Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

In China, a low-cost push to rival a life-saving, $2M medicine

1 3 5

Jared Whitlock @jaredwhitlock.bsky.social · 1d

For families, a $2.1M medicine can feel like both a miracle and an out-of-reach reality.

Now, biotechs in China are racing to develop lower-cost alternatives:

endpoints.news/chinese-biot...

Indian veterinarian Nirnay Murthy sought Lantu Biopharma's experimental gene therapy for his son's spinal muscular atrophy after being unable to afford Novartis's $2.1M Zolgensma treatment.

HHS says ‘the science speaks for itself’ on mRNA cuts. Some of the scientists it cites disagree

1

Jared Whitlock @jaredwhitlock.bsky.social · Aug 20

HHS says ‘the science speaks for itself’ on mRNA cuts. Scientists it cites disagree

Good piece from @maxbayer.bsky.social

endpoints.news/researchers-...

Some of the studies that underpin the Trump administration’s decision to veer away from mRNA vaccine research are being misapplied, co-authors of the work say, muddling the move by HHS and Secretary R...

Roche doubles down on its Alzheimer's ambitions as next-gen amyloid-lowering drug excites scientists

Reposted by Jared Whitlock

Ryan Cross @scienceboss.bsky.social · Jul 28

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...

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...

Breaking: FDA will ask Sarepta to stop selling Duchenne treatment, following patient deaths

Jared Whitlock @jaredwhitlock.bsky.social · Jul 18

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...

FDA to request Sarepta halt shipments of DMD drug Elevidys after two patient deaths, HHS official says. Trading of $SRPT shares paused after decline.

Sarepta patient dies in limb-girdle study, latest death after earlier patient safety concerns

Jared Whitlock @jaredwhitlock.bsky.social · Jul 18

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...

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.

Ozempic for addiction: How an elite rehab center is using GLP-1s to 'obliterate' all kinds of cravings

Reposted by Jared Whitlock

Megan Molteni @mmolteni.bsky.social · Jul 14

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.

Lev Facher @levfacher.bsky.social · Jul 14

New: Inside the elite Pennsylvania rehab facility aggressively prescribing GLP-1s, normally used for weight loss, as medications to treat addiction

“I truly think these medications work because obesity is an addiction to food.”

www.statnews.com/2025/07/14/g...

Pointing to Ozempic as a paradigm shift, an elite rehab center is experimenting with GLP-1s to tame many forms of addiction.

www.statnews.com

4 5

Reposted by Jared Whitlock

Endpoints News @endpts.com · Jul 15

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

5 4

Jared Whitlock @jaredwhitlock.bsky.social · Jul 15

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...

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...

China’s rise splits US biotech investors: Cash in, or counter?

Reposted by Jared Whitlock

Endpoints News @endpts.com · Jul 2

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.

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...

China’s rise splits US biotech investors: Cash in, or counter?

Jared Whitlock @jaredwhitlock.bsky.social · Jul 2

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...

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...

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

3

Reposted by Jared Whitlock

Pearl Freier @pearlf.bsky.social · Jun 24

"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

Matthew Herper @matthewherper.bsky.social · Jun 24

This is very concerning.

Endpoints reports that FDA chief Makary sought rejection of KalVista's drug after the company said FDA staffing issues were resulting in delays to its application.

In 25 years of covering the FDA, this would be a first.

endpoints.news/sources-fda-...

FDA Commissioner Marty Makary reportedly attempted to reject KalVista Pharmaceuticals' drug application, sources said. An HHS spokesperson calls the claim 'totally false.'

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

1 3

Jared Whitlock @jaredwhitlock.bsky.social · Jun 24

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-...

FDA Commissioner Marty Makary reportedly attempted to reject KalVista Pharmaceuticals' drug application, sources said. An HHS spokesperson calls the claim 'totally false.'

Illumina to buy SomaLogic for $350M, pushing further into proteomics

Jared Whitlock @jaredwhitlock.bsky.social · Jun 23

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

endpoints.news/illumina-to-...

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

Nobel laureate on how Trump's cuts are hurting science

Reposted by Jared Whitlock

Ardem Patapoutian @ardemp.bskyverified.social · Jun 19

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...

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...

www.kpbs.org

2 120 190

Jared Whitlock @jaredwhitlock.bsky.social · Jun 18

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...

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.

DNA giant Illumina spawned an ecosystem of competitors and customers

Reposted by Jared Whitlock

Shawn Baker @sandiegomics.bsky.social · May 29

@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...

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 of competitors and customers

1 4

Jared Whitlock @jaredwhitlock.bsky.social · May 29

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...

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 ...

Big leases, bigger regrets: Biotech slump turns swanky offices from asset into liability

2 3

Reposted by Jared Whitlock

Endpoints News @endpts.com · May 21

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

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...

Exclusive: Drug compounder Empower was built on risky shortcuts, ex-employees and inspections allege

1 2

Jared Whitlock @jaredwhitlock.bsky.social · May 20

You get five free articles a month if you input an email!

1

Jared Whitlock @jaredwhitlock.bsky.social · May 19

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...

Empower Pharmacy has used poor-quality ingredients, skirted regulations and pushed out or sued employees who raised concerns, an Endpoints News investigation found.