🎙 Biotech Blueprint is officially a podcast!
We cover biotech research, innovation, strategy, and market dynamics with expert guests from industry and academia. You’ll find both short This Week in Biotech video recaps and long-form podcast interviews below.
In this first weekly video recap, I break down the most important biotech news from May 2–10, 2025:
CRISPR shows promise: CRISPR Therapeutics (CRSP) released early phase 1 data for CTX310, its in vivo gene-editing therapy targeting ANGPTL3. In one high-dose patient, the company saw an 82% drop in triglycerides and 81% in LDL cholesterol with no serious safety issues. Those numbers beat statins and even rival siRNA drugs like inclisiran. However, it’s an early trial that only included 10 patients, and only the highest dose showed clear effects. Durability beyond 30–90 days is unknown, and these are surrogate markers, not clinical outcomes. But the data is definitely promising. In market’s reaction, CRISPR stock fell 5% on the week. That’s despite data that, on its own, could have lifted sentiment. One likely reason? The appointment of Vinay Prasad as head of CBER, which raised fears that gene-editing and other novel therapies may face a higher regulatory bar going forward.
Vinay Prasad rattles markets: Biotech stocks (especially vaccine makers) tumbled after the FDA named UCSF oncologist and FDA critic Vinay Prasad to lead CBER. Known for challenging accelerated approvals and surrogate endpoints, Prasad could raise the bar for gene and cell therapy approvals. The biotech ETF XBI fell 6%, with Moderna and Vaxcyte each down ~14%. Still, Prasad answers to Commissioner Martin Makary, who supports expedited review in rare diseases, so how this plays out remains to be seen.
NIH budget bomb: The Trump administration proposed slashing NIH funding from $48.5B to $27B, consolidating 27 institutes into just five. That would bring funding back to 2003 levels, a move that could hit early-stage biotech hard, especially those reliant on NIH-backed grants and partnerships.
Charles River pivots as animal testing fades: Charles River Labs announced a board shakeup and strategic review as the FDA increasingly backs alternatives to animal testing, including organoids, organs-on-chips, and AI simulations. I’ll be digging into this in an upcoming podcast.
Gilead and Vertex stand firm: Despite volatility, Vertex and Gilead Sciences remained resilient. Vertex dipped on earnings but is still up 8% YTD and Gilead nearly 25%. Gilead added $11B to U.S. investments, bringing its total to $32B by 2030, a potential buffer against future pharma tariffs.
Thanks for tuning in. I’ll be back next week with more biotech news you need to know.
DISCLAIMER: This content is for informational purposes only. It should not be taken as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice. The views expressed here are my own and do not reflect the opinions of any company or institution.
DISCLOSURE: I have no business relationships with any company mentioned in this article.
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