The Readout Loud - podcast cover

The Readout Loud

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.
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Episodes

241: #JPM23 in review, the year ahead, & the merits of Miami

With the 2023 J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference drawing to a close, we look back on the biggest news of the meeting, what it means for the year in biotech ahead, and whether the industry's biggest annual gathering might finally have outgrown its host city.

Jan 12, 202333 min

240: #JPM23, the future of Alzheimer's, & rising Covid variants

First, we delve into a sweeping congressional investigation into the FDA's approval of the last treatment for Alzheimer's disease and what it means for the next one. We also preview the upcoming J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference and the biggest biotech events of 2023.

Jan 05, 202336 min

239: 2022 in review, CEO indictments, & the year ahead

We look back on the biggest biotech stories of 2022 and how, despite some meaningful advances in Alzheimer's disease and gene therapy, the industry seems stuck in a sentiment rut. We also discuss the latest news in the life sciences, including a pair of indicted CEOs and the debate over how much an oft-debated new medicine should cost.

Dec 22, 202229 min

238: Leaky health data, ASH22, & what it takes to get booed by your peers

Katie Palmer, STAT's health tech correspondent, joins us to explain how the explosive popularity of telehealth is putting sensitive patient information into the hands of Facebook, TikTok, and other big tech firms. We also discuss the latest news in the life sciences, including highlights from a big hematology conference, a disastrous biotech IPO, and the downside of being a good quote.

Dec 15, 202236 min

236: Wither PhRMA, Alzheimer's treatment data revealed, and the first fecal microbiome drug approval

STAT Washington correspondent Rachel Cohrs joins us to explain how PhRMA, the all-powerful lobbying group, lost its edge in a fight over drug-pricing negotiation. Damian gives us the inside scoop on CTAD, the big Alzheimer's disease research conference, where Eisai and Biogen presented groundbreaking data on their treatment called lecanemab. We also discuss the FDA approval of a microbiome drug for the treatment of a bowel disorder and the potential for a big acquisition of Horizon Therapeutics.

Dec 01, 202233 min

235: LIVE from the STAT Summit

How do Alzheimer’s drugs even work? Can biotech people bake? And do we even like one another? Recorded live from the 2022 STAT Summit, we discuss the failure of an Alzheimer’s disease treatment from Roche, the unexpected success of a competing one for Eisai, and some unpredictable questions from our audience.

Nov 17, 202229 min

234: Biogen's new CEO, how the midterms affect science, & a biotech bankruptcy

STAT Washington correspondent Sarah Owermohle joins us to explain how this week's midterm elections will affect health and medicine, and what the politicization of the pandemic means for the future of science in the U.S. We also discuss the incoming CEOs of Biogen and Seagen, plus a pair of biotech collapses.

Nov 10, 202233 min

233: How the biotech revolution could come apart at the seams

Our colleague Matthew Herper joins us to discuss his thoughtful, personal story on how the biotech revolution that brought us genome editing, Covid-19 vaccines, and lifesaving medicines could run aground if humanity can't get out of its own way.

Nov 03, 202230 min

232: Anti-science at the polls, a biotech odd couple, & the stakes of the midterms

Our colleague Sarah Owermohle joins us to discuss how pandemic shutdowns, Covid-19 vaccines, and the prospect of arresting Anthony Fauci have become campaign rallying cries in midterm elections. We also discuss the latest news in the life sciences, including the potential effects of federal drug-price negotiation and the virtues of befriending Pharrell Williams.

Oct 27, 202223 min

230: BIO's messy transition, mRNA's future, & Biogen's next CEO

STAT Washington correspondent Rachel Cohrs joins us to explain the abrupt departure of the CEO of BIO, the lobbying group representing biotech on Capitol Hill, and its wider implications. We also discuss the latest news in the life sciences, including the future of mRNA, a promising startup closing its doors, and Biogen’s search for a new CEO.

