In a massive victory for Democrats, Medicare is poised to negotiate drug prices
After a major vote Sunday, President Biden is on the verge of his own crowning health care achievement to call, in his words, a BFD.
‘What can we do?’: Pharma lobbyists face their biggest test in a decade, as Democrats barrel toward a vote on drug pricing
Pharma’s lobbyists are staring down their biggest test yet, as Democrats barrel toward a vote on drug pricing reform.
Russian aggression underscores the U.S.’s need for greater investment in medical countermeasures
U.S. policymakers and lawmakers need to broaden their vision beyond pandemic preparedness to include preparing for human-generated chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats.
Michelle McMurry-Heath
As CEO for the world’s largest biotech lobbying organization, McMurry-Heath is a regular (virtual) presence on Capitol Hill, where she has spent the past year arguing against Biden administration proposals to impose price controls on drugs and suspend patent protection for vaccines. But McMurry-Heath, a molecular immunologist and former Johnson & Johnson executive, is also…
Scott Gottlieb: Trump’s shadow FDA commissioner during Covid-19?
Former FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb writes that he briefed Trump multiple times in the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic, roughly a year after he stepped down as FDA commissioner.
How one vape shop is openly defying FDA regulations
One of the companies affected by recent FDA restrictions on certain vape makers is openly bragging that it found a loophole to stay in business.
‘Change is messy’: Inside the tumultuous efforts to stabilize BIO, the biotech lobby
BIO, the lobbying group for biotech companies, is wrestling with inner turmoil that could threaten its ability to navigate Washington.
Waiving intellectual property rights would compromise global vaccination efforts
Embedding delicate mRNA vaccine molecules inside lipid nanoparticle shells at temperatures colder than Antarctica isn't as easy as following a recipe from Bon Appetit.
As White House mulls FDA commissioner job, a sign of industry backing for Woodcock surfaces
"Janet Woodcock is industry's favorite candidate. This is probably not a coincidence,” said Adriane Fugh-Berman of Georgetown University.
The 36 best books and podcasts on health and science to check out this summer
The STAT summer book list is back: Check out recommendations for great reads (and podcasts) from the likes of Anthony Fauci, @CDCDirector, @ChelseaClinton, STAT readers and staff, and more!
The lonely quest to create a commission to investigate Covid-19
Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) escalated his campaign for a 9/11 Commission-style panel to investigate the government response to Covid-19 with a rally at a New Jersey hospital Monday.
BIO’s chief on the FDA commissioner rumors, drug pricing, and IP rights
Everyone wants to know whether BIO president Michelle McMurry-Heath will be Biden’s pick to lead the FDA — and whether she even wants the job. So we asked her.
To help solve climate change, look to the biosciences
With help from biotechnology, the U.S. can achieve the climate change goals outlined by the Biden administration. Human progress and technology got us into this mess. That same ingenuity can help get us out.
Beyond a symbolic gesture: What’s needed to turn the IP waiver into Covid-19 vaccines
Turning an intellectual property waiver for Covid-19 vaccines into vaccine doses will require mobilization, investment, and advocacy for tech transfers, upgraded manufacturing capability, and strengthened supply chains.
Waiver of patent rights on Covid-19 vaccines, in near term, may be more symbolic than substantive
The U.S.’s stunning endorsement of a proposal to waive Covid-19 vaccine patents has won plaudits for President Biden and roiled the global pharmaceutical industry. But, at least in the short term, it’s likely to be more of a symbolic milestone.
Biden’s silence on an FDA nominee underscores how tough it is to fill that job
Both Trump and Obama had named FDA commissioner nominees by this week in their presidencies — and neither was dealing with a global pandemic.
The Biden administration’s pandemic agenda must not ignore superbugs
For years, the antibiotics used to fight various infections have grown gradually less effective. If current trends continue, these antibiotics could stop working altogether in the near future.
Pharmalittle: Lilly says its antibody prevented Covid-19 in a trial; EU and Pfizer clash over vaccine delays
Eli Lilly says its monoclonal antibody prevented Covid-19 infections in nursing home residents and staff in a clinical trial, the first time such a treatment has been shown to prevent infection.
Major health companies and trade groups suspend campaign contributions after Capitol riot
Several major health corporations are re-evaluating their support for the 147 GOP lawmakers who voted against certifying the Electoral College results.
BIO files lawsuit to block Trump international drug pricing policy
EXCLUSIVE: The biotech trade group BIO is suing the Trump administration over its new drug pricing policy today.
Prominent biotech leaders release Covid-19 guidelines calling for FDA independence, data transparency
Among their demands: That biotech companies don’t simply release clinical trial data in press releases, and that regulators make it clear that any vaccines or treatments will be approved strictly based on science.
The drug industry’s new tactic in Washington: calling Trump’s bluff
Pharma is skipping White House meetings and publicly questioning Trump’s resolve — a brazen new strategy for dealing with his efforts to lower drug prices.
STAT Summit 2020
Nov 16-19Online#statsummit About The 2020 STAT Summit: What’s next? The coronavirus pandemic has reset our expectations of what is possible. New medicines and vaccines are being developed at a previously unimaginable pace. Telemedicine has replaced the doctor’s office. Now, we’re starting to figure out how the world has been reshaped in the wake of Covid-19,…
One of biotech’s biggest conferences grapples with how to talk about race and identity
If racism is a “mutation” in society’s DNA, “what we really needed to do was CRISPR that mutation right out,” suggested one biotech CEO on the panel.
A pandemic, a funeral, and a chance to help heal the world
I've always known deep down that the most effective use of my skills is to be an advocate for science and scientists, writ large. That has always been my passion: getting new medicine and new hope to patients.
Sponsored Insight
Leading through crisis: Speaking up and out on equity, diversity, and inclusion issues impacting the world
By watching the video above, join a first of its kind discussion with Black CEOs of biotechnology companies and leaders of BIO about their unique perspectives on being pioneers in developing medicines. Topics include business priorities, advancing diversity in clinical trials, and the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on underrepresented populations. Speakers: Michelle McMurry-Heath, MD, PhD,…
Sponsored Insight
Fireside chat with Jim Greenwood and Michelle McMurry-Heath, BIO
Watch the above video for a lively conversation with Jim Greenwood and Michelle McMurry Heath, MD, PhD, as they discuss the current state of politics, the upcoming elections, what it means for your companies and how Covid-19 is transforming the conversation in Washington. Dr. McMurry-Heath moderates this fireside chat.
Sponsored Insight
A way forward: Winning the war on Covid through vaccines
The long-term solution to the current Covid-19 pandemic is the availability of vaccines. Yet the development of a vaccine is complex, especially during a global pandemic of an unknown pathogen. Even so, many vaccine developers moved swiftly, using platform technologies to go from genetic sequence data to vaccine candidates in a few weeks. Watch the…
Sponsored Insight
Biotech’s finest hour: How the industry is working to tackle the pandemic
The Covid-19 pandemic has changed the world in fundamental ways, and the biotechnology sector has been summoned to marshal its broad arsenal of next-generation weapons to beat this disease. As the world undergoes a change, so, too, does BIO. In a fascinating hour of dialogue, history, multimedia content, and conversation, watch the above video to…