Biotech layoffs, founder-focused VC, & a big pharma exit

By Allison DeAngelis , Adam Feuerstein , and Elaine Chen July 11, 2024

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Why are pharmaceutical companies cutting more staff than cash-strapped biotechs? And who will Pfizer scout out as its next science chief?

STAT’s West Coast biotech reporter Jonathan Wosen joins “The Readout LOUD” to discuss what’s driving workforce cuts.

We also discuss a big change in Pfizer’s leadership and the debate over a new side effect tied to the diabetes drug Ozempic. Plus, entrepreneurs Alexis Borisy and Zach Weinberg call in to discuss their biotech incubator Curie.Bio and how they hope to “free the founders.”

For more on biotech layoffs, go here; for more information on Curie.bio and its new fund, go here; to read more about Mikael Dolsten’s departure from Pfizer, go here; details on Pfizer’s GLP-1 pill plans can be found here; and for more on the report about vision loss in people taking semgalutide, go here.

Be sure to sign up for “The Readout LOUD” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn, or wherever you get your podcasts.

About the Authors Reprints

Allison DeAngelis

Biotech Startups and Venture Capital Reporter

Allison DeAngelis is the East Coast biotech and venture capital reporter at STAT, reporting where scientific ideas and money meet. She is also co-host of the weekly biotech podcast, The Readout Loud.

[email protected]

@ADeAngelis_bio

Adam Feuerstein

Senior Writer, Biotech

Adam Feuerstein is a senior writer and biotech columnist, reporting on the crossroads of drug development, business, Wall Street, and biotechnology. He is also a co-host of the weekly biotech podcast The Readout Loud and author of the newsletter Adam's Biotech Scorecard.

[email protected]

@adamfeuerstein