The Readout Loud

Latest Episodes:

227: Biden's Covid declaration, twilight of the SPAC, & genome editing 2.0 Sep 22, 2022

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Heidi Tworek, a professor at the University of British Columbia and expert on public health communication, joins us to discuss President Biden's declaration that "the pandemic is over" and how leaders around the world are talking about Covid-19 as it enters its third year. We’ll also discuss the latest news in the life sciences, including the twilight of the SPAC boom, the coming evolution of genome editing, and the next big trial in Alzheimer’s disease.

226: Pharma's telehealth gold mine, the return of the biotech IPO, & a merger deferred Sep 15, 2022

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Our colleague Katie Palmer joins us to explain a burgeoning trend in pharmaceutical advertising that has health policy experts alarmed. We also discuss the White House's investment in biotech, a bellwether IPO, and the latest twist in the Merck-Seagen saga.

225: Illumina's $8 billion limbo, a new treatment for ALS, & Emirati biotech funding Sep 08, 2022

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Our colleague Matthew Herper joins us to discuss how Illumina, the biggest company in genomic sequencing, got into an $8 billion predicament. We also discuss a dramatic development for a new ALS treatment, the latest in cancer research, and a well-funded new player in biotech venture capital.

224: The anti-aging research boom, the Godfather of biotech, & the future of Biogen Sep 01, 2022

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Our colleague Megan Molteni joins us to explain the scientific discoveries, rampant hype, and Silicon Valley billions behind the burgeoning field of longevity research. Then, we discuss the remarkable career of Stelios Papadopoulos, the venerated Godfather of biotech who faces the daunting task of saving Biogen.

223: Fauci's non-retirement, grading biotech VCs, & a bellwether IPO Aug 25, 2022

Show notes

Our colleague Helen Branswell joins to explain the Covid-19 booster debate, the Biden Administration’s monkeypox response, and the long career of the soon-to-step-down Anthony Fauci. We also discuss the latest news in the life sciences, including a milestone for gene therapy, the tentative return of an IPO market, and the venture capital league table.

222: Private equity in autism care, a watershed FDA approval, & the future of ALS treatment Aug 18, 2022

Show notes

First, STAT's Tara Bannow joins us to discuss how private equity's mounting interest in autism care has created an untenable situation for many parents in the U.S. We also explain the implications of Bluebird Bio's long-awaited FDA approval, a controversial treatment for ALS, and the ups and downs of Merck's reported interest in buying Seagen.

221: Big egos in Big Science, the return of Merger Monday, & the fallout over drug pricing Aug 11, 2022

Show notes

Are biotech's fortunes finally changing? Is Big Science impeding actual science? And what will Medicare negotiation mean for drug prices? STAT's Jason Mast joins us to discuss Jim Wilson, a pioneering scientist synonymous with the rise of gene therapy who staffers say presided over a toxic, abusive workplace. We also explain the latest news in the life sciences, including a multibillion-dollar deal, a novel approach to treating schizophrenia, and what the Senate drug pricing legislation means for the pharmaceutical industry.

220: The last-minute push for drug pricing reform, Alnylam's success, and Sarepta's gamble Aug 04, 2022

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Is drug pricing reform really happening this time? Are things finally turning around for biotech? And is it ever wise to tweet your food? Rachel Cohrs, STAT's Washington correspondent, joins us to explain how congressional Democrats are on the verge of a coup in drug pricing — and what could still stand in their way. We also discuss the latest news in the life sciences, including some hotly anticipated data from Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, a $4 billion buyout deal, and other surprisingly good news for biotech.

219: Helen Branswell on monkeypox, plus: an FDA controversy and fake Alzheimer's data Jul 28, 2022

Show notes

Can monkeypox be contained? Are snortable Covid-19 vaccines on the way? And when is a GIF worth $200,000? STAT's Helen Branswell joins us to explain the latest in the monkeypox outbreak and how health authorities are struggling to contain it. We also discuss the latest news in the life sciences, including some faked Alzheimer’s data, a brewing FDA controversy, and what it means when a scientific discovery gets turned into an NFT.

218: Well-paid CEOs, behind the scenes at Moderna, & Biogen's CEO search Jul 21, 2022

Show notes

Does any CEO deserve $500 million a year? How did Moderna hit it big? And who wants to run Biogen? STAT's Bob Herman joins us to explain why health care CEOs get paid so much — and why company-reported numbers don't tell the full story. Wall Street Journal reporter Peter Loftus calls in to talk about his book chronicling how Moderna went from secretive startup to household name. And we discuss the latest news in the life sciences, including Amazon's latest multibillion-dollar foray into primary care and Biogen's search for a new CEO.

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