Jared Whitlock
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jaredwhitlock.bsky.social
Jared Whitlock
@jaredwhitlock.bsky.social
1.1K followers 210 following 73 posts
features editor @endpts.com / fall 2021 fellow
@ksjatmit.bsky.social

Writing (and editing) stories on rare disease medicine, diagnostics and China

Reach out privately on Signal: jaredwhitlock.73

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jaredwhitlock.bsky.social
Jared Whitlock @jaredwhitlock.bsky.social · Oct 13
ICYMI:

In China, biotech startups are racing to make low-cost gene therapies, challenging multi-million dollar price tags and aiming to bolster global reach.

endpoints.news/chinese-biot...
In China, a low-cost push to rival a life-saving, $2M medicine
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.
endpoints.news
Reposted by Jared Whitlock
endpts.com
Can a Chinese drugmaker become Big Pharma? Hengrui is testing that idea, laying plans to move beyond dealmaking and sell its own drugs in the US and Europe as it grows into a global force.
Can a Chinese drugmaker become a big pharma company? Hengrui is testing the waters
With a valuation of about $61.2 billion, Hengrui is now larger than Takeda and Bayer. But there’s still one big item on its bucket list: selling its own treatments outside of China.
endpoints.news
January 28, 2026 at 9:03 PM
jaredwhitlock.bsky.social
I'm late, but don't miss this piece from
@scienceboss.bsky.social:

Gene editing's search for a 'holy grail' has led to an explosion of tools, but few cures

Via @endpts.com

endpoints.news/as-gene-edit...
Gene editing's search for a 'holy grail' has led to an explosion of tools, but few cures
Former Intellia scientist John Finn reflects on gene editing's evolution and the closure of Tome Biosciences, highlighting the industry's focus on tools over medicines.
endpoints.news
January 6, 2026 at 10:47 PM
jaredwhitlock.bsky.social
RFK Jr. adds conditions to newborn screening list, but future path unclear

endpoints.news/rfk-jr-adds-...
RFK Jr. adds conditions to newborn screening list, but future path unclear
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. added metachromatic leukodystrophy and Duchenne to a federal newborn screening list, reviving efforts that had been stalled under the Trump administration — though ...
endpoints.news
December 17, 2025 at 6:38 PM
jaredwhitlock.bsky.social
China has a cheap, quick and quiet way to test novel therapies. Western genetic medicine makers want in

endpoints.news/western-gene...

Via @leileiwu.bsky.social and @scienceboss.bsky.social
China has a cheap, quick and quiet way to test novel therapies. Western genetic medicine makers want in
IITs have grown increasingly popular among China researchers over the past decade, and have helped China’s fast-growing biotech sector catch up with rivals in the US and Europe. The very leniency that...
endpoints.news
December 15, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Reposted by Jared Whitlock
ksjatmit.bsky.social
Alumni Notes: From unchecked garbage fires to academic freedom, our alumni are telling the stories that link science to policy, and the everyday impacts on communities.

ksj.mit.edu/news/2025/12...
Alumni Notes: A Bounty of Books and Breaking News - Knight Science Journalism @MIT
A recurring roundup of news about former KSJ Fellows, including a compendium of what the fellows have been writing.
ksj.mit.edu
December 4, 2025 at 10:33 PM
jaredwhitlock.bsky.social
Nationwide Children’s gene therapy shows early promise after Taysha pullback

endpoints.news/nationwide-c...
Nationwide Children’s gene therapy shows early promise after Taysha pullback
Nationwide Children's Hospital delivers first gene therapy for SLC6A1 disorder to 8-year-old Maxwell Freed, showing early promise in treating seizures and developmental delays.
endpoints.news
December 4, 2025 at 6:24 PM
Reposted by Jared Whitlock
ellenkuwana.bsky.social
Kansas County Agrees to Pay $3 Million Over Police Raid of Newspaper #Journalism #Kansas www.nytimes.com/2025/11/11/u...
Kansas County Agrees to Pay $3 Million Over Police Raid of Newspaper
www.nytimes.com
November 22, 2025 at 10:52 PM
Reposted by Jared Whitlock
hollylynchez.bsky.social
We've been here before but let's see how FDA responds this time w/ Prasad wielding his influence. (I'm sure WSJ ed board + Loomer are already drafting their 2 cents...)

