Biotech Hangout

• 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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• Episode 149 - July 25, 2025

  On this week’s episode, Eric Schmidt, Paul Matteis, Sam Fazeli, and Brian Skorney begin with a recap of the week’s Sarepta news, covering their initial refusal then agreement to pause Elevidys shipments, if it can return to the market, the broader lessons for the biotech industry, and the communication breakdown between Sarepta and the FDA. Continuing with regulatory news, the group discusses the appointment of George Tidmarsh as the new CDER director and his role within FDA leadership. The conversation then turns to Replimune’s CRL for RP1 melanoma, Prasad’s likely influence in the rejection, and the impact on the investment community. In data news, the group overviews Alkermes’ positive Phase 1 data for its orexin 2 receptor agonist for type 1 narcolepsy, along with the safety controversy, and Abivax’s Phase 3 ulcerative colitis data and stock spike. Prime Medicine’s decision to reprice shares and strategies for better talent retention is also highlighted. The episode concludes with a brief overview of first-half 2025 licensing data, Roche earnings, and AstraZeneca’s $50 billion U.S. investment. *This episode aired on July 25, 2025.

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• Episode 148 - July 18, 2025

  On this week's episode, Josh Schimmer, Chris Garabedian, Sam Fazeli, Yaron Werber and guest Adam Feuerstein dive into breaking news, including Sarepta's recent updates -- layoffs, a black box warning, and pipeline reorganization -- and the juxtaposition of Amylyx's post-bariatric hypoglycemia and GLP-1 inhibitor following a webinar update at ENDO 2025. In regulatory news, the group discusses the evolving FDA under Makary's leadership, examining agency morale, rapid review processes for favorable drug pricing, and recent CRLs including Ultragenyx. The discussion then explores what these changes mean for CBER and Peter Marks' accelerated approval pathway for orphan disorders, alongside the ODAC panel for GSK's belantamab for multiple myeloma and the broader space. Market sentiment analysis reveals encouraging signs with the second quarter and first half reports on VC investment showing a clear uptick, along with additional positive feedback from a CEO forum on the FDA’s listening tour. The group shares some interesting stats around M&A so far this year, demonstrating strong momentum and a possible trajectory to possibly beat, or at least meet, the 2020 numbers. Data updates include, lung cancer survey insights, DiaMedica’s preeclampsia results, obesity updates from Hengrui/Kailera and Chinese biotech. The episode wraps with an overview of Novartis and J&J earnings reports. *This episode aired on July 18, 2025.

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