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

Is biotech taking a trip to the world of psychedelic drugs? Why is Novo Nordisk going after Eli Lilly’s Zepbound ads? And what are peptides? 

This week on "The Top Line," Fierce's Zoey Becker, Will Maddox and Kevin Dunleavy chat about some of the biggest recent stories. From a psychedelics acquisition that could spark more movement in the emerging field to an advisory committee meeting on peptides shrouded in political controversy to a lawsuit between the two major obesity drugmakers, we’ll catch you up on the latest developments shaking up the biopharma world.

To learn more about the topics in this episode: 
‘A rising tide scenario’: Why other Big Pharmas could follow Lilly into psychedelics 
UPDATE: Peptides favored on 1st day of closely watched FDA compounding adcomm
Peptide adcomm Day 2: Emideltide voted down in panel's 1st pushback
Novo Nordisk files lawsuit accusing rival Eli Lilly of running ‘false and misleading’ GLP-1 ads 
Novo escalates Lilly false advertising suit with planned bid to halt comparative ads 

Is biotech taking a trip to the world of psychedelic drugs? Why is Novo Nordisk going after Eli Lilly&rsquo;s Zepbound ads? And what are peptides?&nbsp;
This week on "The Top Line," Fierce's Zoey Becker, Will Maddox and Kevin Dunleavy chat about some of the biggest recent stories. From a psychedelics acquisition that could spark more movement in the emerging field to an advisory committee meeting on peptides shrouded in political controversy to a lawsuit between the two major obesity drugmakers, we&rsquo;ll catch you up on the latest developments shaking up the biopharma world.
To learn more about the topics in this episode:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/rising-tide-scenario-why-other-big-pharmas-could-follow-lilly-psychedelics" aria-label="Link &lsquo;A rising tide scenario&rsquo;: Why other Big Pharmas could follow Lilly into psychedelics">&lsquo;A rising tide scenario&rsquo;: Why other Big Pharmas could follow Lilly into psychedelics</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercepharma.com/pharma/fda-adcomm-advisers-recommend-removal-restrictions-1st-7-peptides" aria-label="Link UPDATE: Peptides favored on 1st day of closely watched FDA compounding adcomm">UPDATE: Peptides favored on 1st day of closely watched FDA compounding adcomm</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercepharma.com/pharma/peptide-adcomm-day-2-emideltide-voted-down-panels-1st-peptide-pushback" aria-label="Link Peptide adcomm Day 2: Emideltide voted down in panel's 1st pushback">Peptide adcomm Day 2: Emideltide voted down in panel's 1st pushback</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercepharma.com/marketing/novo-accuses-lilly-running-false-and-misleading-glp-1-ads" aria-label="Link Novo Nordisk files lawsuit accusing rival Eli Lilly of running &lsquo;false and misleading&rsquo; GLP-1 ads">Novo Nordisk files lawsuit accusing rival Eli Lilly of running &lsquo;false and misleading&rsquo; GLP-1 ads</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercepharma.com/marketing/novo-turns-heat-lilly-false-advertising-suit-seeking-preliminary-injunction-stop-rivals" aria-label="Link Novo escalates Lilly false advertising suit with planned bid to halt comparative ads">Novo escalates Lilly false advertising suit with planned bid to halt comparative ads</a>&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Psychedelics, peptides and GLP-1s  

This week on "The Top Line," Fierce Healthcare and Life Sciences' editor-in-chief steps behind the microphone for a solo episode highlighting several of the biggest stories in biopharma.

The episode covers GSK’s first lung cancer approval following its acquisition of Nuvalent, Axiom Biosciences’ unusual plan to list first in Hong Kong before pursuing a Nasdaq co-listing amid a resurgent biotech IPO market, and the U.S. House’s passage of legislation directing the FDA to update its animal testing rules.

The episode also includes an update from the Fierce newsroom, including the arrival of a new Fierce Biotech staff writer, and a reflection on why human judgment, curiosity and original reporting matter more than ever.

To learn more about the topics in this episode: 
GSK secures first lung cancer approval as FDA clears Jideytro in quick payoff from Nuvalent deal
‘There is always a first’: Why US biotech Axiom will begin its IPO journey in Hong Kong
House passes bill directing FDA to update animal testing rules

This week on "The Top Line," Fierce Healthcare and Life Sciences' editor-in-chief steps behind the microphone for a solo episode highlighting several of the biggest stories in biopharma.
The episode covers GSK&rsquo;s first lung cancer approval following its acquisition of Nuvalent, Axiom Biosciences&rsquo; unusual plan to list first in Hong Kong before pursuing a Nasdaq co-listing amid a resurgent biotech IPO market, and the U.S. House&rsquo;s passage of legislation directing the FDA to update its animal testing rules.
The episode also includes an update from the Fierce newsroom, including the arrival of a new Fierce Biotech staff writer, and a reflection on why human judgment, curiosity and original reporting matter more than ever.
To learn more about the topics in this episode:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercepharma.com/pharma/gsk-secures-first-ever-lung-cancer-fda-approval-jideytro-nuvalent-deal">GSK secures first lung cancer approval as FDA clears Jideytro in quick payoff from Nuvalent deal</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/axiom-plans-head-nasdaq-hong-kong">&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/cro/us-house-passes-bill-direct-fda-update-clinical-trial-regulations-and-allow-non-animal-testing">House passes bill directing FDA to update animal testing rules</a></li>
</ul>

GSK’s first lung cancer approval, a new IPO path and more

Clinical trial success depends on more than scientific rigor and operational execution. It also depends on the financial systems that support every stage of a study. In this episode of The Top Line, Zahiah “Zee Zee” Gueddar, senior director of commercial strategy for the Clinical Trial Financial Suite at IQVIA Technologies, discusses why modernizing clinical trial finance has become a strategic priority for sponsors.

As trials become more complex, fragmented systems and manual workflows are creating bottlenecks that limit visibility, delay payments and introduce unnecessary risk. Gueddar explains how these challenges affect site relationships, operational efficiency and study performance, and why organizations can no longer afford to treat finance as a disconnected administrative process.

The conversation also highlights key indicators of readiness for transformation, from cross-functional alignment to executive sponsorship, and outlines the common pain points study teams face today. Ultimately, success depends on moving toward a connected, transparent and predictable financial model that reduces friction, improves collaboration and supports faster, more reliable clinical trials.

Clinical trial success depends on more than scientific rigor and operational execution. It also depends on the financial systems that support every stage of a study. In this episode of The Top Line, Zahiah &ldquo;Zee Zee&rdquo; Gueddar, senior director of commercial strategy for the Clinical Trial Financial Suite at IQVIA Technologies, discusses why modernizing clinical trial finance has become a strategic priority for sponsors.
As trials become more complex, fragmented systems and manual workflows are creating bottlenecks that limit visibility, delay payments and introduce unnecessary risk. Gueddar explains how these challenges affect site relationships, operational efficiency and study performance, and why organizations can no longer afford to treat finance as a disconnected administrative process.
The conversation also highlights key indicators of readiness for transformation, from cross-functional alignment to executive sponsorship, and outlines the common pain points study teams face today. Ultimately, success depends on moving toward a connected, transparent and predictable financial model that reduces friction, improves collaboration and supports faster, more reliable clinical trials.

A look at psychedelics and the next frontier of mental healthcare

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