Pharma and Biotech Daily: CRISPR Breakthroughs, FDA Concerns, and Vaccine Controversies

Good morning from Pharma and Biotech daily: the podcast that gives you only what's important to hear in Pharma and Biotech world.Two companies, Beam Therapeutics and Verve Therapeutics, have developed lead candidates using a safer alternative to conventional CRISPR called base editing. Clinical results have been promising. FDA insiders are calling on FDA Commissioner Marty Makary to fight against agency politicization. The Trump administration, including HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., is accused of distorting and denying scientific truths and potentially censoring information.FDA action alerts include expansion bids for drugs by GSK and Merck. A new AI-powered solution called Generative AIPTP helps life sciences firms streamline clinical workflows. The FDA is rehiring travel staff as lapses begin to show.RFK Jr. is driving a wedge into vaccine conversations. WHO may add obesity drugs for adults to the essential medicines list. Various companies like Merck, GSK, and Roche present key data at AACR 2025.HHS will require placebo-controlled trials for all new vaccines in a radical departure from past practices. Tariffs dominate Q1 earnings, AACR excites the cancer space, CEO pay gaps are discussed, and more news and events are highlighted.