After many U.S. biopharma companies posted sales declines in the first quarter, the domestic pharma industry largely bounced back to growth in the second quarter. 

In this episode of "The Top Line," Fierce Pharma's Eric Sagonowsky and Kevin Dunleavy break down the numbers behind the industry’s second-quarter performance.

Among U.S. pharma heavyweights, J&J, AbbVie, Pfizer, Regeneron, Bristol Myers Squibb and Biogen each eked out gains this past quarter. Their results varied, with individual stories worth highlighting at each of these major companies.

Beyond earnings, Sagonowsky and Dunleavy also discuss the growing competition in diabetes and obesity treatments between Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk, as well as Merck’s rising financial reliance on its blockbuster cancer drug Keytruda, among other topics. 

To learn more about the topics in this episode: 

• Several US pharma giants stage Q2 sales turnaround after subpar results earlier in year
• The battle of the obesity drug heavyweights
• 7 top pharmas posted revenue declines in Q1. The common thread? All are US firms
• Biopharma briefing: Q1 trends, gene therapy updates and ASCO preview

 

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While it’s been easy to grow a bit desensitized to the seemingly unstoppable sales growth of Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly’s GLP-1s quarter after quarter, this most recent earnings season delivered a few surprises. It’s a good moment to jump back in and assess where the two rivals stand in the market and where their pipelines are headed in the near term.

In this week’s episode of "The Top Line," we break down the recent commercial performances of Novo’s and Lilly’s drugs for diabetes and obesity, plus the status of their oral obesity med prospects. Fierce Biotech’s James Waldron sits down with Fierce Pharma’s Fraiser Kansteiner to discuss the latest in the companies’ ongoing obesity duel, as well as some recent pitfalls that seem common to GLP-1 development and commercialization more broadly.

To learn more about the topics in this episode: 

• Novo's outgoing CEO prepares to hand off business as sales threats from Lilly, GLP-1 compounders persist
• Amid MFN talks, Lilly chief warns US adoption of international drug prices could bring 'worst of two worlds'
• Novo Nordisk drops 2 obesity drugs as part of major pipeline clearout
• Lilly's oral GLP-1 data 'as good as it gets' at 12% weight loss, exec says
• Pfizer's embattled obesity program loses another GLP-1 over poor data and strong competition

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Following a barrage of letters from President Donald Trump urging 17 large pharmaceutical companies to implement Most Favored Nation drug pricing reforms in the U.S., analysts and industry watchers are questioning how far the president’s authority extends, while several drugmakers have signaled a willingness to negotiate.

In this week’s episode of "The Top Line," we break down the latest Most Favored Nation pricing pressures in the U.S., how companies are responding and which facets of the proposal might fall short of Trump’s goals. Fierce Pharma’s Eric Sagonowsky and Fraiser Kansteiner discuss the current state of those reform efforts and past attempts to rein in U.S. drug costs, followed by a brief discussion on tariffs.

To learn more about the topics in this episode: 

• Pfizer CEO touts 'extremely productive' talks with Trump administration as MFN pricing, tariff threats close in
• White House threatens to 'deploy every tool in our arsenal' to implement most-favored-nation drug pricing
• All branded drugs not facing generic, biosimilar competition must abide by MFN order in 'all markets,' HHS tells pharma
• Trump ups the ante on pharma tariffs, saying they will reach 250%

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In the latest episode of Health Matters, vaccine expert Dr. Paul Offit joins host Wendy Lund to discuss the growing crisis of vaccine hesitancy and what can be done to rebuild trust. Offit, director of the Vaccine Education Center at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, points to the COVID-19 pandemic as a turning point, citing perceived government overreach and widespread misinformation as key drivers of public distrust. He emphasizes that vaccine hesitancy is often rooted in reasonable concerns and calls on health care professionals to respond with empathy, not judgment.

Offit also outlines steps the industry can take to regain credibility, including amplifying trusted community voices, improving science communication, and putting a human face on pharmaceutical innovation. He shares moving stories from the field, including one about Dr. Penny Heaton’s work to develop a rotavirus vaccine and bring it to children in need. “We all want the same thing,” Offit says. “Healthy children, protected from preventable diseases.” Listen to the full episode for more insights on how the health care sector can meet this moment with clarity and compassion.

Disclaimer: 

All information provided on this podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. You should consult with qualified healthcare professionals before making any decisions related to your health. Any opinions expressed are those of the individuals expressing them and do not represent the views of the podcast or its affiliates.

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Over a whirlwind three weeks, Sarepta Therapeutics has faced tough safety questions around its commercial gene therapy Elevidys and growing scrutiny over the company’s transparency following multiple patient deaths. 

In this week’s episode of "The Top Line," we explore Sarepta’s brief standoff with the FDA over Elevidys, a short-lived marketing pause, and the regulator’s surprise reversal on the treatment. Fierce Pharma’s Fraiser Kansteiner and Angus Liu sit down with Fierce Biotech’s Gabrielle Masson to recap the story and discuss the broader implications the Elevidys saga may have for gene therapy, the FDA and the pharmaceutical industry.

