid variants Jan 05, 2023

Show notes

First, we delve into a sweeping congressional investigation into the FDA's approval of the last treatment for Alzheimer's disease and what it means for the next one. We also preview the upcoming J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference and the biggest biotech events of 2023.

239: 2022 in review, CEO indictments, & the year ahead Dec 22, 2022

Show notes

We look back on the biggest biotech stories of 2022 and how, despite some meaningful advances in Alzheimer's disease and gene therapy, the industry seems stuck in a sentiment rut. We also discuss the latest news in the life sciences, including a pair of indicted CEOs and the debate over how much an oft-debated new medicine should cost.

238: Leaky health data, ASH22, & what it takes to get booed by your peers Dec 15, 2022

Show notes

Katie Palmer, STAT's health tech correspondent, joins us to explain how the explosive popularity of telehealth is putting sensitive patient information into the hands of Facebook, TikTok, and other big tech firms. We also discuss the latest news in the life sciences, including highlights from a big hematology conference, a disastrous biotech IPO, and the downside of being a good quote.

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