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 pill targeting PCSK9.

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 news for Gilead Sciences and a rare victory for a small biotech company.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 response.

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.

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 Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla listens to Joe Rogan.