First we unpack the crisis of confidence facing AstraZeneca's Covid-19 vaccine in Europe with Alison Buttenheim, a University Pennsylvania professor who studies vaccine acceptance. Then, we explain the latest data on an Alzheimer's disease treatment from Eli Lilly and why it has polarized experts in the field. Finally, we make a modest proposal to the biotech industry: Give honesty a chance.
Mar 18, 2021•30 min
We're joined by Natasha Loder, the health policy editor at The Economist — and a London resident — to get her home-country perspective on the U.K.'s Covid vaccine development efforts. Next, we'll talk with STAT national technology correspondent Casey Ross about his yearslong investigation into the demise of Watson Health, IBM's AI health care initiative. Finally, STAT's Meghana Keshavan joins us for a primer into synthetic biology, including its role in making the mRNA-based Covid vaccines.
Mar 11, 2021•29 min
We discuss Merck's decision to help Johnson & Johnson manufacture vaccine doses and whether it'll be a turning point for the drug industry or a relic of Covid-19 history. Then, as we near the one-year anniversary of the pandemic, STAT's Andrew Joseph joins us to explain what experts think is in store in the months and years to come. Finally, Ashish Jha, dean of Brown University’s School of Public Health, joins us to explain why he's optimistic about summer 2021.
Mar 04, 2021•32 min
First, pediatric cancer advocate Nancy Goodman joins us to discuss why she believes Covid-19 vaccine trials need to be sped up for teens and children. Then, Wall Street Journal reporter Greg Zuckerman calls in to explain the unlikely story behind Novavax, a former biotech penny stock now on the verge of making history. Finally, we embark on a lightning round, featuring quick takes on the confirmation process for a new health secretary and the future of therapeutic stool.
Feb 25, 2021•32 min
We discuss all that and more this week on “The Readout LOUD,” STAT’s biotech podcast. First, we break down a significant setback for Bluebird Bio’s gene therapy program with some help from Akshay Sharma, a bone marrow transplant expert at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Then, STAT's Kate Sheridan joins us to discuss her deep dive into Flagship Pioneering, the superlatively successful and frequently grandiose venture firm behind Moderna. Finally, we dig into what the future might hold for ...
Feb 18, 2021•36 min
When will we have enough vaccine doses? How many effective Covid-19 drugs are just waiting to be found? And what do Redditors think about biotech? We discuss all that and more this week on “The Readout LOUD,” STAT’s biotech podcast. First, we check in with our colleague Helen Branswell for her view on the current state of the Covid-19 pandemic and the ongoing vaccine rollout. Then, we're joined by David Fajgenbaum, a physician and scientist at the University of Pennsylvania, to talk about his wo...
Feb 11, 2021•35 min
We discuss all that and more this week on “The Readout LOUD,” STAT’s biotech podcast. First, we recap a busy week of news, featuring 23andMe's move to go public through a blank-check company, Merck CEO Ken Frazier's retirement after three decades at the drug maker, and how the future of Biogen’s Alzheimer’s disease drug got a little more complicated. Then, Paul Offit, director of the Vaccine Education Center at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, joins us to weigh in on the bounty of recent...
Feb 04, 2021•34 min
First, we discuss the implications of Johnson & Johnson’s any-day-now data on a one-shot vaccine for Covid-19. Then, Kevin Davies, executive editor of the CRISPR Journal, joins us to talk about the strange boom in genome editing stocks and the future of the revolutionary technology. Finally, we talk to Megan Ranney, an emergency room physician and Brown University professor, about the challenges of Covid-19 science communication in a post-Trump world.
Jan 28, 2021•34 min
We're spending this entire episode remembering Sharon Begley, our revered and beloved colleague who died last week from complications of lung cancer. First, STAT's Eric Boodman joins us to discuss Sharon's path-breaking career and what he learned from reporting out her obituary. Then, a trio of STAT editors call in to talk about what it was like to work with Sharon, and we hear from number of her colleagues about what made her a singular writer, mentor, officemate, and friend.
