Rowan Walrath
@rowanwalrath.bsky.social
Associate editor, life sciences reporter @cenmag.bsky.social. Texan Bostonian. she/her. [email protected]. For sensitive tips, I'm on Signal @rowanwalrath.01 or email [email protected]
Pinned
Rowan Walrath
@rowanwalrath.bsky.social
· Nov 18
R&D for long COVID is collapsing
Public and private funding is lacking, scrambling opportunities to develop treatments
cen.acs.org
👋 I cover biotech and pharma for @cenmag.bsky.social from Boston.
Interested in finance & market news, drug development for rare & neglected diseases, & how government/policy shapes biotech. Among other things.
My last cover story was about the sorry state of R&D for #LongCovid pharmaceuticals.
Interested in finance & market news, drug development for rare & neglected diseases, & how government/policy shapes biotech. Among other things.
My last cover story was about the sorry state of R&D for #LongCovid pharmaceuticals.
Reposted by Rowan Walrath
Controversial US study on hepatitis B vaccines in Africa is cancelled. Story by @melodyschreiber.com www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
Controversial US study on hepatitis B vaccines in Africa is cancelled
$1.6m project drew outrage over ethical questions about withholding vaccines proven to prevent disease
www.theguardian.com
January 15, 2026 at 4:11 PM
Controversial US study on hepatitis B vaccines in Africa is cancelled. Story by @melodyschreiber.com www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
Reposted by Rowan Walrath
C&EN’s Weekly Newsletter has evolved. Meet C&EN Elements, redesigned to deliver the essential developments in chemistry across research, industry, and policy: connect.discoveracs.org/weeklynewsle...
#chemsky 🧪
#chemsky 🧪
January 14, 2026 at 8:03 PM
C&EN’s Weekly Newsletter has evolved. Meet C&EN Elements, redesigned to deliver the essential developments in chemistry across research, industry, and policy: connect.discoveracs.org/weeklynewsle...
#chemsky 🧪
#chemsky 🧪
Discussions not deals on JPM day one: cen.acs.org/pharmaceutic... @cenmag.bsky.social #chemsky #biosky
Despite few big announcements at JPM, biotech investors optimistic
Discussions not deals on the first day of the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference in San Francisco
cen.acs.org
January 13, 2026 at 4:31 PM
Discussions not deals on JPM day one: cen.acs.org/pharmaceutic... @cenmag.bsky.social #chemsky #biosky
Reposted by Rowan Walrath
Copy Editing Matters, from HHS's release on the new childhood vaccine schedule: All the diseases will still be available to anyone who wants them
January 6, 2026 at 1:12 AM
Copy Editing Matters, from HHS's release on the new childhood vaccine schedule: All the diseases will still be available to anyone who wants them
Reposted by Rowan Walrath
Congratulations to the amazing C&EN staff!
As C&EN Advisory Board member, whose mission is to “provide insight, advice, and suggestions on how to best serve our audience and the world of chemistry”, I believe this is a good step toward a stronger magazine.
As C&EN Advisory Board member, whose mission is to “provide insight, advice, and suggestions on how to best serve our audience and the world of chemistry”, I believe this is a good step toward a stronger magazine.
We are proud to announce the formation of the Chemical & Engineering News Guild. We represent staffers across the editorial and operations teams at C&EN. 1/6
January 6, 2026 at 3:18 PM
Congratulations to the amazing C&EN staff!
As C&EN Advisory Board member, whose mission is to “provide insight, advice, and suggestions on how to best serve our audience and the world of chemistry”, I believe this is a good step toward a stronger magazine.
As C&EN Advisory Board member, whose mission is to “provide insight, advice, and suggestions on how to best serve our audience and the world of chemistry”, I believe this is a good step toward a stronger magazine.
The new CDC schedule no longer universally recommends immunizations against meningitis, hepatitis A and B, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), rotavirus, COVID-19, and influenza.
cen.acs.org/pharmaceutic...
cen.acs.org/pharmaceutic...
6 shots removed from US childhood vaccine recommendations
Several immunizations now need a health-care provider’s endorsement
cen.acs.org
January 6, 2026 at 12:46 AM
The new CDC schedule no longer universally recommends immunizations against meningitis, hepatitis A and B, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), rotavirus, COVID-19, and influenza.
cen.acs.org/pharmaceutic...
cen.acs.org/pharmaceutic...
Reposted by Rowan Walrath
Long live c&en and everyone who brings us quality stories about chemistry
January 5, 2026 at 10:09 PM
Long live c&en and everyone who brings us quality stories about chemistry
New year, new union!
We’re forming @cenguild.bsky.social with @wbng.org so that everyone at C&EN—reporters, copy editors, production and operations staff, web and creative designers, multimedia producers, audience development—will have a voice in the direction of this magazine. ✊
We’re forming @cenguild.bsky.social with @wbng.org so that everyone at C&EN—reporters, copy editors, production and operations staff, web and creative designers, multimedia producers, audience development—will have a voice in the direction of this magazine. ✊
We are proud to announce the formation of the Chemical & Engineering News Guild. We represent staffers across the editorial and operations teams at C&EN. 1/6
January 5, 2026 at 5:52 PM
New year, new union!
We’re forming @cenguild.bsky.social with @wbng.org so that everyone at C&EN—reporters, copy editors, production and operations staff, web and creative designers, multimedia producers, audience development—will have a voice in the direction of this magazine. ✊
We’re forming @cenguild.bsky.social with @wbng.org so that everyone at C&EN—reporters, copy editors, production and operations staff, web and creative designers, multimedia producers, audience development—will have a voice in the direction of this magazine. ✊
Reposted by Rowan Walrath
new year, new union. heck yeah
We are proud to announce the formation of the Chemical & Engineering News Guild. We represent staffers across the editorial and operations teams at C&EN. 1/6
January 5, 2026 at 5:19 PM
new year, new union. heck yeah
Reposted by Rowan Walrath
New year, new unit! Workers at Chemical & Engineering News have formed a union with WBNG!
Read more here: wbng.org/2026/01/05/w...
Read more here: wbng.org/2026/01/05/w...
January 5, 2026 at 5:27 PM
New year, new unit! Workers at Chemical & Engineering News have formed a union with WBNG!
Read more here: wbng.org/2026/01/05/w...
Read more here: wbng.org/2026/01/05/w...
Reposted by Rowan Walrath
Happy New Years! Here's to making sure that everyone at C&EN---from reporters to copyeditors to production staff---has a voice in the direction of our magazine!
We are proud to announce the formation of the Chemical & Engineering News Guild. We represent staffers across the editorial and operations teams at C&EN. 1/6
January 5, 2026 at 5:29 PM
Happy New Years! Here's to making sure that everyone at C&EN---from reporters to copyeditors to production staff---has a voice in the direction of our magazine!
Reposted by Rowan Walrath
Behold: the first-ever list of news outlets that have banned generative AI in their reporting. As of today, this is literally information that you cannot find on Google.
My goal is to fill the starter pack, so please send over suggestions with supporting evidence!
go.bsky.app/8cn1XfT
My goal is to fill the starter pack, so please send over suggestions with supporting evidence!
go.bsky.app/8cn1XfT
December 17, 2025 at 7:18 PM
Behold: the first-ever list of news outlets that have banned generative AI in their reporting. As of today, this is literally information that you cannot find on Google.
My goal is to fill the starter pack, so please send over suggestions with supporting evidence!
go.bsky.app/8cn1XfT
My goal is to fill the starter pack, so please send over suggestions with supporting evidence!
go.bsky.app/8cn1XfT
Reposted by Rowan Walrath
Well that was 2025 in Pharma, and what a year it turned out to be
While the financial landscape didn’t change much for biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies this year, the geopolitical forces shaping the industry did. So did the technological ones. Here is C&EN’s look back at the past year. cen.acs.org/pharmaceutic... #chemsky 🧪
C&EN’s Year in Pharma 2025
In some ways, the pharmaceutical world simply plodded along this year. In others, it was stood on its head
cen.acs.org
December 9, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Well that was 2025 in Pharma, and what a year it turned out to be
Reposted by Rowan Walrath
The FDA says more information about claims that Covid vaccines resulted in death - for children and adults - will be coming "soon." But experts say the delay has been "striking." My latest:
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
FDA to update regulations after unconfirmed claims of Covid vaccine-linked death
Announcement, and lack of details in the weeks following, represents major departure from previous FDA priorities
www.theguardian.com
December 11, 2025 at 8:50 PM
The FDA says more information about claims that Covid vaccines resulted in death - for children and adults - will be coming "soon." But experts say the delay has been "striking." My latest:
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Reposted by Rowan Walrath
#ACIP Researched did, in fact, perform a randomized controlled trial when the FIRST hep B vaccine was approved in 1982. When an improved hep B was approved in 1986, researchers could not perform a placebo-controlled trial, because it would have been unethical to deny kids an effective vaccine.
December 5, 2025 at 5:22 PM
#ACIP Researched did, in fact, perform a randomized controlled trial when the FIRST hep B vaccine was approved in 1982. When an improved hep B was approved in 1986, researchers could not perform a placebo-controlled trial, because it would have been unethical to deny kids an effective vaccine.
Reposted by Rowan Walrath
In this episode of Inflection Point, we travel back in time to relive three historical moments that led to our understanding of antibiotic resistance. @rowanwalrath.bsky.social offers a glimpse into a future when antibiotics are no longer effective. cen.acs.org/pharmaceutic... #chemsky 🧪
Podcast: The ancient, ‘juicy’ origins of antibiotic resistance
Hosts David and Gina endure environmental extremes to understand how resistance emerged—and how we’re fighting it
cen.acs.org
December 5, 2025 at 9:20 AM
In this episode of Inflection Point, we travel back in time to relive three historical moments that led to our understanding of antibiotic resistance. @rowanwalrath.bsky.social offers a glimpse into a future when antibiotics are no longer effective. cen.acs.org/pharmaceutic... #chemsky 🧪
Reposted by Rowan Walrath
So, remember that MAHA summit 2 weeks ago that @statnews.com broke the news of and @maxkozlov.bsky.social somehow got into for Nature, even though it was closed to the press?
The organizers posted the entire 6.5-hour conference proceedings to YouTube last week.
cen.acs.org/policy/MAHA-...
The organizers posted the entire 6.5-hour conference proceedings to YouTube last week.
cen.acs.org/policy/MAHA-...
At MAHA Summit, the NIH head pushes for research that risks failure
And 4 other takeaways for life scientists from the ‘off-the-record’ Make America Healthy Again conference
cen.acs.org
November 26, 2025 at 3:58 PM
So, remember that MAHA summit 2 weeks ago that @statnews.com broke the news of and @maxkozlov.bsky.social somehow got into for Nature, even though it was closed to the press?
The organizers posted the entire 6.5-hour conference proceedings to YouTube last week.
cen.acs.org/policy/MAHA-...
The organizers posted the entire 6.5-hour conference proceedings to YouTube last week.
cen.acs.org/policy/MAHA-...
Reposted by Rowan Walrath
Bitopertin was once a failed drug candidate gathering dust in Roche's portfolio. Thanks to work from Disc Medicine, FDA could soon approve it to treat a rare blood disorder. Read @rowanwalrath.bsky.social's excellent story in @cenmag.bsky.social.
How Disc Medicine rescued a discarded drug candidate cen.acs.org/pharmaceutic... @cenmag.bsky.social
How Disc Medicine rescued a discarded drug candidate
Bitopertin could give people with the rare disease erythropoietic protoporphyria their day in the sun
cen.acs.org
November 24, 2025 at 6:14 PM
Bitopertin was once a failed drug candidate gathering dust in Roche's portfolio. Thanks to work from Disc Medicine, FDA could soon approve it to treat a rare blood disorder. Read @rowanwalrath.bsky.social's excellent story in @cenmag.bsky.social.
How Disc Medicine rescued a discarded drug candidate cen.acs.org/pharmaceutic... @cenmag.bsky.social
How Disc Medicine rescued a discarded drug candidate
Bitopertin could give people with the rare disease erythropoietic protoporphyria their day in the sun
cen.acs.org
November 24, 2025 at 5:51 PM
How Disc Medicine rescued a discarded drug candidate cen.acs.org/pharmaceutic... @cenmag.bsky.social
Reposted by Rowan Walrath
For the last 3 years, the story of the biotech financing environment has been much the same. Venture funding is slow, IPOs are few and far between. Mergers and acquisitions are beginning to pick up, but they tend to be smaller transactions: cen.acs.org/business/fin... #chemsky 🧪
Biotech markets aren't picking up just yet
Despite some recent eye-catching deals, the financing environment is still sluggish
cen.acs.org
November 7, 2025 at 9:52 PM
For the last 3 years, the story of the biotech financing environment has been much the same. Venture funding is slow, IPOs are few and far between. Mergers and acquisitions are beginning to pick up, but they tend to be smaller transactions: cen.acs.org/business/fin... #chemsky 🧪
Reposted by Rowan Walrath
PostEra, one of C&EN's #10StartupsToWatch, uses artificial intelligence and machine learning tools alongside medicinal chemistry to design new molecules. cen.acs.org/pharmaceutic... #chemsky 🧪
How PostEra designs drugs from code
The start-up is making antivirals and cancer drugs for Big Pharma—and working to treat reproductive problems on its own
cen.acs.org
November 13, 2025 at 10:47 AM
PostEra, one of C&EN's #10StartupsToWatch, uses artificial intelligence and machine learning tools alongside medicinal chemistry to design new molecules. cen.acs.org/pharmaceutic... #chemsky 🧪
Reposted by Rowan Walrath
What does all this chaos at FDA mean for biotech and for patients? @matthewherper.bsky.social and I talked to experts, and have more on the drama between the drug and biologics center leaders — "We now have FDA "Mean Girls" burn books out in the open," a source said. www.statnews.com/2025/11/04/f...
Experts worry FDA’s credibility is being shredded by scandal and 'soap opera'
Experts worry that the FDA’s credibility is being shredded by scandal and "soap opera."
www.statnews.com
November 4, 2025 at 2:39 PM
What does all this chaos at FDA mean for biotech and for patients? @matthewherper.bsky.social and I talked to experts, and have more on the drama between the drug and biologics center leaders — "We now have FDA "Mean Girls" burn books out in the open," a source said. www.statnews.com/2025/11/04/f...
Reposted by Rowan Walrath
BOSTON (AP) — Judges order the federal government to use contingency funds for SNAP food aid payments during the shutdown.
October 31, 2025 at 6:07 PM
BOSTON (AP) — Judges order the federal government to use contingency funds for SNAP food aid payments during the shutdown.
Reposted by Rowan Walrath
Looking for some mad science journalism this Halloween? Look no further than 🩻Spooky, scary skeletal editing🩻
(and more chilling chemistry news from @cenmag.bsky.social)
cen.acs.org/synthesis/Sk...
(and more chilling chemistry news from @cenmag.bsky.social)
cen.acs.org/synthesis/Sk...
three skeletons are dancing in a cemetery in a purple background
Alt: Four animated skeletons are dancing in a cemetery in a purple background
media.tenor.com
October 30, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Looking for some mad science journalism this Halloween? Look no further than 🩻Spooky, scary skeletal editing🩻
(and more chilling chemistry news from @cenmag.bsky.social)
cen.acs.org/synthesis/Sk...
(and more chilling chemistry news from @cenmag.bsky.social)
cen.acs.org/synthesis/Sk...
Reposted by Rowan Walrath
All bears look sort of like people in bear suits. But sun bears look like something went wrong at the bear suit factory
October 28, 2025 at 7:44 PM
All bears look sort of like people in bear suits. But sun bears look like something went wrong at the bear suit factory