Matthew Herper
@matthewherper.bsky.social
I write about medicine at STAT. This is biology's century. Every data point has a face.
What Pfizer’s Metsera deal means for biotech M&A www.statnews.com/2025/11/11/p... via @statnews.com
What Pfizer’s Metsera deal means for biotech M&A
What might Pfizer's Metsera deal mean for biotech M&A? Quite a lot.
www.statnews.com
November 11, 2025 at 2:23 PM
What Pfizer’s Metsera deal means for biotech M&A www.statnews.com/2025/11/11/p... via @statnews.com
OMG.
Arena BioWorks, an ambitious biomedical institute backed by billionaires, abruptly shuts down www.statnews.com/2025/11/04/a... via @statnews.com
Arena BioWorks, an ambitious biomedical institute backed by billionaires, abruptly shuts down www.statnews.com/2025/11/04/a... via @statnews.com
Arena BioWorks, an ambitious biomedical institute backed by billionaires, abruptly shuts down
Exclusive: Arena Bioworks, the buzzy research institute that launched with $500 million to support a decade of scientific R&D, is abruptly shutting down, STAT has learned.
www.statnews.com
November 5, 2025 at 1:40 AM
OMG.
Arena BioWorks, an ambitious biomedical institute backed by billionaires, abruptly shuts down www.statnews.com/2025/11/04/a... via @statnews.com
Arena BioWorks, an ambitious biomedical institute backed by billionaires, abruptly shuts down www.statnews.com/2025/11/04/a... via @statnews.com
Reposted by Matthew Herper
Important new analysis from @matthewherper.bsky.social and @lizzylawrence.bsky.social about the ongoing situation at FDA. This quote from an agency staffer sums up the potential concerns. www.statnews.com/2025/11/04/f...
November 4, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Important new analysis from @matthewherper.bsky.social and @lizzylawrence.bsky.social about the ongoing situation at FDA. This quote from an agency staffer sums up the potential concerns. www.statnews.com/2025/11/04/f...
Experts worry FDA’s credibility is being shredded by scandal and 'embarassing' ‘soap opera’ 'clown show' www.statnews.com/2025/11/04/f...
Experts worry FDA’s credibility is being shredded by scandal and 'soap opera'
Experts worry that the FDA’s credibility is being shredded by scandal and "soap opera."
www.statnews.com
November 4, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Experts worry FDA’s credibility is being shredded by scandal and 'embarassing' ‘soap opera’ 'clown show' www.statnews.com/2025/11/04/f...
Lawsuit against top FDA drug regulator is packed with incendiary texts, emails
Because of course it is.
www.statnews.com/2025/11/03/g... via @statnews.com
Because of course it is.
www.statnews.com/2025/11/03/g... via @statnews.com
Lawsuit against top FDA drug regulator is packed with incendiary texts, emails
A lawsuit filed against George Tidmarsh, who resigned from a top FDA post on Sunday, includes a series of incendiary texts and emails
www.statnews.com
November 3, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Lawsuit against top FDA drug regulator is packed with incendiary texts, emails
Because of course it is.
www.statnews.com/2025/11/03/g... via @statnews.com
Because of course it is.
www.statnews.com/2025/11/03/g... via @statnews.com
FDA’s top drug regulator placed on leave amid investigation
CDER Director George Tidmarsh is accused of seeking to use authority to inflict financial harm on former associate
www.statnews.com/2025/11/02/f...
CDER Director George Tidmarsh is accused of seeking to use authority to inflict financial harm on former associate
www.statnews.com/2025/11/02/f...
FDA’s top drug regulator placed on leave amid investigation
George Tidmarsh, the FDA's top drug regulator, has been placed on leave after being accused of abusing his regulatory authority, STAT has learned.
www.statnews.com
November 2, 2025 at 9:52 PM
FDA’s top drug regulator placed on leave amid investigation
CDER Director George Tidmarsh is accused of seeking to use authority to inflict financial harm on former associate
www.statnews.com/2025/11/02/f...
CDER Director George Tidmarsh is accused of seeking to use authority to inflict financial harm on former associate
www.statnews.com/2025/11/02/f...
Below, GSK CEO Emma Walmsley meets Baby KJ, the child who was treated with CRISPR gene editing by researchers at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.
It was one of the biggest moment from #STATSummit. You can read about that moment and more here: www.statnews.com/2025/10/24/p...
It was one of the biggest moment from #STATSummit. You can read about that moment and more here: www.statnews.com/2025/10/24/p...
October 26, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Below, GSK CEO Emma Walmsley meets Baby KJ, the child who was treated with CRISPR gene editing by researchers at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.
It was one of the biggest moment from #STATSummit. You can read about that moment and more here: www.statnews.com/2025/10/24/p...
It was one of the biggest moment from #STATSummit. You can read about that moment and more here: www.statnews.com/2025/10/24/p...
Reposted by Matthew Herper
Insightful piece from @matthewherper.bsky.social that captures both the hopes being made possible by medical innovation and the concerns facing both drugmakers and the public.
It's also in front of the @statnews.com paywall.
It's also in front of the @statnews.com paywall.
