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The Readout Loud

News & Politics Podcasts

STAT’s weekly biotech podcast, breaking down the latest news, digging deep into industry goings-on, and giving you a preview of the week to come.

Location:

United States

Description:

STAT’s weekly biotech podcast, breaking down the latest news, digging deep into industry goings-on, and giving you a preview of the week to come.

Twitter:

@statnews

Language:

English


Episodes

299: Live! From the STAT Breakthrough Summit East

3/21/2024
Recorded live from from the STAT Breakthrough Summit East in New York City, we discuss some event highlights, including words from CRISPR pioneer Feng Zhang and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals head scientist George Yancopoulos. We also discuss the latest news in the life sciences, including a twist in the GLP-1 story, the cost of gene therapy, and, of course, pie.

Duration:00:33:54

298: A dilemma in ALS, the first MASH drug, & why gene therapy is hard

3/14/2024
Bioethicist Holly Fernandez Lynch joins us to discuss the case of Amylyx Pharmaceuticals’ treatment for ALS and what its failure means for drug development. We also discuss the latest news in the life sciences, including a tepid reception for gene therapies, the future of CAR-T cancer treatment, and the first approved medicine for a prevalent liver disease.

Duration:00:35:21

297: VC turmoil, GLP-1 competition, & the war on recovery

3/7/2024
For the entirety of the opioid overdose epidemic, the U.S. has had readily available tools that are proven to save lives. STAT’s Lev Facher joins us to explain his reporting on why virtually every sector of American society is standing in the way of their use. We also discuss the latest news in the life sciences, including the haves and have-nots of venture capital, and the race to develop effective oral treatments for obesity.

Duration:00:27:11

296: Legal insider trading, booming biotech stocks, & the next GLP-1

2/29/2024
We dive into the the latest craze in the world of biotech finance, involving hedge funds and some insider information, and explain why not everyone thinks it's such a good idea. We also discuss a banner month for biotech stocks and the latest twist in obesity research. Here's where you can subscribe to our biotech newsletter, The Readout. And here's where you can subscribe to our newsletter on the business (and secretive inner workings) of the U.S. health care industry, Health Care Inc.

Duration:00:24:21

295: Humira’s legacy, CEO symbolism, and genomic surgery

2/22/2024
First, former Alnylam Pharmaceuticals CEO John Maraganore and STAT’s Matthew Herper join us to discuss the legacy of AbbVie chief executive Richard Gonzalez, who announced his retirement this week. Then, we dive into the fascinating world of fetal genome surgery, as STAT’s Megan Molteni joins us to explain the work of a scientist named Tippi MacKenzie. Here's where you can subscribe to our biotech newsletter, The Readout. And here's where you can subscribe to our newsletter on the business (and secretive inner workings) of the U.S. health care industry, Health Care Inc.

Duration:00:34:11

294: Pharma goes to Washington, Alnylam's future, & Gilead's dealmaking

2/15/2024
The pharmaceutical industry, in court and in Congress, is working to water down legislation that will let Medicare negotiate certain drug prices. STAT Washington correspondent Rachel Cohrs joins us to explain the industry’s struggle to make headway — and how it factors into the 2024 election. We also discuss the latest news in the life sciences, including a twist in the future of Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, competition to Vertex Pharmaceuticals’ pain drug, and Gilead Sciences' latest acquisition. Here's where you can subscribe to our biotech newsletter, The Readout. And here's where you can subscribe to our newsletter on the business (and secretive inner workings) of the U.S. health care industry, Health Care Inc.

Duration:00:30:43

293: AI in medicine, detangling hype, and Icelandic DNA

2/8/2024
It's our all-AI episode. First, STAT’s Casey Ross joins us to explain his reporting on how researchers and pharmaceutical firms are using the technology to find new drug targets, design therapies, and improve clinical trials. Then, we talk to Joel Dudley, a partner at the venture firm Innovation Endeavors, about how to discern promising ideas from wastes of time when it comes to AI in biotech. Here's where you can subscribe to our biotech newsletter, The Readout. And here's where you can subscribe to our newsletter on the business (and secretive inner workings) of the U.S. health care industry, Health Care Inc.

Duration:00:32:55

292: Vertex's polarizing data, Aduhelm's adieu, & an FDA icon

2/1/2024
We explain the debate over Vertex Pharmaceuticals' novel pain drug, whose success in clinical trials comes with a sizable caveat. We also talk about the latest news in the life sciences, including an epitaph for Aduhelm and the retirement of an FDA icon. Here's where you can subscribe to our biotech newsletter, The Readout. And here's where you can subscribe to our newsletter on the business (and secretive inner workings) of the U.S. health care industry, Health Care Inc.

Duration:00:35:44

291: The plight of the VC, Gilead's latest setback, & more M&A

1/25/2024
We discuss how biotech's downturn has made life difficult not just for startups but also the VCs they rely on for much-needed funding. We also take a look at Gilead Sciences' struggle to turn itself into an oncology company and the latest biotech to get bought out by a major pharma firm. Subscribe to our biotech newsletter, The Readout.

Duration:00:31:15

290: Biotech layoffs, slumping stocks, and a 2024 preview

1/18/2024
Our colleague Jason Mast joins us to discuss an emerging trend in biotech: Cash-rich startups are laying off employees and tweaking their strategies amid a tough market for venture capital. We also look ahead to the biggest biotech stories coming in 2024, including some major data readouts and a few pivotal FDA decisions. Here's where you can subscribe to our biotech newsletter, The Readout.

