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Latest Episodes:

Episode 168: Aduhelm's latest twist, & how Covid variants are shaping the summer Jul 08, 2021

Show notes

First, we discuss the latest twists following the FDA's widely condemned decision to approve Aduhelm, Biogen's treatment for Alzheimer's disease. Then, our STAT colleague Helen Branswell joins us to talk about whether viral variants are going to stymie the U.S.'s summer reopening. Finally, STAT's Mario Aguilar calls in to break down the record-setting sums going into digital health companies in 2021.

Episode 167: George Yancopoulos on biotech in 2021, plus a CRISPR milestone, Biogen's FDA saga, Jul 01, 2021

Show notes

First we talk to George Yancopoulos, head scientist at Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, about the future of CRISPR genome editing and the latest idea for treating obesity. Then, we discuss STAT's reporting on the cozy relationship between Biogen and the FDA ahead of Aduhelm's approval and what the ensuing fallout might mean. Before all that, we chat about the latest news in biotech, including vaccine boosters and a decadelong debacle.

Episode 166: FDA inner workings, GSK's foggy future, & the alarming rise in colorectal cancer Jun 24, 2021

Show notes

First, we sift through the week's news, with a major update from Eli Lilly in Alzheimer's disease and new details on the inner workings of the FDA. Then, STAT's Matthew Herper joins us to discuss how GlaxoSmithKline ended up in a self-preservation struggle. Finally, STAT's Nicholas St. Fleur calls in to talk about the alarming rise of colorectal cancer deaths among young men and his decision to get on an on-camera colonoscopy for a reporting project.

Episode 165: Paul Offit on the Covid vaccine booster debate, & Robyn Karnauskas' call of the decade Jun 17, 2021

Show notes

First, we sift through the week's news, with some disappointing Covid-19 vaccine data, a pair of setbacks for biotech, and the Wall Street debut of 23andMe. Then, vaccinologist Paul Offit joins us to explain the scientific debate over whether we'll need booster vaccine doses to stay protected from SARS-CoV-2. Finally, Truist Securities analyst Robyn Karnauskas calls in to talk about her bold 2020 prediction that Biogen's controversial treatment for Alzheimer's disease would eventually win FDA approval.

Episode 164: Every angle on the FDA's polarizing approval of Biogen's Alzheimer's drug Jun 10, 2021

Show notes

We're devoting this entire episode to the FDA's polarizing decision to approve Aduhelm, a controversial Biogen treatment for Alzheimer's disease. First, we'll break down what happened and why it's such a big deal, and then we'll talk about the broader implications for science, medicine, and the drug industry as a whole. Finally, we'll zoom out explore how the FDA got to this moment in a conversation with Yale University professor and global health activist Gregg Gonsalves.

Episode 163: Marilynn Marchione on covering the CRISPR babies scandal Jun 03, 2021

Show notes

First, we discuss why it's so hard to predict FDA decisions, and why the latest big deal in biotech left investors cold. Then, STAT Washington correspondent Nicholas Florko joins us for a dive into the thousands of emails from Anthony Fauci made public this week, complete with a top-five countdown of messages both impactful and absurd. Finally, longtime Associated Press medical reporter Marilynn Marchione retired last week, and she calls in to talk about the biggest stories of her career.

Episode 162: Scott Gottlieb on Covid and grilling, plus how Zolgensma has changed SMA May 27, 2021

Show notes

STAT's Andrew Joseph joins us to talk about the two-year anniversary of the approval of gene therapy Zolgensma and the effect it has had on families dealing with the rare disease spinal muscular atrophy. Then, former FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb calls in with tips on Memorial Day grilling, notes on a recent Twitter spat, and thoughts on the origins of SARS-CoV-2.

Episode 161: Biotech meme stocks, the lessons of Spanish Flu, & becoming a pandemic celebrity May 20, 2021

Show notes

First, we discuss Ginkgo Bioworks, the multibillion-dollar biotech company with grand ambitions, a famous ticker symbol, and an affinity for memes. Then, STAT’s Helen Branswell joins us to discuss a topic on everyone’s mind: How will the Covid-19 pandemic end? Finally, we’ll talk about the modern phenomenon of the pandemic celebrity and the case of Ashish Jha, TV’s ever-present Covid-19 expert.

Episode 160: Global Covid-19 failures, a sluggish CDC, and a boisterous STAT Health Tech Summit May 13, 2021

Show notes

Can we prevent the next Covid-19? Has the CDC become too cautious? And how many sensors should be worn to bed? First, our colleague Helen Branswell joins us to discuss where the world went wrong with Covid-19 and how to prepare for the next pandemic. Next, STAT D.C. correspondent Nicholas Florko calls in to talk about the public health experts who believe the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been too sluggish and conservative in recent months. Finally, our colleague Nick St. Fleur joins to recap this week’s STAT Health Tech Summit, which featured some boisterous CEOs, ambitious startups, and promising technologies.

Episode 159: Thomas Bollyky on patent waivers, plus vaccine riches, & a gene therapy for aging May 06, 2021

Show notes

First, Moderna and Pfizer are poised to make billions of dollars from their Covid-19 vaccines this year, and we discuss what that massive infusion of cash portends for both companies. Next, Thomas Bollyky of the Council on Foreign Relations joins us to explain what the U.S.'s support for waiving Covid-19 vaccine patents means — and doesn’t mean — for the global vaccination effort. Finally, STAT’s Megan Molteni calls in to share the story of a little-known biotech company recruiting patients to Mexico with the promise of an anti-aging gene therapy in an unregulated clinical trial.

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