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 region life sciences sector leader, as well as global deal advisory and strategy leader for health and life sciences at KPMG, to discuss the firm’s latest industry outlook. Pothier also explains how drugmakers are cutting through the noise and reflects on the technology, indication and valuation factors shaping today’s dealmaking appetite.

To learn more about the topics in this episode: 
2026 forecast: After a surge of M&A in Q4, will the trend continue?
Halozyme catches M&A wave to snap up Surf Bio in delivery tech deal worth up to $400M
Global pharma manufacturing output surged in '25 in 'front-loading' response to US tariff threats: report
In quick reversal, Trump calls off tariff threat related to Greenland pursuit

In this week&rsquo;s episode of &ldquo;The Top Line,&rdquo; Fierce checks in with professional services juggernaut KPMG on the biopharma rebound many industry watchers predicted in the closing months of 2025.
Fierce Pharma&rsquo;s Fraiser Kansteiner sits down with Kristin Cirello Pothier, principal and U.S. and Americas region life sciences sector leader, as well as global deal advisory and strategy leader for health and life sciences at KPMG, to discuss the firm&rsquo;s latest industry outlook. Pothier also explains how drugmakers are cutting through the noise and reflects on the technology, indication and valuation factors shaping today&rsquo;s dealmaking appetite.
To learn more about the topics in this episode:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercepharma.com/pharma/2026-forecast-after-surge-ma-q4-will-trend-continue-next-year">2026 forecast: After a surge of M&amp;A in Q4, will the trend continue?</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercepharma.com/pharma/halozyme-catches-ma-wave-snap-surf-bio-delivery-tech-deal-worth-400m">Halozyme catches M&amp;A wave to snap up Surf Bio in delivery tech deal worth up to $400M</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercepharma.com/manufacturing/pharma-manufacturing-output-surged-25-countries-braced-us-tariffs-atradius">Global pharma manufacturing output surged in '25 in 'front-loading' response to US tariff threats: report</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercepharma.com/pharma/trumps-new-tariff-threats-around-greenland-threaten-upend-eu-trade-deal">In quick reversal, Trump calls off tariff threat related to Greenland pursuit</a></li>
</ul>

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. 

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&amp;D and device development. Available every Friday morning.&nbsp;

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.

 

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&rsquo;ll analyze the week&rsquo;s biggest business news&mdash;from mergers and marketing to drug R&amp;D and device development. Available every Friday morning.
&nbsp;

Biopharma's rebound keeping pace so far

Each year, the global oncology community flocks to Chicago to convene at the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s annual meeting for a weekend of buzzy data drops, practice-changing posters and insightful sessions.  

In this week’s episode of "The Top Line," Fierce Biotech and Fierce Pharma’s Darren Incorvaia, Zoey Becker and Angus Liu break down the biggest takeaways from their weekend of reporting live from the Windy City. From “nutty” in vivo CAR-T data to a historic first for a Chinese biotech asset, ASCO 2026 reflected new and continuing trends within the evolving state of cancer care today.  

To learn more about the topics in this episode:  


ASCO: Revolution Medicines confident in RAS leadership as rivals square up 


ASCO: Lilly exec points to ‘nutty’ 100% response rate for in vivo CAR-T as justifying Kelonia buyout 


ASCO preview: With expectations jacked up, Akeso's ivonescimab to face scrutiny in high-stakes plenary 

Each year, the global oncology community flocks to Chicago to convene at the American Society of Clinical Oncology&rsquo;s annual meeting for a weekend of buzzy data drops, practice-changing posters and insightful sessions.&nbsp;&nbsp;
In this week&rsquo;s episode of "The Top Line," Fierce Biotech and Fierce Pharma&rsquo;s Darren Incorvaia, Zoey Becker and Angus Liu break down the biggest takeaways from their weekend of reporting live from the Windy City. From &ldquo;nutty&rdquo; in vivo CAR-T data to a historic first for a Chinese biotech asset, ASCO 2026 reflected new and continuing trends within the evolving state of cancer care today.&nbsp;&nbsp;
To learn more about the topics in this episode:&nbsp;&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/asco-revolution-medicines-confident-ras-leadership-rivals-square">ASCO: Revolution Medicines confident in RAS leadership as rivals square up</a>&nbsp;
</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/asco-kelonia-keeps-vivo-car-t-momentum-rolling-nutty-100-response-rate">ASCO: Lilly exec points to &lsquo;nutty&rsquo; 100% response rate for in vivo CAR-T as justifying Kelonia buyout</a>&nbsp;
</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.fiercepharma.com/pharma/asco-preview-expectations-jacked-akeso-ivonescimab-face-scrutiny-high-stakes-plenary">ASCO preview: With expectations jacked up, Akeso's ivonescimab to face scrutiny in high-stakes plenary</a>&nbsp;
</li>
</ul>

Behind the headlines of ASCO 2026  

High‑risk MDS and AML continue to challenge clinicians, with limited durable responses and few options for older or treatment‑refractory patients. In this sponsored episode of The Top Line, host Stephanie Butler is joined by Dr. Amer Zeidan, Professor of Internal Medicine at Yale School of Medicine, to unpack new ASCO 2026 data that are drawing attention across the myeloid malignancies field.

