In this episode of “The Top Line,” we explore the next potential wave of mental health therapy: psychedelics. 

Fierce Biotech's Max Bayer sits down with Scott Aaronson, M.D., a seasoned clinician and psychiatrist with over 30 years of experience in the field. They discuss how psychedelics might be used in the treatment of conditions such as depression, substance addiction, PTSD, anorexia, and more. They also examine the obstacles developers face as they advance their studies.  

To learn more about the topics in this episode: 
MDMA approval filing nears after drug hits again in phase 3, showing consistent PTSD improvements
Early clinical data on psilocybin in anorexia point Compass to potential new opportunity
Otsuka adopts new Mindset, dropping $59M to buy Canadian psychedelic biotech

In this episode of “The Top Line,” we explore the next potential wave of mental health therapy: psychedelics. 
Fierce Biotech's Max Bayer sits down with Scott Aaronson, M.D., a seasoned clinician and psychiatrist with over 30 years of experience in the field. They discuss how psychedelics might be used in the treatment of conditions such as depression, substance addiction, PTSD, anorexia, and more. They also examine the obstacles developers face as they advance their studies.  
To learn more about the topics in this episode: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/mdma-approval-filing-nears-after-drug-hits-again-phase-3-showing-consistent-ptsd">MDMA approval filing nears after drug hits again in phase 3, showing consistent PTSD improvements</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/early-clinical-data-psilocybin-anorexia-points-compass-potential-new-opportunity">Early clinical data on psilocybin in anorexia point Compass to potential new opportunity</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/otsuka-adopts-new-mindset-dropping-59m-buy-canadian-psychedelic-biotech">Otsuka adopts new Mindset, dropping $59M to buy Canadian psychedelic biotech</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;

A look at psychedelics and the next frontier of mental healthcare

Prediction markets are opening up new ways to bet on biopharma events, from clinical trial readouts to FDA approvals. But they also create a new set of risks for an industry where employees, researchers, contractors and others may have access to confidential information that could give them an edge.

In this episode of “The Top Line,” Fierce Biotech’s Will Maddox talks with David Oliwenstein, a partner at Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman and former SEC enforcement attorney, about how regulators may approach misuse of nonpublic information in prediction markets, why biopharma could face heightened scrutiny and what companies should be doing now to reduce their risk.

To learn more about the topics in this episode: 
Betting on biotech: Prediction markets set sights on clinical trials

Prediction markets are opening up new ways to bet on biopharma events, from clinical trial readouts to FDA approvals. But they also create a new set of risks for an industry where employees, researchers, contractors and others may have access to confidential information that could give them an edge.
In this episode of &ldquo;The Top Line,&rdquo; Fierce Biotech&rsquo;s Will Maddox talks with David Oliwenstein, a partner at Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman and former SEC enforcement attorney, about how regulators may approach misuse of nonpublic information in prediction markets, why biopharma could face heightened scrutiny and what companies should be doing now to reduce their risk.
To learn more about the topics in this episode:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/betting-biotech-prediction-markets-set-sights-clinical-trials" data-processed-url="true">Betting on biotech: Prediction markets set sights on clinical trials</a></li>
</ul>

Inside the growing world of biopharma prediction markets

Revolution Medicines recently made history with the approval of its RAS inhibitor Rasonque for advanced pancreatic cancer. But behind RevMed is an entire field of biotechs working to broaden the reach of RAS-targeting drugs.

In this week’s episode of “The Top Line,” Fierce Biotech’s Darren Incorvaia sits down with Verastem Oncology CEO Dan Paterson and Chief Scientific Officer Jonathan Pachter, Ph.D., to discuss the significance of Revolution Medicines’ recent pancreatic cancer approval, Verastem’s work in the RAS-targeting space and how the company is trying to improve on existing approaches.

To learn more about the topics in this episode: 


FDA greenlights Revolution Medicines' pancreatic cancer gamechanger 


As RevMed preps for ‘historic’ pancreatic cancer launch, questions linger on the ground 


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


AACR: Revolution sees pancreatic cancer win as 'tip of the iceberg' as RAS wave rises 


Fierce 50 of 2026: Breakthrough honoree Verastem Oncology


Fierce 50 of 2026: Breakthrough honoree Revolution Medicines 

Revolution Medicines recently made history with the approval of its RAS inhibitor Rasonque for advanced pancreatic cancer. But behind RevMed is an entire field of biotechs working to broaden the reach of RAS-targeting drugs.
In this week&rsquo;s episode of &ldquo;The Top Line,&rdquo; Fierce Biotech&rsquo;s Darren Incorvaia sits down with Verastem Oncology CEO Dan Paterson and Chief Scientific Officer Jonathan Pachter, Ph.D., to discuss the significance of Revolution Medicines&rsquo; recent pancreatic cancer approval, Verastem&rsquo;s work in the RAS-targeting space and how the company is trying to improve on existing approaches.
To learn more about the topics in this episode:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.fiercepharma.com/pharma/fda-greenlights-revolution-medicines-pancreatic-cancer-gamechanger">FDA greenlights Revolution Medicines' pancreatic cancer gamechanger</a>&nbsp;
</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.fiercepharma.com/pharma/revmed-preps-historic-pancreatic-cancer-launch-questions-linger-ground">As RevMed preps for &lsquo;historic&rsquo; pancreatic cancer launch, questions linger on the ground</a>&nbsp;
</li>
</ul>
<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/aacr-revolution-rolls-pancreatic-cancer-ras-wave-rises">AACR: Revolution sees pancreatic cancer win as 'tip of the iceberg' as RAS wave rises</a>&nbsp;
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.fiercepharma.com/fierce-50/verastem-oncology">Fierce 50 of 2026: Breakthrough honoree Verastem Oncology</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.fiercepharma.com/fierce-50/revolution-medicines">Fierce 50 of 2026: Breakthrough honoree Revolution Medicines</a>&nbsp;
</li>
</ul>

The future of RAS inhibitors

The 2026 Fierce 50 includes people and organizations working on very different problems across biopharma and healthcare, from designing new proteins and developing cancer medicines to protecting vaccine science, improving health literacy and expanding representation in medicine.

In this episode of “The Top Line,” Fierce Editor-in-Chief Ayla Ellison looks at the stories behind several of this year’s honorees, including Revolution Medicines’ work targeting RAS, the protein-design research of David Baker, Ph.D., and Michael Osterholm, Ph.D.’s, decision to put plans to step back from public health on hold. The episode also explores the work of Lisa Fitzpatrick, M.D., Hip Hop Public Health, Eric Topol, M.D., and Mary Owen, M.D., and the problems they have chosen to keep working on.

The <a href="https://www.fiercepharma.com/collection/fierce-50-2026">2026 Fierce 50</a> includes people and organizations working on very different problems across biopharma and healthcare, from designing new proteins and developing cancer medicines to protecting vaccine science, improving health literacy and expanding representation in medicine.
In this episode of &ldquo;The Top Line,&rdquo; Fierce Editor-in-Chief Ayla Ellison looks at the stories behind several of this year&rsquo;s honorees, including Revolution Medicines&rsquo; work targeting RAS, the protein-design research of David Baker, Ph.D., and Michael Osterholm, Ph.D.&rsquo;s, decision to put plans to step back from public health on hold. The episode also explores the work of Lisa Fitzpatrick, M.D., Hip Hop Public Health, Eric Topol, M.D., and Mary Owen, M.D., and the problems they have chosen to keep working on.

A look at psychedelics and the next frontier of mental healthcare

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