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Biotech Hangout

Biotech Hangout

By: Daphne Zohar Josh Schimmer Brad Loncar Tim Opler & more
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A weekly discussion of all things biotech – breaking news, data, deals, and FDA actions – with a community of biotech industry leaders and experts. Join the live streams hosted by @BiotechCH, @daphnezohar, @bradloncar and @biotech1 on Twitter Spaces every Friday at 12pm ET.Daphne Zohar, Josh Schimmer, Brad Loncar, Tim Opler & more Biological Sciences Science
Episodes
  • Episode 171 - January 30, 2026
    Jan 30 2026

    On this week’s episode, Josh Schimmer, Sam Fazeli, Brian Skorney, and Yaron Werber kick off with a discussion on policy with special guest BIO’s CEO John Crowley, overviewing what it means for the U.S. to “win” the biotech race against China, emphasizing the need for innovation and ensuring access to medicines. The conversation shifts to the latest at the FDA, where John acknowledges concerns around consistency at the agency and expresses optimism following conversations with FDA leadership at the JP Morgan Healthcare conference earlier this month. Next, the co-hosts discuss major investments in China, including AstraZeneca’s $15B commitment to China through 2030, focusing on R&D, manufacturing, and partnerships. Shifting back to U.S. policy, the group addresses the growing measles outbreak, highlighting the belief that science, data, and policy pressure will win out over anti-science rhetoric. Next, John notes that codifying MFN would be devastating for the industry. The conversation turns to deals, with Merck’s decision not to acquire Revolution Medicines, noting that the company’s current strong cash position and recent deals will likely make them attractive to Big Pharma in the future. Next, Eikon Therapeutics’ planned $273.5M IPO is also highlighted. The episode concludes with an overview of the FDA’s clinical hold on a Regenxbio gene therapy and discussion on Amgen stepping away from its OX40 partnership. *This episode aired on January 30, 2026.

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    59 mins
  • Episode 170 - January 23, 2026
    Jan 23 2026

    On this week’s episode, Grace Colon, Tim Opler, Graig Suvannavejh, and Eric Schmidt kick off with an overview of Tim’s “The Case for Optimism” report, highlighting that macroeconomic conditions will need to stabilize and that M&A is likely to be significant in the coming year. The group also notes how quickly things can shift in biotech, citing recent inconsistencies at the FDA. Next, the co-hosts discuss the reopening of the IPO market after a quiet period, and how this could reshape M&A dynamics and company valuations compared to when acquisitions were the primary exit route. The conversation then turns to recent deals, including GSK’s $2.2B acquisition of RAPT Therapeutics for its next‑generation food allergy drug and Janux Therapeutics’ up to $850M cancer collaboration with BMS. On the policy front, the co-hosts cover the United States’ official withdrawal from the WHO and the FDA’s new draft guidance outlining how minimal residual disease and complete response could support accelerated approvals in multiple myeloma. They also highlight Corvus Pharmaceuticals’ positive Phase 1 results in atopic dermatitis and the company’s stock jump. Tim closes the episode by discussing his recent women’s health report and the growing interest and investment in the space. *This episode aired on January 23, 2026.

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    59 mins
  • Episode 169 - January 16, 2026
    Jan 16 2026

    On this week’s episode, Chris Garabedian, Paul Matteis, Mike Yee, and Sam Fazeli recap the 2026 J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference, noting that the biotech outlook for 2026 is broadly positive. Investor sentiment is noted as healthy but not overheated, and from the specialist community, the outlook is similarly upbeat. On the venture side, the M&A landscape also looks strong, with one of the best pre‑JPM financing weeks in at least a decade. The conversation turns to company updates, with Alnylam’s 2030 strategy as well as Moderna’s cost-cutting initiatives and upcoming vaccine readouts. On the deal front, the group covers AbbVie’s $650M partnership with China-based RemeGen on a next‑gen PD‑1/VEGF bispecific antibody. AI developments were another key theme at JPM, including Pfizer’s claim that AI contributed to $5.6B in cost reductions. In regulatory news, FDA flexibility, new CMC guidance for cell and gene therapies, and updates on Dr. Makary’s CNPVs are overviewed. Next, the co-hosts cover the latest obesity news, including new oral GLP-1s and potential competition from Pfizer and Amgen in the monthly injectables market, as well as BMS and AbbVie’s interest in entering the space. The episode concludes with rapid‑fire round of data updates in DMD, gene therapy, myeloma, cystic fibrosis, and Alzheimer’s prevention. *This episode aired on January 16, 2026.

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    59 mins
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