The Readout Loud

Latest Episodes:

Episode 207: Succession at Biogen, surprises at Vertex, & a potential superspreader dinner May 05, 2022

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Who's going to run Biogen? Does Aduhelm have a future? And is it OK to shame reporters? This week, we delve into Biogen's twin announcements that the company is pulling the plug on Aduhelm and replacing its embattled CEO, discussing the future of Alzheimer's disease and just who might want to lead the company. We also explain the latest on Covid-19 vaccines, a strange situation for Vertex Pharmaceuticals, and the controversy surrounding the White House Correspondents' Dinner.

Episode 206: How cancer-killing cell therapies work, biotech's endless downturn, & an FDA conundrum Apr 28, 2022

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Can rewired cells cure some patients' cancer? Do biotech stocks ever go up? And why's it taking so long to get kids vaccinated for Covid-19? Immunologist Katy Rezvani of MD Anderson Cancer Center joins us to explain the massive potential of a new approach to treating wily tumors, one that repurposes human immune cells. We also discuss the latest news in the life sciences, including an interesting hire at Novartis, the pediatric Covid-19 vaccine saga, and another negative milestone for biotech.

Episode 205: An ominous biotech deal, vaccines for kids, & 'breakthrough' devices Apr 21, 2022

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Can buyouts be bad news? Why can't Novavax meet a deadline? And what does "breakthrough" actually mean? First, we delve into why the latest big biotech acquisition has ominous implications for the downtrodden sector. Then, STAT's Mario Aguilar joins us to explain how a well-intentioned FDA program is benefiting companies over patients. We also discuss the latest pandemic news, including the ongoing debate over boosters and yet another delay for Novavax.

Episode 204: Leana Wen on the pandemic's new normal and whether Twitter is real life Apr 14, 2022

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Are we supposed to just get used to superspreader events? What's going with Editas Medicine? And why are people on Twitter so angry? Leana Wen, an emergency medicine physician and public health professor at George Washington University, joins us to talk about the many complexities of living with Covid-19 and the tricky task of defining "normal" in 2022. We also discuss the latest news in the life sciences, including Editas' new CEO, Aduhelm's future, and the data on Covid-19 vaccines for kids.

Episode 203: What's next for Roche, a debate over second boosters, & Vertex's recent success Apr 07, 2022

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What's on tap for Roche and its closely followed cancer immunotherapy? Are we all headed for another jab with a Covid-19 vaccine? And what explains the recent success of Vertex Pharmaceuticals' R&D pipeline? This week, reporter Andrew Joseph joins us to discuss the FDA and its meeting with outside advisers that considered questions about Covid-19 boosters and the potential for updated vaccines that better match the circulating strains of SARS-CoV-2. We'll also dive into a look at Vertex and hear from its top executives about two experimental, but potentially groundbreaking, treatments for pain and type 1 diabetes. And as we often do, we’ll kick off the podcast with a Chatty Cathy round of hot takes on this week’s news.

Introducing: Color Code Mar 31, 2022

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As long as there's been a medical system, it's been one that is rife with instances of mistreatment — both on the individual and community levels — that have harmful effects on how Black Americans view the health care system. In the first episode of the new STAT podcast Color Code, host Nick St. Fleur speaks with doctors, researchers, and a patient who are all trying to repair the relationship between Black people and the medical institution. You can find Color Code on any platform you use to get your podcasts. Episodes are released every other week.

Episode 202: Helen Branswell on the pandemic, plus the next FDA debate & the perks of being a CEO Mar 24, 2022

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Are Covid-19 vaccines a sustainable business? Was Aduhelm an aberration? And what comes after Omicron? Senior writer Helen Branswell joins us to discuss the latest twists in the pandemic, including rising case counts, next-generation vaccines, and the latest data from pediatric trials. We also dive into the latest news in the life sciences, including Moderna's grand ambitions, Al Sandrock's new job, and the next big FDA debate.

Episode 201: Doing biotech in Ukraine, drug pricing déjà vu, & Covid surges overseas Mar 17, 2022

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How should pharma treat Russia? Why can't Congress pass a drug pricing bill? And what does wastewater portend for the pandemic? First, we discuss the drug industry's response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and STAT reporter Isabella Cueto joins us to explain how the war has affected the quietly vibrant Ukrainian biotech industry. Then, STAT Washington correspondent Nicholas Florko calls in to review Congress' years of failure to pass laws on drug pricing and examine whether bipartisan support can ever result in actual legislation. We also run through the latest news in the life sciences, including Ashish Jha's new job, global Covid-19 surges, and a long-delayed manuscript from Biogen.

Episode 200: Gilead's growing pains, Covid's origins, & Theranos as prestige TV Mar 10, 2022

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Can biotech companies age gracefully? Where did Covid-19 come from? And does Theranos make for good television? We cover all that and more this week. We examine Gilead Sciences' recent struggles and what the company's predicament says about the drug industry. Then, MIT Technology Review reporter Antonio Regalado joins us to discuss his new podcast investigating the origins of Covid-19. We also discuss the latest Theranos trial, playing Elizabeth Holmes on TV, and how we managed to make 200 episodes of this show.

Episode 199: Biden's plans for Covid pills, the latest vaccine data, & fighting about CRISPR Mar 03, 2022

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Is "test to treat" too good to be true? Does it really matter who gets credit for CRISPR? And what's the offramp for Covid-19? We cover all that and more this week. Physician and researcher Kavita Patel joins us to explain why President Biden's plans for Covid-19 — including an ambitious idea to distribute antiviral treatments — might not be so simple. We also discuss some milestone data in the quest to turn CRISPR into medicine and the latest twist in the quest to figure out who invented it.

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