Oct 13, 202234 min

229: Nobels for science, biotech dealmaking, & a friendly FTC

The newest Nobel laureates got their phone calls from Stockholm this week, and STAT science writer Megan Molteni joins us to explain their prize-winning work in medicine and chemistry. We also discuss the latest news in the life sciences, including the state of biotech dealmaking and the evolution of Amylyx Pharmaceuticals.

Oct 06, 202228 min

228: A surprise success in Alzheimer's and how FDA history seeded modern controversy

Lecanemab, a new Alzheimer's treatment from partners Biogen and Eisai, succeeded in a pivotal clinical trial, and we explain the surprising development and its sweeping implications. Then, oncologist Mikkael Sekeres joins us to talk about his new book, which is a history of the FDA and an insider’s look at one of the agency’s most contentious drug approval hearings.

Sep 29, 202236 min

227: Biden's Covid declaration, twilight of the SPAC, & genome editing 2.0

Heidi Tworek, a professor at the University of British Columbia and expert on public health communication, joins us to discuss President Biden's declaration that "the pandemic is over" and how leaders around the world are talking about Covid-19 as it enters its third year. We’ll also discuss the latest news in the life sciences, including the twilight of the SPAC boom, the coming evolution of genome editing, and the next big trial in Alzheimer’s disease.

Sep 22, 202234 min

224: The anti-aging research boom, the Godfather of biotech, & the future of Biogen

Our colleague Megan Molteni joins us to explain the scientific discoveries, rampant hype, and Silicon Valley billions behind the burgeoning field of longevity research. Then, we discuss the remarkable career of Stelios Papadopoulos, the venerated Godfather of biotech who faces the daunting task of saving Biogen.

Sep 01, 202235 min

223: Fauci's non-retirement, grading biotech VCs, & a bellwether IPO

Our colleague Helen Branswell joins to explain the Covid-19 booster debate, the Biden Administration’s monkeypox response, and the long career of the soon-to-step-down Anthony Fauci. We also discuss the latest news in the life sciences, including a milestone for gene therapy, the tentative return of an IPO market, and the venture capital league table.

Aug 25, 202230 min

222: Private equity in autism care, a watershed FDA approval, & the future of ALS treatment

First, STAT's Tara Bannow joins us to discuss how private equity's mounting interest in autism care has created an untenable situation for many parents in the U.S. We also explain the implications of Bluebird Bio's long-awaited FDA approval, a controversial treatment for ALS, and the ups and downs of Merck's reported interest in buying Seagen.

Aug 18, 202229 min

221: Big egos in Big Science, the return of Merger Monday, & the fallout over drug pricing

Are biotech's fortunes finally changing? Is Big Science impeding actual science? And what will Medicare negotiation mean for drug prices? STAT's Jason Mast joins us to discuss Jim Wilson, a pioneering scientist synonymous with the rise of gene therapy who staffers say presided over a toxic, abusive workplace. We also explain the latest news in the life sciences, including a multibillion-dollar deal, a novel approach to treating schizophrenia, and what the Senate drug pricing legislation means fo...

Aug 11, 202230 min

220: The last-minute push for drug pricing reform, Alnylam's success, and Sarepta's gamble

Is drug pricing reform really happening this time? Are things finally turning around for biotech? And is it ever wise to tweet your food? Rachel Cohrs, STAT's Washington correspondent, joins us to explain how congressional Democrats are on the verge of a coup in drug pricing — and what could still stand in their way. We also discuss the latest news in the life sciences, including some hotly anticipated data from Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, a $4 billion buyout deal, and other surprisingly good news ...

Aug 04, 202233 min

219: Helen Branswell on monkeypox, plus: an FDA controversy and fake Alzheimer's data

Can monkeypox be contained? Are snortable Covid-19 vaccines on the way? And when is a GIF worth $200,000? STAT's Helen Branswell joins us to explain the latest in the monkeypox outbreak and how health authorities are struggling to contain it. We also discuss the latest news in the life sciences, including some faked Alzheimer’s data, a brewing FDA controversy, and what it means when a scientific discovery gets turned into an NFT.

