This week's episode of "The Top Line" features a discussion about what’s working now in biotech and what isn't. 

Recorded Oct. 7 at Fierce Biotech Week, this panel featuring leaders from past Fierce 15 winners digs into timelines, partnerships, what's hype, what's signal and how teams are pressure-testing their models in today's market. 

You'll hear from Generate Biomedicines CEO Mike Nally, Arbor Biotechnologies Chief Scientific Officer John Murphy, Epicrispr Biotechnologies CEO Amber Salzman, Ph.D., and Parabilis Medicines Chief Business Officer Greg Miller. The conversation was moderated by Fierce Biotech's Gabrielle Masson. 

To learn more about the topics in this episode: 
Fierce Biotech's 2022 Fierce 15
Fierce Biotech's 2023 Fierce 15

This week's episode of "The Top Line" features a discussion about what&rsquo;s working now in biotech and what isn't.&nbsp;
Recorded Oct. 7 at Fierce Biotech Week, this panel featuring leaders from past Fierce 15 winners digs into timelines, partnerships, what's hype, what's signal and how teams are pressure-testing their models in today's market.&nbsp;
You'll hear from Generate Biomedicines CEO Mike Nally, Arbor Biotechnologies Chief Scientific Officer John Murphy, Epicrispr Biotechnologies CEO Amber Salzman, Ph.D., and Parabilis Medicines Chief Business Officer Greg Miller. The conversation was moderated by Fierce Biotech's Gabrielle Masson.&nbsp;
To learn more about the topics in this episode:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercebiotech.com/special-reports/fierce-biotechs-2022-fierce-15">Fierce Biotech's 2022 Fierce 15</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercebiotech.com/special-reports/introducing-fierce-15-2023">Fierce Biotech's 2023 Fierce 15</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;

Fierce 15: Where are they now? 

While Lilly’s position in the obesity market and wider GLP-1 space has remained largely unshakeable in recent months, a crack in the company’s armor may be forming, according to at least one analyst. As that assessment dealt a blow to the company’s stock price in recent weeks, Lilly is plowing forward all the same with more details on its next wave of potential incretin drugs.  

In this week’s episode of "The Top Line," the Fierce Pharma team breaks down Lilly’s recent HSBC downgrade, what it signals for the GLP-1 and obesity markets, and the data shaping the company’s next wave of diabetes and weight loss products. Fierce’s Eric Sagonowsky is joined by Kevin Dunleavy and Fraiser Kansteiner to unpack the latest and assess the commercial narrative around GLP-1s so far.

To learn more about the topics in this episode: 
With downgrade, HSBC casts doubt about Lilly's 'stairway to heaven' trajectory
Lilly's triple-G bet lowers blood sugar, prompts 16.8% weight loss in phase 3 diabetes trial
Lilly's obesity triple threat smashes efficacy expectations in phase 3 but proves intolerable for some
Novo’s CagriSema tops semaglutide in ph. 3 diabetes study

While Lilly&rsquo;s position in the obesity market and wider GLP-1 space has remained largely unshakeable in recent months, a crack in the company&rsquo;s armor may be forming, according to at least one analyst. As that assessment dealt a blow to the company&rsquo;s stock price in recent weeks, Lilly is plowing forward all the same with more details on its next wave of potential incretin drugs.&nbsp;&nbsp;
In this week&rsquo;s episode of "The Top Line," the Fierce Pharma team breaks down Lilly&rsquo;s recent HSBC downgrade, what it signals for the GLP-1 and obesity markets, and the data shaping the company&rsquo;s next wave of diabetes and weight loss products. Fierce&rsquo;s Eric Sagonowsky is joined by Kevin Dunleavy and Fraiser Kansteiner to unpack the latest and assess the commercial narrative around GLP-1s so far.
To learn more about the topics in this episode:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li data-list-item-id="ef78a5d59005c461e2bffee8a5fe055da"><a href="https://www.fiercepharma.com/pharma/downgrade-hsbc-casts-doubt-about-lillys-stairway-heaven-trajectory">With downgrade, HSBC casts doubt about Lilly's 'stairway to heaven' trajectory</a></li>
<li data-list-item-id="e04aafad4e5d164506bd3bcaab53e7b37"><a href="https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/eli-lilly-retatrutide-type-2-diabetes-weight-loss-ph-3-data">Lilly's triple-G bet lowers blood sugar, prompts 16.8% weight loss in phase 3 diabetes trial</a></li>
<li data-list-item-id="e4be12604d639b1151cb60e74711308ce"><a href="https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/eli-lillys-obesity-triple-threat-smashes-efficacy-expectations-phase-3-proves-intolerable">Lilly's obesity triple threat smashes efficacy expectations in phase 3 but proves intolerable for some</a></li>
<li data-list-item-id="ee635b22ed461410682fc2b0206807749"><a href="https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/novos-cagrisema-tops-semaglutide-ph-3-diabetes-study-still-falls-short-25-weight-loss-goal">Novo&rsquo;s CagriSema tops semaglutide in ph. 3 diabetes study</a></li>
</ul>

