Jared Whitlock

Roche doubles down on its Alzheimer's ambitions as next-gen amyloid-lowering drug excites scientists Roche revealed the latest cut of data from its closely-watched Phase 1/2 study of trontinemab, an amyloid-targeting antibody designed to latch onto receptors that yank it across the protective blood-b...

The session at #AAIC25 on Roche's next-gen #Alzheimers drug #trontinemab was jam packed and despite one patient's death, the excitement for this drug was palpable. Read more about the dramatic amyloid reduction and surprisingly low ARIA in @endpts.com - endpoints.news/roche-double...

Breaking: FDA will ask Sarepta to stop selling Duchenne treatment, following patient deaths FDA to request Sarepta halt shipments of DMD drug Elevidys after two patient deaths, HHS official says. Trading of $SRPT shares paused after decline.

We are closely reporting on this story. If you have any tips, please contact me on Signal at jaredwhitlock.73

endpoints.news/fda-asks-sar...

Sarepta patient dies in limb-girdle study, latest death after earlier patient safety concerns Patient dies from liver failure in Sarepta Therapeutics' gene therapy trial for limb-girdle muscular dystrophy, following two deaths in company's Elevidys DMD program.

Sarepta Therapeutics said that a patient died in a clinical trial testing one of its gene therapies for limb-girdle muscular dystrophy, the latest death for a company that’s already under heightened scrutiny for safety concerns.

endpoints.news/sarepta-pati...

Fascinating story today from @levfacher.bsky.social about a rehab center where patients are currently being treated for substance use disorder with GLP-1 drugs — even as clinical trials measuring their effectiveness as anti-addiction medications remain years from reading out data.

The Trump administration disbanded a newborn screening panel. Advocates now face a harder path atient groups face a harder and unpredictable path going state-by-state to boost screening for rare but treatable conditions after the Trump administration disbanded a federal advisory committee on ne...

In Focus: The Trump administration disbanded a federal newborn screening panel, and patients now face a hard and unpredictable path to diagnosis and treatment.

The Trump administration disbanded a newborn screening panel. Advocates now face a harder path atient groups face a harder and unpredictable path going state-by-state to boost screening for rare but treatable conditions after the Trump administration disbanded a federal advisory committee on ne...

The Trump administration disbanded a newborn screening panel. Advocates now face a harder path.

“It’s not acceptance. It’s next-level rage," one parent told me.

endpoints.news/the-trump-ad...

China’s rise splits US biotech investors: Cash in, or counter? US investors debate response to China's rise in drug development, with some seeing a national security threat while others embrace collaboration. FDA and policymakers consider reforms to maintain comp...

As China’s drug industry expands, US biotech investors are divided: cash in or push back? Some, like Curie.Bio’s Zach Weinberg, are calling for action to limit China’s growing role in R&D.

China’s rise splits US biotech investors: Cash in, or counter? US investors debate response to China's rise in drug development, with some seeing a national security threat while others embrace collaboration. FDA and policymakers consider reforms to maintain comp...

One biotech VC calls China a threat. Another says Americans won’t forgive politicians who impede life-saving drugs.

Inside the investor split on China’s ascent in drug development.

w/ @andrewedunn.bsky.social + @kylelahucik.bsky.social, @maxbayer.bsky.social

endpoints.news/us-investors...

"In 25 years of covering the FDA, this would be a first," said @statnews.com Matt Herper commenting on the @endpts.com story about Makary today. See below #medsky #biosky

Exclusive: FDA's Makary sought rejection of KalVista’s drug in an unusual move by commissioner, sources say FDA Commissioner Marty Makary reportedly attempted to reject KalVista Pharmaceuticals' drug application, sources said. An HHS spokesperson calls the claim 'totally false.'

Great scoop from @andrewedunn.bsky.social:

Exclusive: FDA's Makary sought rejection of KalVista’s drug in an unusual move by commissioner, sources say

endpoints.news/sources-fda-...

Illumina to buy SomaLogic for $350M, pushing further into proteomics Illumina to acquire proteomics company SomaLogic for $350M upfront from Standard BioTools, expanding beyond DNA sequencing into protein analysis technology.

Illumina to buy SomaLogic for $350M upfront in proteomics push:

endpoints.news/illumina-to-...

Nobel laureate on how Trump's cuts are hurting science Neuroscientist, biologist and 2021 Nobel Prize winner Ardem Patapoutian joined Midday Edition to talk about how the Trump administration's effort to cut back on science spending is impacting researche...

I spoke with Jade Hindmon, host of @kpbssandiego.bsky.social Midday Edition, about the consequences of the current administration’s cuts to science funding. Please share to help spread the word and raise awareness.
www.kpbs.org/podcasts/kpb...

How a tailored ALS drug could help broaden rare disease therapies In 2020, Jaci Hermstad died at age 26 from a rare and aggressive form of ALS. But her story didn’t end there.

Can a drug developed for one person's rare form of ALS become a treatment for many others?

A treatment made just for a 26-year-old woman offers a glimpse into how customized therapies could be just a starting point.

endpoints.news/a-custom-als...

DNA giant Illumina spawned an ecosystem of competitors and customers For Illumina, its former employees are both a boon and a problem. In the 27 years since its founding, the DNA sequencing company unlocked new frontiers in biology, medicine and ...

@jaredwhitlock.bsky.social has written an article about the many new companies spun out/spawned by ex-Illuminites. In it he references the crowdsourced "Illumina Diaspora" database Millard Chan and I created to keep track of them all.
sandiegomics.com/illumina-dia...
endpts.com/how-illumina...

