Reversing Parkinson’s in Mice, Protecting Primates from HIV, Top 10 Biotech Clusters, and Sarepta

This episode of GEN's Touching Base spotlights the unexpected relationship between breathing low oxygen and restoration of neuron function in a mouse model of Parkinson’s disease. In addition, a single gene therapy injected at birth now offers lasting protection from HIV in infant rhesus macaques. Rounding out our episode, we discuss key factors shaping this year’s A-List of Top 10 U.S. Biopharma Clusters and recap the regulatory conflict surrounding Sarepta Therapeutics’ Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) gene therapy, Elevidys®—including the departure of Vinay Prasad, MD, the FDA official behind the agency’s brief get-tough approach.Join GEN editors Corinna Singleman, PhD, Alex Philippidis, Fay Lin, PhD, and Uduak Thomas for a discussion of the latest biotech and biopharma news. Listed below are links to the GEN stories referenced in this episode of Touching Base:GLP-1 Drug Semaglutide Linked to Reduced Muscle Strength in MiceGEN, August 6, 2025Out of Thin Air: Hypoxia Reverses Parkinson’s Symptoms in MiceBy Fay Lin, PhD GEN, August 6, 2025Early Gene Therapy Provides Lasting HIV Protection in Newborn PrimatesGEN, July 30, 2025StockWatch: As Prasad Exits FDA, Analysts See Benefit for Sarepta, CGT StocksBy Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, August 3, 2025Sarepta to Resume Shipping DMD Gene Therapy to Ambulant PatientsBy Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, July 28, 2025Sarepta Under Scrutiny, AstraZeneca’s Big Bet, and AI vs. IDRsBy Alex Philippidis, Uduak Thomas, Fay Lin, PhD, Corinna Singleman, PhD, GEN, July 25, 2025About Face: Sarepta to Pause Elevidys Shipments TemporarilyBy Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, July 21, 2025Touching Base PodcastHosted by Corinna Singleman, PhDBehind the BreakthroughsHosted by Jonathan D. Grinstein, PhDThe State of Biotech Summit Registration Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.