Following a barrage of letters from President Donald Trump urging 17 large pharmaceutical companies to implement Most Favored Nation drug pricing reforms in the U.S., analysts and industry watchers are questioning how far the president’s authority extends, while several drugmakers have signaled a willingness to negotiate. In this week’s episode of "The Top Line," we break down the latest Most Favored Nation pricing pressures in the U.S., how companies are responding and which facets of the proposal might fall short of Trump’s goals. Fierce Pharma’s Eric Sagonowsky and Fraiser Kansteiner discuss the current state of those reform efforts and past attempts to rein in U.S. drug costs, followed by a brief discussion on tariffs. To learn more about the topics in this episode: Pfizer CEO touts 'extremely productive' talks with Trump administration as MFN pricing, tariff threats close in White House threatens to 'deploy every tool in our arsenal' to implement most-favored-nation drug pricing All branded drugs not facing generic, biosimilar competition must abide by MFN order in 'all markets,' HHS tells pharma Trump ups the ante on pharma tariffs, saying they will reach 250% See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
--------
17:08
--------
17:08
Rebuilding trust: compassionate communication and public health (Sponsored)
In the latest episode of Health Matters, vaccine expert Dr. Paul Offit joins host Wendy Lund to discuss the growing crisis of vaccine hesitancy and what can be done to rebuild trust. Offit, director of the Vaccine Education Center at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, points to the COVID-19 pandemic as a turning point, citing perceived government overreach and widespread misinformation as key drivers of public distrust. He emphasizes that vaccine hesitancy is often rooted in reasonable concerns and calls on health care professionals to respond with empathy, not judgment. Offit also outlines steps the industry can take to regain credibility, including amplifying trusted community voices, improving science communication, and putting a human face on pharmaceutical innovation. He shares moving stories from the field, including one about Dr. Penny Heaton’s work to develop a rotavirus vaccine and bring it to children in need. “We all want the same thing,” Offit says. “Healthy children, protected from preventable diseases.” Listen to the full episode for more insights on how the health care sector can meet this moment with clarity and compassion. Disclaimer: All information provided on this podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. You should consult with qualified healthcare professionals before making any decisions related to your health. Any opinions expressed are those of the individuals expressing them and do not represent the views of the podcast or its affiliates.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
--------
39:40
--------
39:40
Untangling Sarepta’s gene therapy fallout and a growing trust deficit
Over a whirlwind three weeks, Sarepta Therapeutics has faced tough safety questions around its commercial gene therapy Elevidys and growing scrutiny over the company’s transparency following multiple patient deaths. In this week’s episode of "The Top Line," we explore Sarepta’s brief standoff with the FDA over Elevidys, a short-lived marketing pause, and the regulator’s surprise reversal on the treatment. Fierce Pharma’s Fraiser Kansteiner and Angus Liu sit down with Fierce Biotech’s Gabrielle Masson to recap the story and discuss the broader implications the Elevidys saga may have for gene therapy, the FDA and the pharmaceutical industry. To learn more about the topics in this episode: Sarepta pivots to siRNA and lays off 500 staffers as Elevidys gets box warning Sarepta LGMD trials all hit by FDA hold amid newly surfaced safety concerns over gene therapy Sarepta, bowing to FDA pressure, pauses shipments of Duchenne gene therapy Elevidys FDA takes U-turn on Sarepta's Elevidys, backing Duchenne gene therapy again in ambulatory patients Analysts demand transparency after Sarepta's roundabout disclosure of 3rd patient death Roche won't throw in the towel after DMD gene therapy Elevidys' rebuff in Europe See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
--------
27:07
--------
27:07
Making sense of China’s R&D ascent
With an uptick in licensing deals and promising data emerging from China-based biopharmas, especially in oncology, it’s clear the country is poised to play a major role in life sciences for the foreseeable future. In this week’s episode of "The Top Line," we trace China’s ascent in R&D and drug discovery and examine how U.S. and European drugmakers are capitalizing on the momentum through a surge in licensing activity. Fierce Pharma’s Fraiser Kansteiner sits down with Mark Lansdell, director at Evaluate, to break down the policies fueling China’s growth, how global companies are engaging with Chinese assets and which modalities and indications are commanding the most attention. To learn more about the topics in this episode: China approves 4 new drugs, including a global first-in-class medicine With China approval, Lilly and Innovent's mazdutide breaks into new class for GLP-1 obesity drugs China biotechs ‘reshaping’ US biopharma as outlicensing deals rise 11%: Jefferies report China proposes shorter clinical trial reviews in efforts to accelerate drug development See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
--------
36:29
--------
36:29
AI, mentorship and finding your voice in pharma marketing
In this episode of "The Top Line," Ayla Ellison, Editor-in-Chief of Fierce Life Sciences and Healthcare, sits down with two longtime industry leaders to talk about what it takes to stand out and grow in today’s pharma marketing landscape. Zoe Dunn, president and CEO of Hale Advisors, and Paul Murasko, head of digital innovation and marketing operations at Azurity Pharmaceuticals, reflect on how the industry has evolved—from print to digital to AI—and what early-career professionals need to know to thrive. As co-chairs of the Rising Stars program at this year’s Fierce Pharma Week, Dunn and Murasko share their insights on mentorship, innovation and how the next generation can navigate a highly regulated field while staying grounded in the fundamentals. To learn more about the topics in this episode: Fierce Pharma Week Information and Agenda Fierce Pharma Week Registration Rising Stars Program at Fierce Pharma Week See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Biopharma and medtech explained. Every week, journalists from Fierce Biotech, Fierce Medtech, and Fierce Pharma recount the latest industry trends and why they matter. We'll analyze the week's biggest business news, from mergers and marketing to drug R&D and device development. Available every Friday morning.
Polska