Pharma and Biotech Daily: Turmoil in the Industry as FDA Head Resigns

Good morning from Pharma and Biotech Daily, the podcast that gives you only what's important to hear in the Pharma and Biotech world.Pharmaceutical companies are pushing back against Trump's tariffs, requesting staggered tariffs as Trump plans for a more aggressive set of tariffs on April 2. Democrats are criticizing Trump's health cuts and policies, with lawsuits being filed and Senator Cory Booker speaking out against the administration. The FDA is facing turnover and layoffs, with concerns about the "revolving door" of talent between the agency and biopharma companies. Denali is making progress in crossing the blood-brain barrier for neuroscience treatments. In the midst of these developments, the biotech industry is seeing growth in cell and gene therapy investments. Despite these challenges, companies like Trilink are offering solutions for accelerating therapy discoveries with custom guide RNAs for CRISPR workflows.In other news, Peter Marks, head of the FDA's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, was forced out after clashing with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. over transparency issues. Marks, known for his work on innovative therapies like cell and gene therapy, resigned due to the lack of desired truth and transparency from Kennedy. This event has caused turmoil in the biopharma industry, leading to a drop in biotech shares. Additionally, massive layoffs are expanding across HHS as part of Kennedy's plan to remove up to 10,000 staff members. The departure of Marks has raised concerns about the future of the FDA and the industry as a whole. Experts fear that the agency is losing institutional knowledge and experienced leaders, which could have negative implications for drug development and safety. Calls for Kennedy's dismissal have been made by analysts following Marks' resignation. The industry is now facing uncertainty and instability in the wake of these events.