The Readout Loud

Latest Episodes:

217: CRISPR for the heart, biotech's recovery, & what it means to be a 'hot girl' Jul 14, 2022

Show notes

Can CRISPR edit out a heart attack? What happens on #GutTok? And is health care recession-proof? Sek Kathiresan, cardiologist and CEO of Verve Therapeutics, joins us to explain the company's work on preventing heart disease with genome editing. Then, STAT's Isabella Cueto joins us to discuss "Hot girls have IBS," an internet in-joke that evolved into a movement for people with chronic illness. We also break down the latest news in the life sciences, including a long-awaited victory for Novavax and ostensible good news for biotech.

216: VC malaise, FDA confusion, & yet another Alzheimer's debate Jul 07, 2022

Show notes

Is the era of the unicorn over? What's gotten into the FDA? And will a NASH drug ever work? Our colleague Allison DeAngelis joins us to explain how the prolonged downturn for biotech stocks is stoking anxiety among venture capitalists. We also discuss an FDA plot twist for a novel ALS treatment, a second shot for a once-promising liver drug, and the latest in the Covid-19 pandemic.

215: Medical privacy post-Roe, fixing clinical trials, & the next Covid vaccines Jun 30, 2022

Show notes

How do you stop a Covid surge? Why are clinical trials so white? And what are the limits of HIPAA? Our colleague Eric Boodman joins us to discuss whether an oft-cited federal law can shield reproductive health data from state law enforcement in the wake of Roe v. Wade being overturned. Then, STAT's Angus Chen calls in to relate the story of an ambitious study and the quest to finally make clinical trials more equitable. We also explain a momentous FDA meeting and the debate over just what the Covid-19 vaccines of the future should contain.

214: Juul's doomsday, Merck's buyout plans, & the next Theranos verdict Jun 23, 2022

Show notes

Just how powerful is the FDA? Is Merck about to spend $40 billion? And what's a "Puff Bar"? STAT Washington correspondent Nicholas Florko joins us to discuss the FDA's decision to ban the sale of Juul Labs vaping products and a proposal to reduce the amount of nicotine in cigarettes. We’ll also explain the latest news in the life sciences, including a rumored blockbuster buyout and the next Theranos verdict.

213: How the Fed affects biotech, Paul Offit on vaccines for kids, & another Alzheimer's setback Jun 16, 2022

Show notes

Will biotech stocks ever recover? How well do Covid-19 vaccines work for kids? And can anything stop the amyloid hypothesis? Longtime biotech investor Les Funtleyder joins us to explain why the recent interest rate hike is bad for biotech and just what it will take for the industry to get out of its slump. Then, vaccinologist and FDA adviser Paul Offit calls in to talk about the impending authorization of Covid-19 vaccines for young children and what it means for the future of the pandemic. We also explain the latest disappointing clinical trial in Alzheimer's disease and some perplexing data on Pfizer's Covid-19 antiviral.

212: Applause-worthy cancer data, the long wait for Novavax, & the next FDA controversy Jun 09, 2022

Show notes

When is data "practice-changing"? How many Covid-19 vaccines do we need? And what does it mean when the FDA asks for more time? With the world's largest cancer conference just concluded, we explain the most important data presented at the meeting, including a blockbuster clinical trial that promises to change the treatment of advanced breast cancer. We also discuss an FDA controversy in the making, a pair of new Covid-19 vaccines, and the frustrating process of finding new treatments for depression.

211: Biotech's catch-22, a $100 genome, & dealing with monkeypox Jun 02, 2022

Show notes

Will gene therapy ever live up to expectations? Can anyone break up the genomics monopoly? And is innovation actually bad for biotech? This week, health care strategist Jared Holz of Oppenheimer joins us to discuss the weekend's big oncology conference and what it will take to change Wall Street's dire view of the drug industry. We also discuss a weighty FDA meeting on gene therapy, the potential of a $100 genome, and how the expanding monkeypox outbreak is creating challenges for public health agencies.

210: Covid vaccines for the youngest kids, ASCO preview, & a biotech CEO’s arrest on murder charges May 26, 2022

Show notes

ovid vaccines for the youngest kids are up for review, but which jab — Moderna or Pfizer — will parents choose? What’s on tap for ASCO, the biggest cancer research conference of the year? And a biotech CEO has been arrested in an alleged murder-for-hire scheme. First, we chat about the latest news in the life sciences. Then, we’re joined by physician and parent Jeremy Faust to discuss his take on the Covid vaccine data for children under 5.

Episode 209: Mysterious infections, dwindling Covid funds, & Shkreli out of prison May 19, 2022

Show notes

What happens when the White House runs out of Covid-19 money? Why are kids suddenly getting mysterious infections? And who's going to hire Martin Shkreli? First, STAT's Helen Branswell joins us to explain the medical mystery of hepatitis appearing worldwide in young children, plus the sudden outbreak of monkeypox. Then, STAT Washington correspondent Rachel Cohrs calls in to discuss how Congress' reluctance to pass a Covid funding bill might imperil the U.S. pandemic response just in time for a winter surge. We also chat about the latest news in the life sciences, including Clay Siegall's resignation and Martin Shkreli's release from federal prison.

Episode 208: A CEO's arrest, Pfizer's big deal, & Covid on the rise May 12, 2022

Show notes

Is the next Covid surge upon us? How do you make $350,000 a day in biotech? And when did Seagen find out about its CEO's arrest? First, we discuss the latest alarming trends in the Covid-19 pandemic and explaining the curious case of Moderna's briefly employed chief financial officer. Then we pick apart the implications of Pfizer's $11.6 billion acquisition of Biohaven and the struggles of a once-promising idea in cancer immunotherapy. Finally, we examine the arrest of Seagen CEO Clay Siegall and the unanswered questions about the company's response.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected