Biotech Hangout

• Episode 154 - September 12, 2025

  On this week’s episode, Chris Garabedian, Tess Cameron, EricSchmidt, Sam Fazeli, and Brad Loncar open with a look at the market environment as biotech sees its first IPO since February -- LB Pharma -- and financings, including Maze’s $150M PIPE and Rapport’s $250M follow-on. The co-hosts discuss improving sentiment around rates, the $XBI, and insights from conversations at the HC Wainwright conference. Novartis’ $1.4B acquisition of Tourmaline Bio and broader deal-making dynamics are also highlighted. On thepolicy front, the group examines the latest China biotech news, including a draft executive order from the Trump Administration. The co-hosts debate access, geopolitical concerns, and the FDA’s slower trial-startup process. Indata news, the co-hosts examine Revolution Medicines’ pancreatic cancer therapy, emerging small-cell lung cancer data from the World Conference on Lung Cancer, Summit’s mixed readout and market reaction, and promising newnarcolepsy data from Takeda and Alkermes. Dianthus’ positive generalized myasthenia gravis results are also highlighted. Regulatory and safety updates cover the FDA’s withdrawal of Intercept’s liver drug, a patient death in Capsida’s gene therapy trial, Soleno’s FAERS-related stock drop, SEC action on Fibrogen data manipulation, and cancellations of several FDA ad comms raising transparency questions. The episode concludes with a discussion on BridgeBio accusing Alnylam and Pfizer of aggressive tactics in the ATTR-CM market, Arena Bioworks appointing veteran Harvey Berger as CEO, and Novo Nordisk’s 11% workforce reduction. *This episode aired on September 12, 2025.

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• Episode 153 - September 5, 2025

  On this week’s episode, hosts Paul Matteis, Sam Fazeli, John Maraganore, and Graig Suvannaveijh kick off the discussion with a more positive look at the sector and some of the fundamental factors at play. The group then shares an overview of Sanofi’s 10% stock fall on the back of positive Phase 3 eczema data with worries about the Dupixent patent expiry. The discussion then turns to Insmed, a company that has had a monster year with the stock up 100% and a market cap of over $30 billion market. On the data front, the group highlights ApoC3 data from Ionis and Arrowhead at the European Society of Cardiology Congress 2025, which leads into a discussion around ASO versus RNAi. With multiple obesity readouts in recent weeks, the group theorizes on whether obesity is a zero sum game. It’s a big year ahead for AD readouts and the hosts summarizes some important catalysts on the horizon. Other discussion topics include the launch of Corsera Health for cardiovascular prevention, Trump’s Truth Social post on vaccine data, RFK Jr in front of congress, and public concern around access to vaccines. This episode aired on September 5, 2025.

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• Episode 152 - August 15, 2025

  On this week’s episode, Josh Schimmer, Eric Schmidt, and Tess Cameron kick off with policy, discussing Vinay Prasad’s return to the FDA and the implications for the biotech industry. The conversation turns to NIH’s Jay Bhattacharya, who attributed the decline in public trust in mRNA vaccines to perception rather than safety or efficacy, citing this as the reason to curtail funding. In market trends, the co-hosts discuss investor blind spots, specifically near-term product launches. Next, the group examines whether rising drug prices are sustainable and the six-month IPO drought. They also debate how non-commercial companies approach earnings calls, pointing to Summit Therapeutics’ choice to skip its Q2 call and whether most development-stage biotechs should follow suit. ARS Pharmaceuticals’ earnings/epinephrine nasal spray launch and RTW Investments deal with Aquestive Therapeutics are also overviewed. The episode concludes with data news, covering Insmed’s lung disease approval and Sarepta’s safety update. *This episode aired on August 15, 2025.

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• Episode 151 - August 8, 2025

  On this week’s episode, Grace Colón, John Maraganore, Paul Matteis and Eric Schmidt dive in with a discussion on policy news, including the pharma tariffs and latest on the Trump administration’s Most Favored Nations drug pricing plans. The co-hosts then question if Vinay Prasad has a path back to the FDA and express hope for someone more centrist if he does not return. They also mention the CRLs for Scholar Rock and Regeneron were due to manufacturing issues. Continuing with policy news, they cover RFK Jr.’s decision to cancel ~$500 million in Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) contracts related to mRNA vaccine development. In data news, the group discusses Vertex’s latest non-opioid pain data and the company’s future in this therapeutic area. Next, the co-hosts highlight Alnylam’s recently approved treatment for cardiomyopathy, noting it has surpassed consensus estimates and predicting mega-blockbuster status. A recent report on patient deaths among those who took Agios’ Pyrukynd for anemia - though determined to be unrelated to the drug - is also discussed. The co-hosts then review Biogen’s new “ventures” team, and the episode concludes with an overview of Novartis and Avidity deal rumors. *This episode aired on August 8, 2025.

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• Episode 150 - August 1, 2025

  On this week's episode, Daphne Zohar, Josh Schimmer, Brian Skorney, Paul Matteis, Sam Fazeli, Brad Loncar, and Matt Gline cover top news surrounding Trump's pricing letters to 17 major pharma companies demanding U.S. price cuts on new drugs, and the relevance to his MFN initiative. They also touch on Dr. Mehmet Oz’s meetings with biotech leaders in D.C. and looming tariff risks. The group discusses Vinay Prasad’s departure from CBER, opining on implications for biotech, and sharing insights from the CEO listening session with Marty Makary and George Tidmarsh. Next, they review the latest Sarepta news, including Vinay Prasad’s response to the patient deaths and broader credibility themes. To close out the regulatory discussion, RFK Jr.’s proposal to overhaul the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) is discussed. In deals and restructuring news, the co-hosts unpack the GSK-Hengrui partnership amid China outlicensing trends, BMS/Bain’s new spinout company, Galapagos’s restructuring plans, and AbbVie’s reportedly targeting a $1B buyout of Gilgamesh. They also highlight drug launch momentum, with strong quarters from Alnylam, Argenx, and Neurocrine, challenging the “shorting the launch” thesis. The conversation shifts to data with Roche’s Alzheimer’s updates and expectations around Lilly’s abeta prevention study, touching on implications for the anti-amyloid class and Biogen’s outlook, including rising use of blood-based biomarkers and earnings commentary. They also discuss Compass’s regulatory strategy for psychedelics. The episode concludes with each co-host reflecting on market sentiment and the industry’s current state. *This episode aired on August 1, 2025.

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