DNA giant Illumina spawned an ecosystem of competitors and customers For Illumina, its former employees are both a boon and a problem. In the 27 years since its founding, the DNA sequencing company unlocked new frontiers in biology, medicine and ...

DNA giant Illumina spawned an ecosystem. Now its former employees are both its customers and fiercest competitors.

My latest is an in-depth look at a different kind of corporate lineage story, via @endpts.com

endpts.com/how-illumina...

Big leases, bigger regrets: Biotech slump turns swanky offices from asset into liability Biotech companies face financial strain from expensive long-term leases signed during pandemic boom, with Ginkgo Bioworks, Prime Medicine & others struggling with high lease obligations amid market do...

During the pandemic boom years, young biotechs signed huge, long-term leases for space in a competitive market.

Now, many of them are being dragged down by those big obligations... and can't get rid of them,
@andrewedunn.bsky.social reports

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Exclusive: Drug compounder Empower was built on risky shortcuts, ex-employees and inspections allege Empower Pharmacy has used poor-quality ingredients, skirted regulations and pushed out or sued employees who raised concerns, an Endpoints News investigation found.

I'm late to the party but don't miss this investigation from @shelbylivingston.bsky.social into Empower, a compounding pharmacy that produces weight loss medications and other drugs.

endpts.com/pharmacy-emp...

Trade Journalism Award Finalists Recognizing excellence in writing for a specialized audience

I'm thrilled to be a finalist for the NIHCM trade journalism award alongside so many amazing reporters whose work I really admire (hi @kakape.bsky.social and @jaredwhitlock.bsky.social !)

Thank you NIHCM!
nihcm.org/awards/trade...

Ahead of a panel at #STATBreakthrough, UnitedHealth sent a statement about how STAT's Pulitzer-recognized investigation of UnitedHealthcare using AI to deny claims is false and accuses STAT of "profiting" off of bias.

UnitedHealth has never gone on the record with STAT on this topic.

Trade Journalism Award Finalists Recognizing excellence in writing for a specialized audience

Super honored to be recognized as a finalist by @nihcm.bsky.social alongside other journalists, including John Carroll of @endpts.com.

nihcm.org/awards/trade...

Likewise @jesshamzelou.bsky.social.

Illumina confirms SEC has closed investigation into $8B Grail deal Illumina on Thursday said the SEC has closed its investigation into the company's $8 billion purchase of Grail and doesn't intend to pursue enforcement action, confirming Endpoints News' reporting ear...

Illumina on Thursday said the SEC has closed its investigation into the company’s $8 billion purchase of Grail, confirming @endpts.com reporting.

endpts.com/illumina-con...

'Find a way, or make one': How two scientists hope to revitalize CRISPR's rare disease crisis Fyodor Urnov and Kiran Musunuru advocate for streamlined CRISPR treatments for rare genetic diseases, partnering with Danaher and CHOP to develop custom therapies for HLH and metabolic disorders.

'Find a way, or make one': How two scientists hope to revitalize CRISPR's rare disease crisis

Good piece from @scienceboss.bsky.social on efforts from @urnov.bsky.social and others

endpts.com/crispr-isnt-...

Exclusive: SEC expected to drop investigation of Illumina's $8B Grail deal The SEC is expected to drop an investigation into Illumina's $8 billion acquisition of cancer test developer Grail, Endpoints News has learned.

Illumina hasn't had a lot of wins recently. I think they'd count this as a win.

endpts.com/sec-expected...

From deal to disaster: Drugmakers face a changed Washington as Trump embraces ‘most favored nation’ prices President Trump met with pharma CEOs at the White House. After praising investments, a 'most favored nation' drug pricing plan has sparked industry alarm.

From deal to disaster: Drugmakers face a changed Washington as Trump embraces ‘most favored nation’ prices

Good reporting from @maxbayer.bsky.social and @drewsnews.bsky.social:

endpts.com/drugmakers-t...

Exclusive: SEC expected to drop investigation of Illumina's $8B Grail deal The SEC is expected to drop an investigation into Illumina's $8 billion acquisition of cancer test developer Grail, Endpoints News has learned.

Scoop: SEC expected to drop investigation of Illumina's $8B Grail deal

endpts.com/sec-expected...

Early bits of in vivo CAR-T human data emerge from biotech trials in China Initial clinical data from Genocury and EsoBiotec shows promise for in vivo CAR-T therapy, with complete remission in lymphoma and myeloma patients without lymphodepletion.

Two in vivo CAR-T trials in China have delivered early human data, the first clinical readouts of a competitive field.
endpts.com/early-in-viv...

US drugmakers increasingly look abroad for clinical trials as confidence in FDA wavers When Siren Biotechnology CEO Nicole Paulk learned last month that top FDA official Peter Marks had resigned, she began looking outside the US for a place to ...

New: As confidence in the FDA wavers, US drugmakers are increasingly looking abroad for clinical trials.

I spoke with companies, consultants and others about the trend. Via @endpts.com

endpts.com/us-drugmaker...

China’s biotech market is staging a comeback that US biotech can only wish for China’s biopharmaceutical sector is showing signs of revival from its post-pandemic slump, even as its US counterpart remains in a rut. Buoyed by licensing deals, improving company fundamentals and re...

Deals with Chinese biotech companies are booming. @jaredwhitlock.bsky.social has a smart story that explains the trend, and potential political headwinds, for @endpts.com

endpts.com/chinas-biote...