"Sarepta's Duchenne confirmatory trial fails, but biotech will ask FDA for full approval anyways"

endpoints.news/duchenne-con...
November 4, 2025 at 1:26 AM
jaredwhitlock.bsky.social
Good piece from @leileiwu.bsky.social:

Post-Hoc: As China moves beyond ‘me-too,’ do Western regulators need to reconsider?

endpoints.news/as-china-mov...
Post-Hoc: As China moves beyond ‘me-too,’ do Western regulators need to reconsider?
Analysis: Chinese biotech dominates ESMO cancer conference with 3 major studies, including Kelun's Sac-TMT ADC showing 40% reduced death risk, sparking debate on FDA's stance on China-only data.
endpoints.news
October 21, 2025 at 4:51 PM
jaredwhitlock.bsky.social
Grail’s blood test got better at telling when a positive result actually means cancer based on study findings, potentially strengthening the company’s case for a wider rollout, though questions remain.

endpoints.news/grails-cance...
Grail reports fewer false alarms for blood cancer test ahead of FDA filing
Grail’s blood test got better at telling when a positive result actually means cancer based on study findings, potentially strengthening the company’s case for a wider rollout, though questions remain...
endpoints.news
October 17, 2025 at 10:26 PM
Reposted by Jared Whitlock
melaniedgkaplan.bsky.social
Thank you everyone for making yesterday such an amazing, dream-come-true pub day for Lab Dog! The fun continues today with a live in-studio interview on @wamu.org.web.brid.gy 1A. Tune in or catch it later on the podcast! www.npr.org/podcasts/510...
1A
Listening to the news can feel like a journey. But 1A guides you beyond the headlines – and cuts through the noise. Let's get to the heart of the story, together – on 1A.Support NPR and get your news ...
www.npr.org
October 15, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Reposted by Jared Whitlock
jamarmontez.com
This one truly hurts. 💔
D'Angelo was a singular, once in a generation talent.
It feels cruel to lose him at a time when great artistry is sorely needed.

apnews.com/article/dang...
D’Angelo, Grammy-winning R&B singer who became an icon with ‘Untitled (How Does It Feel),’ dies
D’Angelo, the Grammy-winning R&B singer recognized by his raspy yet smooth voice and for garnering mainstream attention with the shirtless “Untitled (How Does It Feel)” music video, has died.
apnews.com
October 14, 2025 at 7:46 PM
jaredwhitlock.bsky.social
ICYMI:

In China, biotech startups are racing to make low-cost gene therapies, challenging multi-million dollar price tags and aiming to bolster global reach.

endpoints.news/chinese-biot...
In China, a low-cost push to rival a life-saving, $2M medicine
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.
endpoints.news
October 13, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Reposted by Jared Whitlock
natashaloder.bsky.social
“We will show the world that there is a better, more responsible, and economically more sensible way of drug development,” -- Chinese biotech offering a low-cost version of a gene therapy that saves the lives of small children but at a cost of $2m

endpoints.news/chinese-biot...
In China, a low-cost push to rival a life-saving, $2M medicine
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.
endpoints.news
October 10, 2025 at 9:36 AM
jaredwhitlock.bsky.social
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...
In China, a low-cost push to rival a life-saving, $2M medicine
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.
endpoints.news
October 9, 2025 at 3:36 PM
jaredwhitlock.bsky.social
HHS says ‘the science speaks for itself’ on mRNA cuts. Scientists it cites disagree

Good piece from @maxbayer.bsky.social

endpoints.news/researchers-...
HHS says ‘the science speaks for itself’ on mRNA cuts. Some of the scientists it cites disagree
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...
endpoints.news
August 20, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Reposted by Jared Whitlock
scienceboss.bsky.social
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 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...
endpoints.news
July 28, 2025 at 3:57 PM
jaredwhitlock.bsky.social
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...
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.
endpoints.news
July 18, 2025 at 6:18 PM
jaredwhitlock.bsky.social
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...
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.
endpoints.news
July 18, 2025 at 1:27 AM
Reposted by Jared Whitlock
mmolteni.bsky.social
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.
levfacher.bsky.social 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...
Ozempic for addiction: How an elite rehab center is using GLP-1s to 'obliterate' all kinds of cravings
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
July 14, 2025 at 7:11 PM
Reposted by Jared Whitlock
endpts.com
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...
endpoints.news
July 15, 2025 at 6:19 PM
jaredwhitlock.bsky.social
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...
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...
endpoints.news
July 15, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Reposted by Jared Whitlock
endpts.com
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...
endpoints.news
July 2, 2025 at 7:50 PM
jaredwhitlock.bsky.social
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...
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...
endpoints.news
July 2, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Reposted by Jared Whitlock
pearlf.bsky.social
"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
matthewherper.bsky.social 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-...
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.'
endpoints.news
June 24, 2025 at 10:53 PM