BioCentury This Week Ep. 353 - Prasad Departure and Future of Fibrosis Therapies
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Mar 9, 2026 A deep dive into why a high-profile FDA director was removed and the political forces at play. A look at the next generation of therapies for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and the many Phase II strategies trying to halt or reverse disease. Updates on psychedelic clinical catalysts and mixed trial designs. New obesity drug data, with focus on amylin agonists and tolerability implications.
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Vaccine Politics Made Prasad A Political Liability
- Steve Usdin links Prasad's anti-mRNA and vaccine stance and political visibility to White House pressure leading to his removal.
- He cites public CEO criticism (e.g., Pfizer's Albert Bourla) and polling on vaccine attitudes as drivers of political liability.
Selection Risks Could Perpetuate Dysfunction At CBER
- Usdin warns the key problem is process: agency leaders making unilateral decisions undermines team-based regulation.
- He cautions successor selection risks favoring loyalty to McCary/Kennedy over experience, repeating prior staffing issues.
Keep Vaccine Controversies Quiet Before Midterms
- Usdin expects the next CBER leader will be instructed to avoid news-generating controversies before midterms.
- He flags the imminent Moderna flu vaccine decision as a high-risk trigger that will force a visible choice.