Listen: Another big Alzheimer’s failure, postpartum progress, and Long Island shores

Should Alzheimer’s researchers just give up on amyloid plaques? What will a new drug mean for moms with postpartum depression? And which coastal region of Long Island is superior?

We discuss all that and more on the latest episode of “The Readout LOUD,” STAT’s biotech podcast. With Damian Garde on vacation, our STAT colleague Matthew Herper joins us as a special guest co-host. First up, STAT senior science writer Sharon Begley helps us break down the very big and very disappointing news about the failure of Biogen’s closely watched experimental Alzheimer’s treatment, known as aducanumab. Next, Sage Therapeutics CEO Jeff Jonas calls in to talk about his company’s approval this week for a new drug for postpartum depression. Finally, Jeff sticks around for a special lightning round in which we make him weigh in on Theranos villain Elizabeth Holmes and the New England Patriots, among other topics.

For more on what we cover on the Alzheimer’s front, here’s the news about the aducanumab failure; here’s an analysis of the implications for Biogen; and here’s a look at what’s next in the pipeline. And for more on postpartum depression, here’s the lowdown on Sage’s drug approval; here’s a profile of Jeff Jonas; and here’s our STAT colleague Alissa Ambrose’s essay about her own experience with postpartum depression.

We’ll be back next Thursday evening — and every Thursday evening — so be sure to sign up on iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play, or wherever you get your podcasts.

And if you have any feedback for us — topics to cover, guests to invite, vocal tics to cease — you can email [email protected].

Interested in sponsoring a future episode of “The Readout LOUD”? Email us at [email protected].