Pulse check on Lilly's GLP-1 fortunes

In this episode of The Top Line, host Chris Hayden speaks with Olive McCormick, Head of Quality and Qualified Person at Almac Clinical Services about why late‑breaking issues in clinical trials pose such significant risk — and what teams can do to prevent them. McCormick explains that operational misalignment, delayed communication, overlooked regulatory steps or misinterpretation of requirements under the new UK Clinical Trial Regulation can snowball quickly, putting both patient safety and organizational credibility at stake.

She and Hayden discuss how sponsors, CROs and site teams can keep trials on track by establishing strong communication channels and maintaining a unified understanding of responsibilities as studies reach key milestones. McCormick stresses the value of proactive engagement and early insight into potential challenges, noting that waiting too long to identify or resolve issues increases the likelihood of disruptions.

The episode calls on clinical research professionals to prioritize transparency, coordination and shared accountability. Whether you’re leading a trial or supporting one, the discussion offers practical guidance to help teams avoid the preventable setbacks that so often arise near the finish line.

In this episode of The Top Line, host Chris Hayden speaks with Olive McCormick, Head of Quality and Qualified Person at Almac Clinical Services about why late‑breaking issues in clinical trials pose such significant risk &mdash; and what teams can do to prevent them. McCormick explains that operational misalignment, delayed communication, overlooked regulatory steps or misinterpretation of requirements under the new UK Clinical Trial Regulation can snowball quickly, putting both patient safety and organizational credibility at stake.
She and Hayden discuss how sponsors, CROs and site teams can keep trials on track by establishing strong communication channels and maintaining a unified understanding of responsibilities as studies reach key milestones. McCormick stresses the value of proactive engagement and early insight into potential challenges, noting that waiting too long to identify or resolve issues increases the likelihood of disruptions.
The episode calls on clinical research professionals to prioritize transparency, coordination and shared accountability. Whether you&rsquo;re leading a trial or supporting one, the discussion offers practical guidance to help teams avoid the preventable setbacks that so often arise near the finish line.

Proactive coordination is essential to protect patients, sponsors and trial integrity, especially as teams navigate the new UK Clinical Trial Regulation. Hear why alignment matters more than ever.

Avoiding 11th hour surprises in clinical trials (Sponsored)

Since Xaira’s eye-popping $1 billion fundraise in 2024, the company has said relatively little in public. That’s made it one of biotech’s more closely watched black boxes: a company with enormous backing, enormous ambition and, until recently, few clues about what it has actually been building.

In this week’s episode of “The Top Line,” Fierce Biotech’s Gabrielle Masson speaks with Xaira Chief Operating Officer Jeff Jonker about what the AI company is uncovering. Jonker discusses Xaira’s strategy as a next-generation biotech, the modalities and disease areas it is exploring, what he expects the industry to look like over the next five years and why Xaira is going after the “high-hanging fruit.”

To learn more about the topics in this episode: 
Xaira exec divulges R&D focus, how $1B fundraise fuels AI-driven hunt for what the 'industry is hungriest for'
New AI drug discovery powerhouse Xaira rises with $1B in funding
Biotech's top money raisers of 2024

Since Xaira&rsquo;s eye-popping $1 billion fundraise in 2024, the company has said relatively little in public. That&rsquo;s made it one of biotech&rsquo;s more closely watched black boxes: a company with enormous backing, enormous ambition and, until recently, few clues about what it has actually been building.
In this week&rsquo;s episode of &ldquo;The Top Line,&rdquo; Fierce Biotech&rsquo;s Gabrielle Masson speaks with Xaira Chief Operating Officer Jeff Jonker about what the AI company is uncovering. Jonker discusses Xaira&rsquo;s strategy as a next-generation biotech, the modalities and disease areas it is exploring, what he expects the industry to look like over the next five years and why Xaira is going after the &ldquo;high-hanging fruit.&rdquo;
To learn more about the topics in this episode:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/xaira-exec-divulges-rd-focus-how-ai-company-chasing-what-industry-hungriest">Xaira exec divulges R&amp;D focus, how $1B fundraise fuels AI-driven hunt for what the 'industry is hungriest for'</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/new-ai-drug-discovery-powerhouse-xaira-rises-1b-funding">New AI drug discovery powerhouse Xaira rises with $1B in funding</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/biotechs-top-money-raisers-2024">Biotech's top money raisers of 2024</a></li>
</ul>

Fierce 15: Where are they now?

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