Jan 22, 2021•40 min
We're devoting this episode to the news coming out of the just-concluded J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference, the drug industry's largest annual meeting. First, we'll dissect Eli Lilly's surprising data on a new Alzheimer's disease treatment and dig into its implications for the field. Then, we discuss whether there's a bubble inflating in the genome editing world, debate who will run the FDA under a President Biden, and consider the legacy of Moncef Slaoui, the outgoing leader of Operation Warp S...
Jan 14, 2021•30 min
On this year's first episode, STAT Washington correspondent Lev Facher joins us to break down the implications of a Democrat-controlled Senate. Then, our colleague Erin Brodwin calls in to talk about CES, the massive tech conference taking place next week. Finally, we chat with Bob Nelsen, a biotech venture capitalist and one of the few people who saw the coming pandemic with clarity months before everyone else, about what's ahead in 2021.
Jan 07, 2021•29 min
It's the final episode of 2020. We dig into the second vaccine that's been recommended by a panel of FDA advisors, and look ahead to see what's in store for biotech in 2021.
Dec 18, 2020•35 min
Are Covid-19 vaccines safe for teens? Is the U.S. taking too long to authorize one? And how do you prepare for an FDA grilling?
Dec 11, 2020•34 min
Can too much Covid-19 vaccine be a bad thing? Is biotech in a bubble? And how do you make blind mice see again?
Dec 03, 2020•29 min
How do we measure whether Covid-19 vaccines work? What does Joe Biden think of the drug industry? And does Anthony Fauci think about retirement?
Nov 19, 2020•23 min
How well does Pfizer's Covid-19 vaccine work? What's the difference between efficacy and effectiveness? And should the FDA approve Biogen's Alzheimer's drug?
Nov 12, 2020•29 min
How bad will this winter be? Is everything coming up Biogen? And who's going to be president on Jan. 20? We discuss all that and more on this week's episode of “The Readout LOUD,” STAT's biotech podcast. First, STAT's Helen Branswell joins us to discuss what the winter has in store for the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. Then, we discuss the latest surprising twist in Biogen’s quest to win FDA approval for a polarizing treatment for Alzheimer’s disease. Finally, STAT reporter Casey Ross joins to talk...
Nov 05, 2020•27 min
When are we getting Covid-19 vaccine data? Will concerts ever be safe again? And what's a "Bionomy"?
Oct 29, 2020•30 min
Who's voice rings loudest at the FDA? Is it wise to give hedge funds a blank check? And how will the Biogen saga end?
Oct 22, 2020•25 min
Is your local lawmaker flush with pharma cash? How does racism in medicine loom over Covid-19 studies? And who decides when a clinical trial goes on pause?
Oct 15, 2020•28 min
Why is the president making drug ads? Are antibodies the new vaccines? And is it ethical for doctors to talk about President Trump's health?
Oct 08, 2020•23 min
Can an itchy arm ruin a clinical trial? Does intermittent fasting work? And is pharma more trustworthy than the CDC?
Oct 01, 2020•25 min
Is superspreading an Olympic event? Will Covid-19 forever change health tech? And what are the limits of Anthony Fauci's patience?
Sep 24, 2020•26 min
How should governments talk about Covid-19? Can the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention rebuild public trust? And when is a steak worth $21 billion?
Sep 17, 2020•26 min
Is AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 vaccine in jeopardy? Why can’t politicians and scientists in Washington get along? Did you miss STAT’s first-ever Health Tech Summit?
Sep 10, 2020•25 min
Should the FDA commissioner resign? How fast can vaccine trials move? And what do Chelsea Clinton and Chuck Grassley have in common?
Sep 03, 2020•25 min
Can the Food and Drug Administration survive Trump? Are drug reviewers in the deep state? And what can Elon Musk teach us about the nature of reality?
Aug 27, 2020•25 min
Did the FDA suddenly get stringent about new drugs? Is longevity research over-hyped? And what can recovered patients teach us about Covid-19 vaccines?
Aug 20, 2020•19 min
Is pharma scared of Kamala Harris? Are there second acts in biotech? And why don't Covid-19 trials look more diverse?
Aug 13, 2020•27 min
Does the future of health tech look like Facebook? Can we cut corners with Covid-19 vaccines? And are journalists slowing down Operation Warp Speed?
Aug 06, 2020•25 min
