The removal of small amounts of brain tissue from desperately ill patients, done as part of a Mount Sinai research project, triggered alarm bells at the Food and Drug Administration and has raised broader questions about the scientific and ethical justification for live-brain research. Journalist and STAT contributor Katherine Eban joins “The Readout LOUD” podcast to discuss the results of a two-year investigation. We also discuss Novartis’ effort to acquire MorphoSys, and the latest news on Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk’s blockbuster obesity drugs with Elaine Chen, the newest member of STAT’s biotech reporting team.

We bring on biotech veteran Clive Meanwell to discuss his new obesity startup, Metsera, and running head-to-head trials against Wegovy and Zepbound. We also dissect how Teledoc CEO Jason Gorevic parted ways with the company after spending 15 years building the telemedicine field.

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How would you spend $13 billion in cash? Is biotech stale? And remember Dendreon?

We cover all that and more this week on “The Readout LOUD,” STAT’s biotech podcast. We discuss a multibillion-dollar deal from Vertex Pharmaceuticals with sweeping implications and a lengthy backstory. We also explain why gas prices are weighing on biotech, and make a surprise announcement.

Oruka Therapeutics CEO Lawrence Klein joins us to discuss how his company raised its first round of financing before competing with major players in the inflammation space. We also discuss the latest news in the life sciences, including the end of the Amylyx ALS saga, another use case for GLP-1s, and a hurdle in Verve’s gene editing plans. 

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.

Our colleague Sarah Owermohle joins us to explain the Supreme Court case that could have dramatic effects on access to medication abortion — and the development of new medicines. We also discuss the latest news in the life sciences, including a contrarian take on a new obesity treatment, a congressional effort to ban Chinese biotech companies, and how we managed to make 300 episodes of this podcast.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.