RFK Jr. & HHS, Blenrep’s comeback, China deals: a BioCentury podcast

One editor’s take on why a Kennedy-led HHS would be disastrous for FDA, biopharma and patients

Giving Robert F. Kennedy Jr. control of HHS would be disastrous, argues Washington Editor Steve Usdin on the latest BioCentury This Week podcast. Expanding on his Editor’s Commentary, Usdin explains why Kennedy would be an unmitigated disaster for FDA, NIH and CMS, for companies that research, develop and manufacture medicines and for people around the world who rely on those companies and agencies. He calls on biopharma leaders to speak out and affirm basic truths, even if it puts them in harm’s way.

BioCentury’s Lauren Martz gives her take on why new data for Blenrep belantamab mafodotin — an oncology therapy withdrawn two years ago — help make the case for introducing new experimental therapies such as the antibody-drug conjugate from GSK plc (LSE:GSK; NYSE:GSK) earlier in the course of treatment.

And Paul Bonanos and his editorial colleagues discuss the recent bolus of West-East deals, including two around anti-PD-(L)1 x VEGF bispecifics: the acquisition of Biotheus Inc. by BioNTech SE (NASDAQ:BNTX) for $800 million up front, and the licensing of global rights by Merck & Co. Inc. (NYSE:MRK) to a program from LaNova Medicines Ltd. for $588 million. Monday’s Deals Report in BioCentury captures three more deals for China bispecifics.