Life Sciences Weekly
Life Sciences Weekly is your go-to podcast for a fast, focused, and insightful snapshot of the week in medtech, biotech, and pharma. Each Saturday, we break down the latest market trends, FDA approvals and submissions, regulatory shifts, enforcement actions, startup funding, and M&A activity—all in under 20 minutes. Whether you're an industry insider, investor, or innovator, Life Sciences Weekly keeps you ahead of the curve with expert context and a spotlight on the stories shaping the future of health and science.
Life Sciences Weekly
May 10, 2025 - Life Sciences Weekly Recap
Life Sciences Weekly Podcast – Episode 2
Recorded: May 10, 2025
This week on Life Sciences Weekly, host Matt Davison breaks down a whirlwind of developments shaping the biotech, pharma, and medtech landscape. Tune in for a market recap as volatility rocks the sector, with biotech stocks tumbling after Dr. Vinay Prasad is named the new head of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER). Discover why Prasad’s evidence-driven, no-nonsense approach to drug approvals is sending shockwaves through the industry-and what it could mean for gene therapy and vaccine developers.
Get the latest on FDA approvals, including new clearances for AI-powered imaging, at-home cancer screening, and rare disease treatments. Matt covers the FDA’s evolving regulatory pathways, missed approval deadlines amid HHS restructuring, and a notable slowdown in enforcement actions.
In funding news, hear about major venture rounds, strategic investments, and academic-industry partnerships fueling the next wave of innovation-even as IPO windows remain tight. Plus, get a snapshot of Q1’s M&A and licensing trends across medtech and biopharma.
The episode’s Industry Spotlight examines the intersection of regulatory change and unprecedented U.S. investment, with Gilead, AstraZeneca, Novartis, AbbVie, and others pouring billions into domestic R&D and manufacturing. As the FDA tightens its standards and the political climate shifts, find out how life sciences leaders are doubling down on American infrastructure and innovation.
Don’t miss this comprehensive roundup of the week’s top stories, market moves, and the forces shaping the future of life sciences. Subscribe now for your essential industry briefing!
With your Life Sciences Industry Guide, Matt Davison