Lilly Deals, Merck Acquisition & CAR-T Updates – The Readout LOUD Podcast

Biotech Dealmaking and Cancer Therapies in Focus on “The Readout LOUD”

This week’s episode of the STAT News podcast “The Readout LOUD” dives into recent activity in the biotech and pharmaceutical industries, including a flurry of deals involving Eli Lilly, Merck, and Allogene Therapeutics, as well as a glance at evolving cancer treatments. With co-host Allison DeAngelis still away, Elaine Chen and Adam Feuerstein are at the helm, navigating a landscape of mergers, acquisitions, and clinical trial data.

A significant portion of the discussion centers on Eli Lilly’s aggressive expansion in the oncology space, driven by its recent acquisition of Loxo Oncology. Jake van Naarden, the executive spearheading these deals for Lilly, is described as “very, very busy,” signaling a continued appetite for strategic acquisitions. STAT News reports that this activity is reshaping the biotech and pharma sectors, prompting questions about the future direction of drug development and investment.

Merck’s $7 Billion Acquisition of Terns Pharmaceuticals

Another major deal under scrutiny is Merck’s nearly $7 billion acquisition of Terns Pharmaceuticals. The podcast explores the rationale behind this move and why it has drawn some criticism. While the specific concerns weren’t detailed in the source material, the substantial price tag suggests a significant bet on Terns’ pipeline, particularly its work on therapies for leukemia. According to STAT News, the acquisition focuses on Terns’ lead candidate, TERN-701, a modest molecule targeting acute myeloid leukemia.

Off-the-Shelf CAR-T Therapy: Progress and Upcoming Data

The podcast also highlights the continued development of off-the-shelf CAR-T therapies for cancer. These therapies, which involve genetically engineering a patient’s immune cells to target cancer cells, have shown promise in treating certain blood cancers. The discussion previews an upcoming data readout from Allogene Therapeutics, suggesting potentially interesting results in lymphoma treatment. Allogene’s research focuses on creating CAR-T cells from donor cells, making the therapy more readily available than traditional CAR-T approaches that require customizing cells for each patient.

CAR-T therapy, or Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell therapy, involves extracting T cells (a type of immune cell) from a patient, modifying them in a lab to express a receptor that recognizes a specific protein on cancer cells, and then infusing them back into the patient. This allows the T cells to specifically target and destroy cancer cells. “Off-the-shelf” CAR-T therapies aim to overcome the logistical challenges and high costs associated with personalized CAR-T production by using donor-derived T cells.

Wave Life Sciences and the Weight Loss Drug Landscape

Finally, “The Readout LOUD” touches on the challenges faced by Wave Life Sciences in the context of the rapidly evolving weight loss drug market. The podcast suggests that the company may be facing headwinds as the focus shifts towards more effective weight loss medications. This observation underscores the competitive nature of the pharmaceutical industry and the importance of adapting to changing market dynamics.

FDA Scrutiny and Regulatory Shifts

Recent episodes of “The Readout LOUD” have also addressed broader issues within the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). A February 26, 2026 episode, as reported by iHeart, focused on FDA turmoil, election intrigue, and the impact of artificial intelligence on the healthcare sector. Earlier, on February 12, 2026, the podcast dedicated an entire episode to the FDA’s controversial decision to block the review of Moderna’s mRNA flu vaccine, a decision made by Vinay Prasad, the agency’s top regulator of vaccines, overruling other staffers. This raised concerns about the FDA’s regulatory posture and potential political influence.

These developments highlight the complex interplay between scientific evaluation, regulatory oversight, and political considerations in the pharmaceutical industry. The FDA’s decisions have significant implications for drug development, patient access, and public health.

Looking Ahead: Podcast Updates and Return of a Host

Listeners can expect the return of Allison DeAngelis to “The Readout LOUD” in the coming week. The podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other major podcast platforms. The show continues to provide a valuable resource for those seeking insights into the latest developments in the biotech and pharmaceutical industries.

Podcast Availability: “The Readout LOUD” is a weekly podcast from STAT News, offering in-depth analysis of biotech news and trends. Listeners can find the podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, ensuring convenient access to the latest episodes.