Pfizer’s obesity play & U.K. in focus — a BioCentury podcast

Plus: Analysis of the latest in U.S. drug pricing and China policies and an update on breakthroughs in narcolepsy

A takeout that could be worth as much as $7.3 billion has Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) back in the obesity drug development race. On the latest BioCentury This Week podcast, BioCentury’s Stephen Hansen discusses Pfizer’s acquisition of Metsera Inc. (NASDAQ:MTSR), including the data and assets that drove the pharma’s decision to buy the three-year-old New York City biotech.

Editor in Chief Simone Fishburn gives a recap of BioCentury’s Grand Rounds — Europe meeting, which included a fireside chat with Patrick Vallance on the state of the life sciences ecosystem in the country. The U.K. science minister agrees that drug pricing system needs to be fixed, and Fishburn discusses why he believes industry can come back to the table. 

Turning to politics and policy in the U.S., BioCentury’s Washington Editor Steve Usdin assesses the state of the hot-button issues of drug pricing and China policy.

With Donald Trump’s deadline for 17 biopharmas to make drug pricing concessions coming next week, Usdin explains the perspective of Fritz Bittenbender, BIO chairman and SVP at Genentech Inc. Usdin also assesses the reasons for former FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb’s warning against restricting in-licensing drugs from China.

Finally, BioCentury’s Lauren Martz discusses the state of play among therapies for narcolepsy on the heels of the World Sleep Congress in Singapore, including a breakthrough program from Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. (Tokyo:4502; NYSE:TAK) and a next-in-class product from Alkermes plc (NASDAQ:ALKS).

Check out Fritz Bittenbender’s conversation with BioCentury Washington Editor Steve Usdin on BioCentury This Week’s sister podcast, The BioCentury Show. For more of BioCentury’s obesity coverage, visit the Hot Topics page on the indication.