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

As biotech companies continue to navigate a challenging funding environment, Axiom Biosciences is taking an unconventional approach to raising capital and developing new therapies.

The company is pursuing a public listing in Hong Kong, with ambitions to eventually list on the Nasdaq. Meanwhile, it's developing several drug delivery platforms, including a stem cell therapy approach that doesn't rely on genetic modification.

In this episode of "The Top Line," Fierce Biotech's Marissa Russo speaks with Axiom founder and CEO Remo Moomiaie-Qajar about the company's financing strategy, its approach to drug development and what's next for its clinical pipeline.

To learn more about the topics in this episode: 
‘There is always a first’: Why US biotech Axiom will begin its IPO journey in Hong Kong
Why Axiom hopes it’s ‘solved 2 major potholes’ that have hurt other stem cell biotechs

As biotech companies continue to navigate a challenging funding environment, Axiom Biosciences is taking an unconventional approach to raising capital and developing new therapies.
The company is pursuing a public listing in Hong Kong, with ambitions to eventually list on the Nasdaq. Meanwhile, it's developing several drug delivery platforms, including a stem cell therapy approach that doesn't rely on genetic modification.
In this episode of "The Top Line," Fierce Biotech's Marissa Russo speaks with Axiom founder and CEO Remo Moomiaie-Qajar about the company's financing strategy, its approach to drug development and what's next for its clinical pipeline.
To learn more about the topics in this episode:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/axiom-plans-head-nasdaq-hong-kong" data-processed-url="true">&lsquo;There is always a first&rsquo;: Why US biotech Axiom will begin its IPO journey in Hong Kong</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercebiotech.com/research/axioms-wharton-jelly-stem-cell-therapy-posts-positive-phase-1-data-newborn-brain-injury" data-processed-url="true">Why Axiom hopes it&rsquo;s &lsquo;solved 2 major potholes&rsquo; that have hurt other stem cell biotechs</a></li>
</ul>

There's more than one way to build a biotech

For nearly three decades, Jigar Raythatha has helped build biotech companies and bring new medicines to patients. But in 2023, the Third Rock Ventures partner found himself on the other side of drug development when he was diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer.

In a remarkable coincidence, the same day Raythatha underwent the MRI that would lead to his diagnosis, Servier announced positive phase 3 results for a drug targeting his type of cancer. The treatment, now approved as Voranigo, was originally developed by Agios Pharmaceuticals, one of the first companies backed by Third Rock. Today, Raythatha takes that very drug.

In this episode of "The Top Line," Will Maddox speaks with Raythatha about his diagnosis, how his experience as a patient has changed his perspective on drug development and the advantages his industry knowledge and connections gave him in navigating treatment.

They also discuss the importance of early-stage biotech investment, the risks involved in developing new medicines and why Raythatha believes taking chances on promising science remains essential. 

To learn more about the topics in this episode: 
Servier snags FDA approval for Voranigo, the first targeted therapy for a common type of brain tumor
Nuvation cancels plans to test brain cancer drug directly against Voranigo on FDA's advice
Servier to widen rare cancer offerings with $2.5B buyout of Day One and glioma drug Ojemda
FDA greenlights Revolution Medicines' pancreatic cancer gamechanger

 

Thank you, IQVIA Digital, for sponsoring today's episode.

 

For nearly three decades, Jigar Raythatha has helped build biotech companies and bring new medicines to patients. But in 2023, the Third Rock Ventures partner found himself on the other side of drug development when he was diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer.
In a remarkable coincidence, the same day Raythatha underwent the MRI that would lead to his diagnosis, Servier announced positive phase 3 results for a drug targeting his type of cancer. The treatment, now approved as Voranigo, was originally developed by Agios Pharmaceuticals, one of the first companies backed by Third Rock. Today, Raythatha takes that very drug.
In this episode of "The Top Line," Will Maddox speaks with Raythatha about his diagnosis, how his experience as a patient has changed his perspective on drug development and the advantages his industry knowledge and connections gave him in navigating treatment.
They also discuss the importance of early-stage biotech investment, the risks involved in developing new medicines and why Raythatha believes taking chances on promising science remains essential.&nbsp;
To learn more about the topics in this episode:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercepharma.com/pharma/servier-snags-fda-approval-voranigo-first-targeted-therapy-type-brain-tumor" data-processed-url="true">Servier snags FDA approval for Voranigo, the first targeted therapy for a common type of brain tumor</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/nuvation-cancels-plans-test-brain-cancer-drug-directly-against-voranigo-fdas-advice" data-processed-url="true">Nuvation cancels plans to test brain cancer drug directly against Voranigo on FDA's advice</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercepharma.com/pharma/servier-adopt-sibling-voranigo-25b-purchase-day-one-and-its-childhood-brain-tumor-med" data-processed-url="true">Servier to widen rare cancer offerings with $2.5B buyout of Day One and glioma drug Ojemda</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercebiotech.com/pharma/fda-greenlights-revolution-medicines-pancreatic-cancer-gamechanger" data-processed-url="true">FDA greenlights Revolution Medicines' pancreatic cancer gamechanger</a></li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
Thank you, <a href="iqviadigital.com">IQVIA Digital,</a> for sponsoring today's episode.
&nbsp;

When drug development gets personal

Life science field teams are a major source of customer insight, but growing complexity, limited HCP access and expanding omnichannel demands can make it difficult to turn every interaction into action. In this sponsored episode of The Top Line, host Kelly Hogan speaks with Nick Syndercombe, STEM AI lead program director at Inizio Ignite, about how AI can help connect real-world field conversations to coaching, strategic insights and stronger execution.

Syndercombe explains how STEM AI was developed to let field teams record customer conversations for analysis by an LLM AI, producing rapid, individualized coaching feedback. For managers and leadership teams, the solution provides aggregated real-time KPI and trend analysis, along with customer sentiment on messages delivered in the field and the impact of strategy. He also discusses the importance of field-team adoption, change management, data security and moving beyond simply reporting what is happening to understanding why.

Their conversation explores how STEM AI aims to turn HCP interactions into personalized coaching, actionable insights and strategic reporting for continuous improvement and long-term commercial impact.

Life science field teams are a major source of customer insight, but growing complexity, limited HCP access and expanding omnichannel demands can make it difficult to turn every interaction into action. In this sponsored episode of The Top Line, host Kelly Hogan speaks with Nick Syndercombe, STEM AI lead program director at Inizio Ignite, about how AI can help connect real-world field conversations to coaching, strategic insights and stronger execution.
Syndercombe explains how STEM AI was developed to let field teams record customer conversations for analysis by an LLM AI, producing rapid, individualized coaching feedback. For managers and leadership teams, the solution provides aggregated real-time KPI and trend analysis, along with customer sentiment on messages delivered in the field and the impact of strategy. He also discusses the importance of field-team adoption, change management, data security and moving beyond simply reporting what is happening to understanding why.
Their conversation explores how STEM AI aims to turn HCP interactions into personalized coaching, actionable insights and strategic reporting for continuous improvement and long-term commercial impact.

A look at psychedelics and the next frontier of mental healthcare

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