Duration:00:42:49

289: Live! From #JPM24

1/11/2024
Recording from the STAT co-working space outside the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference, we discuss how a spate of deals and some intermittent sunshine seem to have brightened the outlook for biotech at the outset of 2024. We also talk about the latest twist in the Sarepta Therapeutics saga, a ubiquitous dealmaker, and life on the party circuit. For more on what we cover, here's the news on Sarepta; here's more on Nvidia; here's the story on Centerview; here’s where you can find episodes of Color Code; here’s where you can subscribe to the First Opinion Podcast; and here's where you can subscribe to our biotech newsletter, The Readout.

Duration:00:28:14

287: 2023 in review, CEO report cards, and a look at the year ahead

12/21/2023
It's our last episode of 2023, so we look back on the biggest stories of the year, discuss the best and worst CEOs in the industry, and make some reasonably informed guesses on what 2024 has in store for the drug industry.

Duration:00:27:21

286: FTC v. biotech, Pfizer's kitchen sink, & Vertex's future

12/14/2023
First, we delve into the fallout over the FTC's move to block what looked like a humdrum biotech deal between Sanofi and Maze Therapeutics, a surprising twist that leaves unanswered question. We also discuss the latest news in the life sciences, including Pfizer’s downbeat future, Vertex Pharmaceuticals’ next big thing, and a newly minted biotech VC with a very famous name. Here's where you can subscribe to our biotech newsletter, The Readout.

Duration:00:34:49

285: CRISPR history, biotech struggles, & a big week for deals

12/7/2023
With the first CRISPR-based medicine expected to win FDA approval any minute now, STAT’s Megan Molteni joins us to discuss how we got here and what it means for the future. Then, Bruce Booth from Atlas Venture joins us to discuss what was yet another downbeat year for biotech and whether there’s reason for optimism heading into 2024. To keep up with biotech news throughout the week, here's where you can subscribe to our newsletter, The Readout.

Duration:00:36:40

284: AbbVie’s big deal, CAR-T’s risks, & getting a biotech job

11/30/2023
We discuss why AbbVie is spending $10 billion on a cancer-focused company that spent four decades on the path to its first FDA approval, a deal with implications for biotech in 2023 and for a burgeoning area in oncology. We’ll also talk about the latest news in the life sciences, including safety concerns for CAR-T cancer treatment, the slumping industry job market, and some curious explanations for clinical failures.

Duration:00:28:39

283: A CRISPR milestone, algorithms amok, & biotech mixology

11/16/2023
Our colleague Casey Ross joins us to tell the bombshell story of how the nation's largest health insurer used a computer algorithm to deny patient care and boost its profitability. Then, biotech veteran Michael Gilman calls in to offer a behind-the-scenes peek at what it’s like to be a startup CEO in this economic downturn — and which cocktail recipes help make it bearable. We also discuss a pioneering approval for a genome-editing medicine.

Duration:00:30:41

From Tradeoffs: Can the U.S. put an end to surprise ambulance bills?

11/13/2023
From our reporting partners at Tradeoffs: Congress banned most surprise medical bills back in 2020, with one major exception: ambulance rides. Most people agree that patients should be shielded from these unexpected charges. But who should pick up the tab instead? This week, as state and federal policymakers grapple with that question, we delve into why finding a fair solution is harder than you’d think. You can also check out our STAT story for more information. Note: This episode has been re-uploaded after technical difficulties.

Duration:00:29:50

282: Lilly’s obesity drug, the power of radiation, & a biotech implosion

11/9/2023
As so-called radiopharmaceuticals make headlines in oncology, we explore their fascinating scientific backstory and the biotech gold rush to make them. We also discuss the approval of Eli Lilly’s curiously named treatment for obesity, the latest implosion for a promising biotech company, and some news in the world of shareholder activism. To keep up between podcast episodes, here’s where you can subscribe to our biotech newsletter, The Readout.

Duration:00:37:01

281: Decoding biotech hype, the Sarepta saga, & au revoir to a CEO

11/2/2023
Biotech consultant Frank David joins us to explain the wild world of subgroup analyses and how to discern science from spin. We also discuss the latest news in the life sciences, including the future of Sarepta and the retirement of a biotech stalwart. For more on what we cover, here's where you can read Frank's work; here's more on Sarepta; here’s where you can find episodes of Color Code; here’s where you can subscribe to the First Opinion Podcast; and here's where you can subscribe to our biotech newsletter, The Readout.

Duration:00:32:29

280: ESMO highlights, Roivant's big deal, & biotech VC on the rise

10/26/2023
Our colleague Andrew Joseph joins us to explain the decades-old cancer-treating technology that had its star turn at this week's big oncology conference in Europe. We also discuss the latest news in the life sciences, including the future of Alzheimer’s disease treatment, a multibillion-dollar deal, and the return of the biotech mega-round. For more on what we cover, here's STAT's coverage of the European Society for Medical Oncology meeting; here's more on Roivant Sciences; here's the latest on biotech venture capital; here's more on the latest Alzheimer's data; here’s where you can find episodes of Color Code; and here’s where you can subscribe to the First Opinion Podcast.

Duration:00:29:48