Listen: Shkreli on film, the next NIH director, and a looming FDA deadline

Did we learn anything from the Martin Shkreli saga? Who will run the NIH? And what does science owe Henrietta Lacks?

We cover all that and more this week on “The Readout LOUD,” STAT’s biotech podcast. First, we discuss the scramble to find new leaders for the NIH and FDA, the latest online dustup involving Ginkgo Bioworks, and the growing promise of antiviral treatments for Covid-19. Then, filmmaker Brent Hodge joins us to discuss his documentary “Pharma Bro,” which chronicles the trial, conviction, and prolific livestreaming of one Martin Shkreli.

For more on what we cover, here’s where you can stream “Pharma Bro”; here’s the latest on the NIH; here’s the story on Ginkgo; here’s the news on Merck’s Covid-19 pill; here’s more on the Henrietta Lacks estate lawsuit; here’s where you can subscribe to the First Opinion Podcast; and here’s our complete coverage of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Be sure to sign up on Apple Podcasts, 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].