The discussion focuses on mesutoclax, a novel oral BCL‑2 inhibitor evaluated in combination with azacitidine. Dr. Zeidan breaks down early findings showing a 100% objective response rate with CR rate of 40% per IWG 2006 criteria and 90% composite complete response with CR in 60% in treatment‑naïve high‑risk MDS, along with strong efficacy and encouraging safety signals in AML, with over 80% composite CR, and with potent activity in TP53 mutant, as well as zero death within 30 or 60 days and rapid cytopenia recovery.

Listeners will hear how mesutoclax’s potency, selectivity, and pharmacokinetic profile may overcome key limitations of existing BCL‑2 inhibitors, and what these results could mean for future frontline treatment strategies.

High‑risk MDS and AML continue to challenge clinicians, with limited durable responses and few options for older or treatment‑refractory patients. In this sponsored episode of The Top Line, host Stephanie Butler is joined by Dr. Amer Zeidan, Professor of Internal Medicine at Yale School of Medicine, to unpack new ASCO 2026 data that are drawing attention across the myeloid malignancies field. The discussion focuses on mesutoclax, a novel oral BCL‑2 inhibitor evaluated in combination with azacitidine. Dr. Zeidan breaks down early findings showing a 100% objective response rate with CR rate of 40% per IWG 2006 criteria and 90% composite complete response with CR in 60% in treatment‑na&iuml;ve high‑risk MDS, along with strong efficacy and encouraging safety signals in AML, with over 80% composite CR, and with potent activity in TP53 mutant, as well as zero death within 30 or 60 days and rapid cytopenia recovery. Listeners will hear how mesutoclax&rsquo;s potency, selectivity, and pharmacokinetic profile may overcome key limitations of existing BCL‑2 inhibitors, and what these results could mean for future frontline treatment strategies.

Mesutoclax points to possible shift in high-risk MDS and AML (Sponsored)

Boston remains biotech's most influential hub, but the questions facing the region are increasingly global.

Recorded live at Fierce Biotech Week in Boston, this panel discussion brings together Uli Stilz, senior advisor at Flagship Pioneering; Bruce Beutel, CEO and co-founder of PassKey; and Ben Bradford, head of external affairs at MassBio, for a conversation about the future of biotech innovation. Moderated by Senior Writer Darren Incorvaia, the discussion explores everything from funding pressures and talent trends to AI, clinical development and growing competition from biotech ecosystems around the world.

Along the way, the panelists debate what the industry can learn from China's rapid innovation model, why investors and pharma companies have shifted toward clinically validated assets and whether biotech needs a fundamentally new operating model to accelerate drug development and bring breakthrough science to patients.

To learn more about the topics in this episode: 
After 230% deal size explosion, China is no longer the 'bargain basement' for biopharma licensing: analyst
Facing mounting China licensing costs, biopharma buyers turn to AI and local know-how to keep up
As calls for COINS Act expansion grow, will new rules sweep up China biotech licensing?
From drug development to M&A, Big Pharmas showcase AI’s ‘measurable impact’

Boston remains biotech's most influential hub, but the questions facing the region are increasingly global.
Recorded live at Fierce Biotech Week in Boston, this panel discussion brings together Uli Stilz, senior advisor at Flagship Pioneering; Bruce Beutel, CEO and co-founder of PassKey; and Ben Bradford, head of external affairs at MassBio, for a conversation about the future of biotech innovation. Moderated by Senior Writer Darren Incorvaia, the discussion explores everything from funding pressures and talent trends to AI, clinical development and growing competition from biotech ecosystems around the world.
Along the way, the panelists debate what the industry can learn from China's rapid innovation model, why investors and pharma companies have shifted toward clinically validated assets and whether biotech needs a fundamentally new operating model to accelerate drug development and bring breakthrough science to patients.
To learn more about the topics in this episode:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/analyst-china-no-longer-bargain-basement-biotech-acquisitions">After 230% deal size explosion, China is no longer the 'bargain basement' for biopharma licensing: analyst</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/chinese-biotechs-raise-costs-buyers-turn-ai-local-know-how-keep">Facing mounting China licensing costs, biopharma buyers turn to AI and local know-how to keep up</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/calls-coins-act-expansion-grow-new-rules-sweep-china-biotech-licensing">As calls for COINS Act expansion grow, will new rules sweep up China biotech licensing?</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/drug-development-ma-big-pharmas-showcase-measurable-impact-ai">From drug development to M&amp;A, Big Pharmas showcase AI&rsquo;s &lsquo;measurable impact&rsquo;</a></li>
</ul>

Biopharma's rebound keeping pace so far

In 1 playlist(s)

The Top Line

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips