Episode 147 - July 11, 2025

On this week’s episode, Eric Schmidt, Brad Loncar, Tim Opler and Tess Cameron kick off with a discussion on the surgein biotech M&A, with 2025 almost matching 2024’s deal count and surpassing it in value ($40B YTD vs $30B), highlighting recent deals like Merck’s acquisition of Verona and AbbVie’s purchase of Capstan. The group debateswhether this signals a true “M&A wave,” noting pharma’s $150 billion of LOE approaching and reduced macro uncertainty could be driving deal flow. They alsonote a current competitive dynamic around commercial-stage assets. Shifting to policy, Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” introduces key IRA exemptions for rare diseases and on tariffs, the co-hosts note the market’s quiet reaction andwonder if investors are becoming desensitized to D.C. headlines. As M&A steadies and drug launches hold strong despite pricing pressure, some stability seems to be on the way. On the regulatory front, the group praises the FDA’simproved communication under new leadership, citing their strong online presence and experience with media. Despite the FDA’s recent rejection of Capricor’s cell therapy for DMD, optimism remains about the therapy’s potential. Despite the improved communication discussed earlier, questionsabout the FDA’s transparency arise following the agency’s issuance of CRLs to be more transparent; it remains uncertain if this trend will continue. Conversation shifts to data, overviewing KalVista’s approval of Ekterly, thefirst oral calcineurin inhibitor approved for hereditary angioedema attacks and ProKidney’s cell therapy that showed improved eGFR slope in CKD patients in aPhase 2 trial, skyrocketing shares. The episode closes with a conversation on obesity trends. *This episode aired on July 11, 2025.