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 ...
Jun 02, 2022•33 min
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.
May 26, 2022•35 min
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 w...
May 19, 2022•33 min
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 an...
May 12, 2022•32 min
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.
May 05, 2022•31 min
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.
Apr 28, 2022•29 min
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.
Apr 21, 2022•33 min
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.
Apr 14, 2022•38 min
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 ...
Apr 07, 2022•34 min
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 ge...
Mar 31, 2022•29 min
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.
Mar 24, 2022•35 min
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 ...
Mar 17, 2022•31 min
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 episo...
Mar 10, 2022•32 min
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.
Mar 03, 2022•30 min
How many Covid-19 vaccines does the world really need? What will it take to address inequality in American health care? And should people be nicer to Moderna? First, we discuss the latest news in Covid-19 vaccines, including data from Sanofi and GlaxoSmithKline, the future of Novavax, and what comes next for Moderna. Then, STAT’s Usha Lee McFarling joins us to talk about a groundbreaking investigation into racial and ethnic disparities in American medicine — and why almost nothing has changed in...
Feb 24, 2022•31 min
Will there be a new ALS drug this year? What business does Wall Street have with CRISPR? And when can kids get Covid-19 vaccines? We cover all that and more this week. First, STAT's Nicholas Florko joins us to preview the trials ahead for Robert Califf as he retakes the reins at the FDA — including a high-profile decision on a new treatment for ALS. Then, CRISPR pioneer Jennifer Doudna and financier Marty Chavez join us to talk about the future of genome editing and the investments they plan to ...
Feb 17, 2022•35 min
Does Big Science have a bullying problem? Why did the FDA change its tune on China? And what's cooler than $100 billion? We cover all that and more this week on “The Readout LOUD,” STAT’s biotech podcast. We discuss the scandalous end of Eric Lander's tenure as presidential science adviser with STAT Washington correspondent Lev Facher and science writer Megan Molteni. Then we dive into the FDA's about-face on cancer drugs developed in China and what it means for the cost of medicine in the U.S. ...
Feb 10, 2022•35 min
Does President Biden care about the FDA? What can aerobics instructors teach us about genetics? And when can kids get Covid-19 vaccines? STAT Washington correspondent Nicholas Florko joins us to chat about why Robert Califf, once a shoo-in to be the next FDA commissioner, is suddenly in serious jeopardy. Then, we examine one of the coolest drug-discovery stories in medicine with Merck’s head of research, Dean Li, who joins us to talk about the company’s efforts to develop an oral cholesterol pil...
Feb 03, 2022•34 min
Who gets to be an "expert" on Covid-19? Are Americans entitled to drugs that don't work? And how does the FDA deal with states' rights? First, we discuss the FDA's decision to halt the use of two Covid-19 antibodies that don't work against Omicron — and the surprising backlash that ensued. Then, acting FDA commissioner Janet Woodcock joins us to dig into the agency's move and discuss the steps for regulation of Covid drugs. We also go over the latest news in the life sciences, including some bad...
Jan 27, 2022•25 min
With biotech in the dumps, we talk to Oppenheimer analyst Jared Holz about why the world has soured on the sector and what it means for the future of medicine. Then, STAT’s Matthew Herper joins us to explain the latest big idea from biotech's big thinkers: a company called Altos Labs, which has raised $3 billion to do something or other. We also discuss the latest news in the life sciences, with a cameo from Shkreli and an update on Omicron.
Jan 20, 2022•34 min
First, STAT health tech correspondent Katie Palmer joins us to recap the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference. Then, we discuss the latest twist in Biogen's quest to expand the use of Aduhelm and what it means for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Finally, Arrakis Therapeutics CEO Michael Gilman calls in to explain how targeting RNA can treat disease and why the characters in "Dune" don't just shoot each other with laser guns.
Jan 13, 2022•35 min
First, emergency room physician Craig Spencer joins us to talk about how the Omicron variant is impacting New York City and what the coming months have in store. Then, we look ahead to the New Year in biotech with a preview of the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference. We start with a look at the latest news in the life sciences, including Elizabeth Holmes' guilty verdict and the ongoing Aduhelm saga.
Jan 06, 2022•31 min
We've come to our last episode of the year, and first, STAT’s Helen Branswell joins us to talk about Omicron, boosters, and the past and future of the Covid-19 pandemic. Then, we'll review the year that was in biotech, discuss the suddenly virtual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference, and look forward to 2022.
Dec 16, 2021•35 min
On this week's episode, we kick off the conversation with an update on what researchers are discovering about the Omicron variant of the coronavirus, including new findings from a study involving the Pfizer Covid vaccine. Then, we'll shift the talk to this week's blockbuster STAT story about Biogen and the all the behind-the-scenes turmoil caused by its controversial treatment for Alzheimer's.
Dec 09, 2021•30 min
Will the first Covid-19 pill be all that useful? How worrisome is Omicron? And when will it be safe to congregate? First, STAT's Matthew Herper joins us to talk about a tense debate among FDA advisers about molnupiravir, a Merck treatment for Covid-19 whose luster has faded over time. Then, we talk to Emory University’s Carlos del Rio about the potential of Pfizer’s antiviral pill, the future treatment landscape for Covid-19, and how the emerging Omicron variant might change the global pandemic ...
Dec 02, 2021•32 min
First, epidemiologist Michael Osterholm of the University of Minnesota joins us to talk about Covid-19 case counts, vaccination rates, and the state of the pandemic as we head into the holidays. Then, we discuss the surprising news that Al Sandrock, Biogen’s long-time chief scientist, is leaving the company after a tumultuous year.
Nov 18, 2021•35 min
Rebecca Robbins of the New York Times joins us to discuss the escalating tension between Moderna and the National Institutes of Health over just who invented a Covid-19 vaccine. Then, STAT's Olivia Goldhill calls in to explain Compass Pathways' promising results using psilocybin as a treatment for depression and the future of the nascent field of psychedelic medicines. We also discuss the latest news in the life sciences, including pills for Covid-19, the next FDA commissioner, and whether Pfize...
Nov 11, 2021•30 min
STAT's Rachel Cohrs drops in to talk about the latest updates in drug pricing reform. Then, John Maraganore joins us to talk about his decision to step down as CEO of Alnylam Pharmaceuticals after almost 20 years with the company. We also discuss the latest news in biotech, including the Covid-19 vaccine for kids and Moderna's disappointing earnings call.
Nov 04, 2021•28 min
Can the FDA be too transparent? Who deserves credit for Operation Warp Speed? And when is a CEO worth $3 billion? We cover all that and more this week on “The Readout LOUD,” STAT’s biotech podcast. STAT's Helen Branswell joins us to discuss the whirlwind of FDA debates around who should get vaccines for Covid-19 and the coming months of pandemic response. Then, Brendan Borrell calls in to talk about his book, "The First Shots," a behind-the-scenes look at Operation Warp Speed and the race to dev...
Oct 28, 2021•33 min
Wall Street Journal reporter Gregory Zuckerman joins us to share some behind-the-scenes details from race to develop a Covid-19 vaccine, the subject of his new book. We also discuss the latest news in the life sciences, including Biogen’s failure to launch, the plight of a Covid pill, and a headline-grabbing statement from one of biotech’s most famous scientists.
Oct 21, 2021•31 min
