STAT+: Her daughter Mila got a bespoke medicine. Now she’s starting a new biotech to make more
Efforts to make customized medicines at scale have hit commercial and regulatory roadblocks. Julia Vintarello is trying again.
Medical News
Opinion: America is worrying about fertility again. But it’s not really about families
Where the state once worried about too many births, it now worries about too few.
Repatha sales help Amgen overcome Prolia biosimilar hits in 1st quarter
Amgen will rely on the emergence of its newer products in 2026 to overcome the loss of exclusivity of a few of its big sellers. Carrying a heavy load in the first-quarter for Amgen was cholesterol-lowering drug Repatha, which was up 34% with sales reaching $876 million.
Novo Nordisk’s Rybelsus officially retired in US as ‘Ozempic pill’ takes branding center stage
The semaglutide franchise is changing up its branding as Novo Nordisk, seeing the cultural phenomenon that has become Ozempic, is retiring the Rybelsus name in favor of its better-known brand.
New treatment cuts bad cholesterol by nearly 50% without statins
A new breakthrough could change how high cholesterol is treated, offering a powerful alternative to traditional drugs. Researchers have developed tiny DNA-based molecules that shut down PCSK9—a key protein that keeps “bad” LDL cholesterol circulating in the blood. By blocking this protein, cells can absorb more cholesterol instead of letting it build up in arteries, dramatically lowering levels li
Verastem launches ‘Reimagine’ campaign to move ovarian cancer drugs into earlier lines
Verastem Oncology has launched a marketing campaign for its co-packaged cancer drugs to drive use of the treatment in earlier lines of therapy.
Why drinking more water didn’t prevent kidney stones
Kidney stones are notoriously painful—and frustratingly common, with many people facing repeat episodes. A massive new study tested whether a high-tech hydration program—complete with smart water bottles, reminders, coaching, and even financial incentives—could help people drink enough water to stop stones from coming back.
STAT+: OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma set to dissolve after judge approves its criminal sentence
At the hearing, the judge heard from mothers who lost sons to overdose, a teenager born into withdrawal, and people who spent years dealing with addiction treatment.
Your gut takes a “double hit” from stress and late-night eating
Chronic stress is already tough on your gut—but new research suggests late-night eating could make things even worse. Scientists analyzing thousands of people found that those under high stress who also ate a large portion of their calories after 9 p.m. were far more likely to suffer from constipation and diarrhea. The combination appears to hit the gut twice, not only disrupting digestion but als
Remembering J. Craig Venter: a relentless scientist who changed biotech — and was all too easily misunderstood
J. Craig Venter, the scientist whose relentless ambition helped turn genetics from an artisanal trade into an industrialized information machine, died at 79.
Surprising obesity discovery rewrites decades of fat metabolism science
A key protein involved in fat metabolism has been found to do more than scientists once thought. Instead of just releasing fat, it helps maintain healthy fat tissue and balance in the body. When it’s missing or disrupted, the results can be surprisingly harmful. This finding reshapes how researchers think about obesity and metabolic disease.
Fierce Pharma Asia—Sun’s $11.75B Organon buy; Astellas’ Xtandi peak; BeOne’s PD-1xVEGF bet
Sun Pharma will acquire Organon for $11.75 billion. Astellas projects Xtandi sales to decline in fiscal year 2026. BeOne Medicines is joining the PD-1xVEGF race with an option for a trispecific antibody. And more.
STAT+: Katherine Szarama named acting director of FDA’s vaccines and biologics center
Katherine Szarama, who joined the FDA last year to serve as Vinay Prasad’s deputy, will now fill his shoes at CBER.
STAT+: In her own words: Surgeon general nominee Nicole Saphier expresses enthusiasm and caution for MAHA
Examining the past statements and writings of Trump's third surgeon general nominee, Dr. Nicole Saphier, on vaccines, autism, peptides, diet and more.
STAT+: Hair-raising trial results, and Servier’s M&A wishlist
Why are investors excited about hair loss drugs? Will AI make clinical trials run more smoothly? And more in "The Readout LOUD," STAT's weekly biotech podcast.
STAT+: As artificial intelligence shows off diagnostic chops, scientists reckon with the way forward
On Thursday, researchers published in Science the results of a study that tested an OpenAI model on diagnostic and clinical reasoning tasks.
Trump drops Casey Means as surgeon general nominee, opts for radiologist Nicole Saphier
Trump slammed Sen. Bill Cassidy for blocking his surgeon general pick, as he nominated a replacement.
STAT+: FDA wants to exclude weight loss drugs from a compounding list
FDA moves to remove semaglutide, tirzepatide, and liraglutide from its 503B compounding list, saying there's no shortage of GLP-1 drugs from Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly.
STAT+: Five-way obesity drug is super effective — in mice
A 'quintuple agonist,' Alector halts it Alzheimer's trial, and more biotech news from The Readout
FDA expectations create potential friction in new Form 483 response guidance
Looking to clarify its expectations for manufacturer responses following inspections, the FDA earlier this year unveiled, for the first time, draft guidance on best practices for the industry when replying to the receipt of a Form 483.