Direct-to-patient models are no longer an experiment - they're becoming a critical part of the modern prescription journey. In this sponsored episode of The Top Line, host Kelly Hogan talks with Jeremy Richardson, chief commercial officer at GiftHealth, about how DTP is redefining access, transparency and speed in pharma commercialization.

Richardson shares insights from more than a decade in specialty pharmacy and explains where the traditional model breaks down for patients and providers. He addresses common misconceptions about DTP, including the belief that it only works for cash-pay or consumer-driven drugs, and outlines how a single, seamless platform can support medications across therapeutic areas and price points.

With experience guiding more than 7 million patients through their prescription journeys, Richardson discusses what manufacturers truly need from a DTP partner, how technology can accelerate time to therapy and why ease and transparency are becoming nonnegotiable expectations. He also looks ahead to where the prescription journey is headed - and what pharma commercial leaders must do now to keep pace.

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Recorded last week at Fierce Biotech Week in Boston, this episode of “The Top Line” features a conversation with Kristen Fortney, Ph.D., co-founder and CEO of BioAge Labs.

In a conversation with Ayla Ellison, editor-in-chief of Fierce Healthcare and Life Sciences, Fortney discusses the company’s decade-long effort to use human aging data to identify drug targets tied to longevity and age-related disease. She also breaks down BioAge’s oral NLRP3 inhibitor, BGE-102, which the company believes could have applications across cardiovascular, ocular and CNS diseases by targeting inflammation linked to aging biology.

The conversation also explores why pharma companies are paying closer attention to aging and exercise biology, how GLP-1 drugs are reshaping conversations around prevention and what the future of aging-related medicine could look like.

To learn more about the topics in this episode: 

• BioAge CEO has big plans for 'multi-disease impact' of NLRP3 drug across cardio, ocular and CNS
• Novartis, BioAge take on age-related diseases in $550M pact
• What can we learn from 2024’s biotech IPOs?

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Emerging pharma organizations face unique technology challenges as they prepare for launch. Expectations for AI-enabled decision-making continue to rise, even as teams remain small and operate in highly regulated environments. In this sponsored episode of The Top Line, Fierce Biotech host Kelly Hogan speaks with JR Raelin, executive director of analytics and insight at SynOx Therapeutics and Krishna GS, business technology solutions manager at ZS, about how first-launch and emerging companies can design an agentic future-ready technology road map.

The conversation examines common pitfalls, including chasing new technology and AI trends before establishing data readiness, underinvesting in integration, and relying on fragmented point solutions. Raelin and Krishna explain why strong data foundations, governance, and interoperability are prerequisites for. and how agentic AI—when built on that foundation—can close the gap between insight and action in real commercial workflows.

Listeners will also hear a framework for scaling platforms over time, guidance on what effective implementation looks like in the first 60 to 90 days, and examples of connected workflows across commercial, medical, and patient functions. The episode closes with a compelling case for why the agentic roadmap is the most important strategic asset a first-launch company builds before its second product—and how getting it right converts a single launch into a portfolio intelligence engine.

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Despite a prolonged period of policy uncertainty in the U.S.—and the ripple effects across the global life sciences and healthcare industries—executives at health companies are still seeing opportunities amid the tumult. In many cases, they’re finding that the resilient business models they built through disruptions like the pandemic have positioned their companies not just to survive, but to thrive in a new normal for the industry.

In this episode of “The Top Line,” Fierce Pharma’s Fraiser Kansteiner chats with Glenn Hunzinger, PwC’s U.S. health industries leader, about results from the firm’s recent survey on investor sentiment. Focusing on health companies, Hunzinger explains how many innovative drugmakers have managed to capitalize on the shifting environment. Still, he warns that a more uncertain landscape for U.S. innovation and continued tariff pressures on sectors such as medtech could pose challenges down the line.

To learn more about the topics in this episode: 

• AstraZeneca CEO's conservative MFN model excludes reference markets from forecast
• As Johnson & Johnson navigates changing tariff landscape, execs lay out their expectations
• Trump eyes 100% tariff rate for companies that have not struck MFN deals: Bloomberg

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After months of mixed messaging from the White House, the pharmaceutical industry has gained more clarity on the second Trump administration’s import tariff policy for drugs. While many of the industry’s biggest firms have navigated the trade threat through investment pledges and drug pricing deals, the current landscape remains murkier for small- and mid-sized drugmakers.

In this episode of “The Top Line,” Fierce Pharma’s Fraiser Kansteiner sits down with Chris Young, a principal in KPMG’s trade and customs practice, to discuss the pharma tariff landscape following President Donald Trump’s announcement in early April of a potential 100% tariff on imported drugs. Young explains how the policy could affect smaller drugmakers that haven’t inked high-profile pricing deals with the government and shares best practices for navigating the rapidly evolving U.S. trade environment.