To learn more about the topics in this episode: 

• Sarepta pivots to siRNA and lays off 500 staffers as Elevidys gets box warning
• Sarepta LGMD trials all hit by FDA hold amid newly surfaced safety concerns over gene therapy
• Sarepta, bowing to FDA pressure, pauses shipments of Duchenne gene therapy Elevidys
• FDA takes U-turn on Sarepta's Elevidys, backing Duchenne gene therapy again in ambulatory patients
• Analysts demand transparency after Sarepta's roundabout disclosure of 3rd patient death
• Roche won't throw in the towel after DMD gene therapy Elevidys' rebuff in Europe

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With an uptick in licensing deals and promising data emerging from China-based biopharmas, especially in oncology, it’s clear the country is poised to play a major role in life sciences for the foreseeable future.

In this week’s episode of "The Top Line," we trace China’s ascent in R&D and drug discovery and examine how U.S. and European drugmakers are capitalizing on the momentum through a surge in licensing activity.

Fierce Pharma’s Fraiser Kansteiner sits down with Mark Lansdell, director at Evaluate, to break down the policies fueling China’s growth, how global companies are engaging with Chinese assets and which modalities and indications are commanding the most attention.

To learn more about the topics in this episode: 

• China approves 4 new drugs, including a global first-in-class medicine
• With China approval, Lilly and Innovent's mazdutide breaks into new class for GLP-1 obesity drugs
• China biotechs ‘reshaping’ US biopharma as outlicensing deals rise 11%: Jefferies report
• China proposes shorter clinical trial reviews in efforts to accelerate drug development

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In this episode of "The Top Line," Ayla Ellison, Editor-in-Chief of Fierce Life Sciences and Healthcare, sits down with two longtime industry leaders to talk about what it takes to stand out and grow in today’s pharma marketing landscape. 

Zoe Dunn, president and CEO of Hale Advisors, and Paul Murasko, head of digital innovation and marketing operations at Azurity Pharmaceuticals, reflect on how the industry has evolved—from print to digital to AI—and what early-career professionals need to know to thrive. As co-chairs of the Rising Stars program at this year’s Fierce Pharma Week, Dunn and Murasko share their insights on mentorship, innovation and how the next generation can navigate a highly regulated field while staying grounded in the fundamentals.

To learn more about the topics in this episode: 

• Fierce Pharma Week Information and Agenda
• Fierce Pharma Week Registration
• Rising Stars Program at Fierce Pharma Week 

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Layoffs in biopharma show no signs of slowing, with workforce reductions holding steady across the first two quarters of 2025.

In this week’s episode of "The Top Line," Fierce Deputy Editor Andrea Park and Fierce Biotech Senior Editor Gabrielle Masson break down the latest layoff trends and how they compare to last year.

Tune in for a look at the numbers so far, the pace of biotech closures and how federal policy shifts are affecting the industry.

To learn more about the topics in this episode: 

• Biopharma layoffs for first half of the year jump 32% YOY
• Fierce Biotech Layoff Tracker 2025

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In the latest episode of the Health Matters podcast, Wendy Lund sits down with Peter Pitts, former FDA associate commissioner and current president of the Center for Medicine in the Public Interest, to discuss the state of regulatory science and communication in health care. Pitts shares a cautiously optimistic outlook for the FDA under Commissioner Makary, noting the agency's renewed focus on innovation, patient engagement and modernization. He also stresses the importance of alignment among marketing, legal and regulatory teams—what he calls “regulatory therapy”—to ensure health communications serve the public good.

The conversation spans high-stakes topics such as direct-to-consumer advertising, misinformation, and missed PDUFA dates, with Pitts urging both regulators and industry leaders to improve transparency and collaboration. He calls on pharmaceutical companies to put patients first in communications and avoid blaming the FDA when approvals stall. Pitts also encourages the agency to learn from industry on how to better engage the public. For more insights—and a candid look at where the health care conversation needs to go—tune in to the full episode.

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Two and a half years into his tenure as Teva’s CEO, Richard Francis is breaking down the strategy that’s powered the company through nine consecutive quarters of growth.

On this week’s episode of "The Top Line," Fierce Pharma’s Fraiser Kansteiner sits down with Francis to talk about the progress made so far on Teva’s “Pivot to Growth” strategy and what comes next. They dig into the strategies behind the company’s chief commercial medicines, its pipeline darlings and the way Teva’s generic and biosimilar backbone is expected to evolve through the end of the decade. 

To learn more about the topics in this episode: 

• As Austedo, Ajovy and Uzedy gain steam, Teva banks on $5B-plus in 2030 innovative drug sales
• Teva plots thousands of job cuts as restructuring drive enters 'acceleration' phase
• Teva taps Matthew Shields to oversee manufacturing and supply division amid company revamp

This week's episode is sponsored by Cencora. 

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