The Top Line
The Top Line
Biopharma and medtech explained. Every week, journalists from Fierce Biotech, Fierce Medtech and Fierce Pharma recount the latest industry trends and why they matter. We’ll analyze the week’s biggest business news—from mergers and marketing to drug R&D and device development. Available every Friday morning.Social links:
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Trump's tariff threats, measured by manufacturing
Though uncertainty still surrounds the Trump administration’s pharmaceutical import tariffs, the trade rhetoric set off a clear response across the industry in 2025. Drugmakers accelerated U.S. manufacturing plans, pushing production higher as companies looked to insulate their supply chains. Now, …
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Why patient access must keep pace with drug innovation (Sponsored)
Biopharmaceutical innovation is advancing at an unprecedented pace, yet many patients still face barriers to accessing new medicines. In this episode of Health Matters, John O’Brien, president and CEO of the National Pharmaceutical Council, speaks with Kristin Cahill about why policy, pricing and b…
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What were the biggest clinical trial flops of 2025?
Every clinical setback carries lessons. That’s why Fierce revisits major trial failures each year: not to dwell on disappointment, but to understand what went wrong and what it signals for the road ahead. The 2025 edition of Fierce Biotech’s clinical trial flops report highlights a familiar patter…
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Community oncology’s growing role in the future of cancer care (Sponsored)
Community oncology is playing an increasingly important role in how cancer care is delivered across the United States, with a growing share of patients treated outside large academic medical centers. In this sponsored episode of The Top Line, host Chris Hayden sits down with Kirk Kaminsky, executiv…
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The biggest potential drug launches of 2026
The leaders of this year’s list of the most anticipated drug launches will likely come as no surprise: Fierce’s annual report on the biggest potential launches of 2026 details how the next obesity meds from Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are expected to rake in a respective $17.2 billion and $11.8 bill…
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How Mirum is Advancing Rare Disease Care Through Strategic M&A (Sponsored)
Please see the following USPI, US ISI, EU SmPC and Canadian Product Monograph for complete LIVMARLI product information: US Important Safety Information (https://livmarli.com/important-safety-information/) US Prescribing Information (https://files.mirumpharma.com/livmarli/livmarli-prescribinginfo…
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Why human expertise still matters in AI-driven med comms (Sponsored)
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. …
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Biopharma's rebound keeping pace so far
In this week’s episode of “The Top Line,” Fierce checks in with professional services juggernaut KPMG on the biopharma rebound many industry watchers predicted in the closing months of 2025. Fierce Pharma’s Fraiser Kansteiner sits down with Kristin Cirello Pothier, principal and U.S. and Americas …
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JPM26: Sunshine, AI and the deals that weren't
With this year’s iteration of the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference in the rearview mirror, the biopharma industry has officially closed the door on 2025 as it heads into what is sure to be another eventful year. In this week’s episode of "The Top Line," Fierce Pharma's Zoey Becker sits down with …
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From approval to value: Why evidence storytelling now matters (Sponsored)
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.
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