The Top Line

James Waldron, Fierce Biotech reporter who led the 2025 clinical trial flops report, breaks down high-profile late‑stage failures. He spotlights why big pharma dominated the list. He walks through notable misses from Novo Nordisk and Sanofi, mixed COPD readouts, and surprising wins and losses across rare-disease programs.

Kirk Kaminsky, McKesson executive with 24 years in oncology services, discusses community cancer care moving beyond academic centers. He covers how precision medicine and chronic management shift treatment locally. He talks about supports for community practices, boosting clinical trial access, and AI tools that ease workflows and revenue challenges. He previews future therapies and evolving payment and delivery models.

Gabrielle Masson, Fierce journalist and industry analyst covering pharma and biotech business news. She discusses the massive sales forecasts for next-generation obesity drugs from Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly. Short takes cover the methodology behind the annual launches list, comparisons with prior years, and a roundup of other 2026 candidates across cancer, myeloma, inflammation, kidney disease and essential tremor.

Ajay Narasimha, Mirum Pharmaceuticals SVP of corporate strategy and business development and scientist-turned-commercial exec, discusses Mirum’s first acquisition of Bluejay and why brelovitug targets a critical unmet need in hepatitis delta virus. He outlines how the deal fits Mirum’s rare liver disease strategy, upcoming registrational readouts, and the company’s approach to patient-centric dealmaking and pipeline building.

Artificial intelligence is reshaping medical communications, but it is not a substitute for human judgment. In this episode of The Top Line, experts from RTI Health Solutions explore how AI is being used across scientific writing, editing and information discovery—and why guardrails are essential. The conversation examines practical applications of AI, including literature screening, early-stage drafting and editorial support, while addressing the limitations that can undermine quality and trust. Panelists share real-world examples showing how different tools can produce conflicting results and why expert review is required to ensure accuracy and relevance. Listen to the full interview to gain insight into how organizations can harness AI’s efficiency while keeping scientific rigor and the human perspective at the center of their work.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kristin Cirello Pothier, KPMG life sciences and global deal strategy leader, discusses the 2026 investment outlook. She reviews 2025 deal lessons, why cost discipline rose after COVID, and which early‑2026 acquisitions signal priorities. Conversations cover FDA uncertainty, manufacturing choices for smaller firms, and how valuations favor proven innovation.

Angus Liu, a biopharma reporter who tracks M&A and AI trends, and Zoey Becker, a pharma journalist covering industry shifts, unpack JPM highlights. They note a quieter conference with fewer mega-deals. They discuss widespread AI buzz without clear drug outcomes. They compare deal timing, disclosure rules, and China’s rising biotech presence.

As payers focus on long-term outcomes and real-world performance, value matters more than ever. RTI Health Solutions experts discuss how clear evidence storytelling drives access decisions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kevin Dunleavy and Eric Saganowski, experts from Fierce Pharma, dive into the whirlwind of 2025 FDA drug approvals. They analyze the surprising surge in approvals despite agency turmoil and layoffs. The duo reveals that European firms outperformed US companies, and 57% of new drugs were for rare diseases. Insightful discussions cover the declining trend in blockbuster drugs and the implications of fewer advisory committee meetings. With a focus on oncology and the complexities of drug development, this conversation sheds light on the future of biopharma.

Explore how patient voices are reshaping the life sciences landscape. Discover the impact of patient-reported outcomes on reimbursement decisions and the evolution of trial design through coauthorship and advisory boards. Learn about the significance of effective communication tailored to patients, clinicians, and payers. Unpack the importance of building trust with diverse communities to enhance participation in trials. Finally, dive into practical strategies for fostering patient-centric programs that benefit everyone involved.