To learn more about the topics in this episode: 

• An update on the pharma industry’s reshoring effort
• Trump eyes 100% tariff rate for companies that have not struck MFN deals: Bloomberg
• Trump's tariff threats, measured by manufacturing
• UK signs off on US pharma deal, ensuring tariff reprieve as Britain aims to reattract investments

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In this sponsored episode of The Top Line, host Kelly Hogan speaks with Dr. Bettine Boltres, director of scientific affairs, integrated systems at West Pharmaceutical Services, about the development of the West Synchrony prefillable syringe system. As drug pipelines grow and regulatory expectations increase, pharma and biotech companies face mounting pressure to reduce complexity while accelerating development timelines. 

Dr. Boltres explains how West Synchrony addresses these challenges by offering a fully integrated system rather than a collection of individual components. By providing complete design verification data, system level specifications and a single global regulatory package, West enables developers to eliminate redundant testing, streamline submissions and move more quickly into clinical fill. 

The discussion highlights the benefits of single supplier accountability, improved supply security and reduced risk across development and commercialization. Designed for biologics and modern vaccines, West Synchrony sets a new standard in prefillable syringe systems.

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Theranostics is transforming cancer care, but scaling these treatments requires overcoming operational and workforce challenges. In this episode of The Top Line, Curium’s Mike Patterson discusses how access, safety and trust are shaping the next phase of growth for targeted radiopharmaceutical therapies.

Patterson explains why strong coordination across ordering, manufacturing and distribution is essential to delivering therapies on time. He also explores how building trust with physicians, care teams and patients requires education, consistent communication and reliable support at every stage of the treatment process.

As theranostics expands into community settings, new challenges are emerging. Workforce shortages, training needs and the importance of standardized practices are key considerations for scaling safely. Patterson shares how industry collaboration can help address these gaps while maintaining high standards of care.

He also outlines a future defined by greater access, reduced travel burdens and a more seamless patient experience. Listen to the full episode to learn how Curium is working to make theranostics more accessible across the United States.

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It’s a pivotal year for RNA therapeutics pioneer Ionis Pharmaceuticals. 

After transitioning from a partnering model to a full-ownership strategy following the 2024 approval of Tryngolza, the company is expecting an FDA decision to expand the drug into severe hypertriglyceridemia as its first non-rare-disease indication for a wholly owned product. Meanwhile, potentially game-changing phase 3 readouts are expected from Ionis’ Novartis-partnered lipoprotein(a) candidate and AstraZeneca-partnered ATTR cardiomyopathy program.

In this week’s episode of "The Top Line," Fierce’s Angus Liu interviews Ionis CEO Brett Monia, Ph.D. He discusses the science of antisense oligonucleotides, the significance of the two closely watched upcoming clinical readouts, and what it takes to turn a 30-year-old discovery platform into a full-fledged commercial biotech.

To learn more about the topics in this episode: 

• Ionis slashes Tryngolza's price tag by 93% ahead of anticipated label expansion 
• 'It’s going to be huge': The 'diabolical' molecule poised to become biotech's next gold rush 
• AstraZeneca sets sights on 25+ blockbusters by 2030 to fuel $80B revenue ambition 
• As questions swirl around ATTR competition, Alnylam plots path to market leadership for Amvuttra 
• Ionis exec shares method to the Madness after 2026 Drug Name Tournament win 
• Ionis plots FDA filing after rare neurological disease candidate posts phase 3 win 

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Speed, precision, and visibility are critical to clinical trial success, and logistics plays a central role in delivering all three. In this interview, Manishaa O’Brien, director of commercial operations at Marken UPS Healthcare Precision Logistics, shares how the Laboratory Advantage service line is helping central labs and sponsors accelerate timelines while maintaining sample integrity and compliance.

O’Brien discusses how Marken’s global network, combined with its air and ground fleet, connects clinical sites worldwide and expands access to diverse patient populations. She explains how enhanced tracking, integrated data systems and a 99.5% on-time performance rate support reliable, end-to-end visibility for lab partners. Dedicated account management and tailored logistics solutions further strengthen collaboration and help ensure regulatory requirements are met.

The conversation also explores key trends shaping the future of clinical trial logistics, including increasing complexity, the rise of AI-driven routing and the growing importance of sustainability. From automation to eco-friendly packaging innovations, Marken is building a more efficient and resilient supply chain. Watch the full interview to learn how these advancements are helping clinical trials move faster and smarter.

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President Donald Trump has struck a deal with the UK that exempts prescription drugs imported to the United States from tariffs for three years. In exchange, Britain’s National Health Service will pay 25% more for new drugs. The question now is: Can the U.S. negotiate similar deals with other countries?

In this week’s episode of "The Top Line," we examine the drug pricing agreement between the UK and the U.S. Fierce Pharma’s Kevin Dunleavy explores the issue with Jeffrey Gerrish, who served as deputy U.S. trade representative for Asia, Europe and the Middle East during the first Trump administration. 

They break down the specifics of the UK-U.S. partnership and whether the deal could be applied to other countries to bring drug prices more in line with those in the U.S. They also discuss Trump’s other attempts to use America’s economic power to secure drug pricing agreements.

To learn more about the topics in this episode: 

• UK signs off on US pharma deal, ensuring tariff reprieve as Britain aims to reattract investments
• Merck executes its own Brexit, moving all R&D operations out of UK
• AstraZeneca's Soriot is considering move of stock listing to the US: Times

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