Biotech Hangout

• Episode 158 - October 10, 2025

  On this week’s episode, Tess Cameron, Brian Skorney, Sam Fazeli, Yaron Werber, and Luba Greenwood, kick off with a pop quiz on the last time the $XBI hit 105 (spoiler, it was 2021) driven by recent positive news. The co-hosts highlight a steady rate of M&A activity, including Novo Nordisk’s acquisition of Akero Therapeutics highlighting continued interest in metabolic conditions and BMS’ acquisition of Orbital Therapeutics reflecting growing momentum around in vivo CAR-T delivery platforms. The LB Pharma and MapLight IPOs are also mentioned. The conversation shifts to AI pharma deals, spotlighting AstraZeneca’s partnership with Algen Biotechnologies and Sanofi’s collaboration with BenchSci, both designed to accelerate discovery and target identification. In other financing news, the co-hosts cover Nilo Therapeutics’ $101 million Series A financing and the debut of Ascenta’s $325 million biotech fund. In data news, the group covers Arcus’ HIF-2a monotherapy data in kidney cancer, Dyne Therapeutics’ encouraging results in DM1, and Ionis’ pipeline and platform updates presented at its Innovation Day. The episode concludes with Lexeo Therapeutics’ regulatory updates for its Freidreich’s ataxis gene therapy and discussion on Peter Marks’ transition from the head of CBER to Eli Lilly, noting the pharma-agency “revolving door.” *This episode aired on October 10, 2025.

  --------  

  1:00:10

  --------

  1:00:10
• Episode 157 - October 3, 2025

  On this week’s episode, Eric Schimidt, Sam Fazeli, Brian Skorney, Yaron Werber, and Brad Loncar open withmacro news including Pfizer’s deal with the White House on U.S. drug manufacturing and pricing, which helped shelve the Most Favored Nation pricing and looming tariffs. The co-hosts agreed it was a savvy move that secured goodwillfor the industry and gave investors confidence, leading to new XBI highs. Discussion then moved to regulatory updates with the new CDER head, George Tidmarsh, stirring controversy with now-deleted LinkedIn posts criticizing surrogate endpoints. Combined with recent CRLs on CMC grounds, the group debates inconsistency at the agency and top-down decision-making that adds uncertainty for companies and investors. In M&A, Genmab’s $8 billionacquisition of Merus and competitive dynamics with Bicara are mentioned, along with whether the streak of weekly biotech deals marks a broader industry trend. In data, the co-hosts discussed MoonLake’s hidradenitis suppurativa data and stock moves, Larimar’s Friedreich’s ataxia data and stock fall, along with Enanta’s RSV data and big stock reversal. The episode concludes with a look ahead as the group discusses Q4 conferences, including ESMO, and Q3 earnings risks forcertain companies. *This episode aired on October 3, 2025.

  --------  

  1:00:06

  --------

  1:00:06
• Episode 156 - September 26, 2025

  On this week’s episode, Sam Fazeli, Eric Schmidt, PaulMatteis, Brian Skorney, and Brad Loncar dive into what was a positive week for biotech, marked by M&A, offerings, and compelling clinical data, spotlighting Pfizer’s acquisition of Metsera. The conversation shifts to data, starting with UniQure’s three-year Huntington’s disease gene therapy results and Acadia’s Phase 3 results in Prader-Willi syndrome, and the implications for Soleno and Rhythm Therapeutics. Next, the co-hosts overview Stealth Bio’s approval in Barth syndrome and signs of the FDA’s flexibility. Cidara Therapeutics’ influenza prophylaxis antibody and enthusiasm around the Phase 3 results are also discussed. Additionally, positive data from MBX in chronic hypoparathyroidism and PepGen in DM1 further showcase biotech’s rebound, with positive stock reactions. The episode closes with a look at what’s happening at the FDA (some flexibility in rare diseases, CRLs), the latest MAHA press conference – discussion around Tylenol & autism specifically -- and public trust in science. *This episode aired on September 26, 2025. 

  --------  

  1:02:31

  --------

  1:02:31
• Episode 155 - September 19, 2025

  On this week’s episode, Daphne Zohar, Josh Schimmer, Luba Greenwood and Matt Gline open with a look at overall market sentiment, spotlighting Stifel’s bullish report on the biotech sector’s nice recovery since April’s “liberation day” with the XBI up over 40%, the recent wave of M&A activity, and the Biotech Winter. The co-hosts then highlight recent deals, including Roche’s $3.5 billion acquisition of 89Bio and Novartis’s $5.7 billion licensing agreement with Monte Rosa Therapeutics. In data news, the group overviews aTyr Pharma’s Phase 3 results in pulmonary sarcoidosis, with Matt Gline sharing perspective on the therapeutic area after Roivant’s similar fate. Next, long-versus-short dynamics around biotech data readouts are highlighted, along with positive data sets from Areteia and Apollo. Matt also details Roivant’s positive Phase 3 results in dermatomyositis. The conversation then turns to big pharma’s exodus from the UK, as several companies including Merck, AstraZeneca, and Eli Lilly scale back large investments. The co-hosts explore possible causes for the pullback, such as heavy regulation and tax incentives holding back innovation. Michal Preminger joins the discussion to share her unique insights on UK and US biotech hubs and draws attention to the Massachusetts paradox and the impact on the biopharma industry. *This episode aired on September 19, 2025

  --------  

  58:10

  --------

  58:10
• 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.

  --------  

  1:02:01

  --------

  1:02:01

Más podcasts de Ciencias

Podcasts a la moda de Ciencias

Acerca de Biotech Hangout