Jul 28, 202236 min

218: Well-paid CEOs, behind the scenes at Moderna, & Biogen's CEO search

Does any CEO deserve $500 million a year? How did Moderna hit it big? And who wants to run Biogen? STAT's Bob Herman joins us to explain why health care CEOs get paid so much — and why company-reported numbers don't tell the full story. Wall Street Journal reporter Peter Loftus calls in to talk about his book chronicling how Moderna went from secretive startup to household name. And we discuss the latest news in the life sciences, including Amazon's latest multibillion-dollar foray into primary ...

Jul 21, 202238 min

217: CRISPR for the heart, biotech's recovery, & what it means to be a 'hot girl'

Can CRISPR edit out a heart attack? What happens on #GutTok? And is health care recession-proof? Sek Kathiresan, cardiologist and CEO of Verve Therapeutics, joins us to explain the company's work on preventing heart disease with genome editing. Then, STAT's Isabella Cueto joins us to discuss "Hot girls have IBS," an internet in-joke that evolved into a movement for people with chronic illness. We also break down the latest news in the life sciences, including a long-awaited victory for Novavax a...

Jul 14, 202231 min

216: VC malaise, FDA confusion, & yet another Alzheimer's debate

Is the era of the unicorn over? What's gotten into the FDA? And will a NASH drug ever work? Our colleague Allison DeAngelis joins us to explain how the prolonged downturn for biotech stocks is stoking anxiety among venture capitalists. We also discuss an FDA plot twist for a novel ALS treatment, a second shot for a once-promising liver drug, and the latest in the Covid-19 pandemic.

Jul 07, 202229 min

215: Medical privacy post-Roe, fixing clinical trials, & the next Covid vaccines

How do you stop a Covid surge? Why are clinical trials so white? And what are the limits of HIPAA? Our colleague Eric Boodman joins us to discuss whether an oft-cited federal law can shield reproductive health data from state law enforcement in the wake of Roe v. Wade being overturned. Then, STAT's Angus Chen calls in to relate the story of an ambitious study and the quest to finally make clinical trials more equitable. We also explain a momentous FDA meeting and the debate over just what the Co...

Jun 30, 202234 min

214: Juul's doomsday, Merck's buyout plans, & the next Theranos verdict

Just how powerful is the FDA? Is Merck about to spend $40 billion? And what's a "Puff Bar"? STAT Washington correspondent Nicholas Florko joins us to discuss the FDA's decision to ban the sale of Juul Labs vaping products and a proposal to reduce the amount of nicotine in cigarettes. We’ll also explain the latest news in the life sciences, including a rumored blockbuster buyout and the next Theranos verdict.

Jun 23, 202227 min

213: How the Fed affects biotech, Paul Offit on vaccines for kids, & another Alzheimer's setback

Will biotech stocks ever recover? How well do Covid-19 vaccines work for kids? And can anything stop the amyloid hypothesis? Longtime biotech investor Les Funtleyder joins us to explain why the recent interest rate hike is bad for biotech and just what it will take for the industry to get out of its slump. Then, vaccinologist and FDA adviser Paul Offit calls in to talk about the impending authorization of Covid-19 vaccines for young children and what it means for the future of the pandemic. We a...

Jun 16, 202235 min

212: Applause-worthy cancer data, the long wait for Novavax, & the next FDA controversy

When is data "practice-changing"? How many Covid-19 vaccines do we need? And what does it mean when the FDA asks for more time? With the world's largest cancer conference just concluded, we explain the most important data presented at the meeting, including a blockbuster clinical trial that promises to change the treatment of advanced breast cancer. We also discuss an FDA controversy in the making, a pair of new Covid-19 vaccines, and the frustrating process of finding new treatments for depress...

Jun 09, 202236 min
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