Sometimes the biggest moments at a conference happen backstage. At the annual #STATSummit, that kind of moment involved a pharma CEO and a toddler in a tuxedo. www.statnews.com/2025/10/24/p...
At a gathering of biopharma executives, a moment of wonder — and also of worry
Sometimes the biggest moments at a conference happen backstage. At the annual STAT Summit, that kind of moment involved a pharma CEO and a toddler in a tuxedo.
www.statnews.com
October 24, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Insightful piece from @matthewherper.bsky.social that captures both the hopes being made possible by medical innovation and the concerns facing both drugmakers and the public.
It's also in front of the @statnews.com paywall.
It's also in front of the @statnews.com paywall.
The sci-fi films that physicists love to watch — from Interstellar to Spider-Man
Nature surveyed scientists about their favourite cinematic moments to celebrate the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology.
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Nature surveyed scientists about their favourite cinematic moments to celebrate the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology.
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
The sci-fi films that physicists love to watch — from Interstellar to Spider-Man
Nature surveyed scientists about their favourite cinematic moments to celebrate the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology.
www.nature.com
October 25, 2025 at 3:31 PM
The sci-fi films that physicists love to watch — from Interstellar to Spider-Man
Nature surveyed scientists about their favourite cinematic moments to celebrate the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology.
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Nature surveyed scientists about their favourite cinematic moments to celebrate the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology.
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Reposted by Matthew Herper
“Nobody succeeded ever, yet,” Moderna's Stephen Hoge said. “Now you can add our name to that long list of companies and academics that haven’t been able to show benefit.” Read more from @jasonmast.bsky.social and @matthewherper.bsky.social at @statnews.com
www.statnews.com/2025/10/22/m...
www.statnews.com/2025/10/22/m...
Moderna says key study of its CMV vaccine, expected to be its next big win, failed
Moderna said its experimental vaccine for cytomegalovirus failed in a key trial, a significant setback for a company already facing pressure from Wall Street and Washington.
www.statnews.com
October 22, 2025 at 8:57 PM
“Nobody succeeded ever, yet,” Moderna's Stephen Hoge said. “Now you can add our name to that long list of companies and academics that haven’t been able to show benefit.” Read more from @jasonmast.bsky.social and @matthewherper.bsky.social at @statnews.com
www.statnews.com/2025/10/22/m...
www.statnews.com/2025/10/22/m...
At a gathering of biopharma executives, a moment of wonder — and also of worry
Industry confronts an era of innovation in the shadow of concerns about public trust, pricing
My takeaways from last week's #STATSummit
www.statnews.com/2025/10/24/p...
Industry confronts an era of innovation in the shadow of concerns about public trust, pricing
My takeaways from last week's #STATSummit
www.statnews.com/2025/10/24/p...
At a gathering of biopharma executives, a moment of wonder — and also of worry
Sometimes the biggest moments at a conference happen backstage. At the annual STAT Summit, that kind of moment involved a pharma CEO and a toddler in a tuxedo.
www.statnews.com
October 24, 2025 at 1:30 PM
At a gathering of biopharma executives, a moment of wonder — and also of worry
Industry confronts an era of innovation in the shadow of concerns about public trust, pricing
My takeaways from last week's #STATSummit
www.statnews.com/2025/10/24/p...
Industry confronts an era of innovation in the shadow of concerns about public trust, pricing
My takeaways from last week's #STATSummit
www.statnews.com/2025/10/24/p...
Reposted by Matthew Herper
STAT's @matthewherper.bsky.social asks Eli Lily's Daniel Skovronsky about hiring Peter Marks and the revolving door of talent at the FDA.
#STATSummit
#STATSummit
October 16, 2025 at 3:29 PM
STAT's @matthewherper.bsky.social asks Eli Lily's Daniel Skovronsky about hiring Peter Marks and the revolving door of talent at the FDA.
#STATSummit
#STATSummit
Reposted by Matthew Herper
VERY TROUBLING NEWS REGARDING NIH INSTITUTE DIRECTORS
A new appointment for NIEHS
1/3
A new appointment for NIEHS
1/3
October 17, 2025 at 8:11 PM
VERY TROUBLING NEWS REGARDING NIH INSTITUTE DIRECTORS
A new appointment for NIEHS
1/3
A new appointment for NIEHS
1/3
Baby KJ’s doctors will ask FDA this winter to OK a clinical trial of pioneering gene editing approach
Squirming toddler with a rare liver disease leaves barely a dry eye at #STATSummit
www.statnews.com/2025/10/16/b...
Squirming toddler with a rare liver disease leaves barely a dry eye at #STATSummit
www.statnews.com/2025/10/16/b...
Baby KJ's doctors will ask FDA this winter to OK a clinical trial of pioneering gene editing approach
Baby KJ's medical team intend to ask the FDA to start a clinical trial that would be open to patients with seven different urea cycle disorders.
www.statnews.com
October 16, 2025 at 11:51 AM
Baby KJ’s doctors will ask FDA this winter to OK a clinical trial of pioneering gene editing approach
Squirming toddler with a rare liver disease leaves barely a dry eye at #STATSummit
www.statnews.com/2025/10/16/b...
Squirming toddler with a rare liver disease leaves barely a dry eye at #STATSummit
www.statnews.com/2025/10/16/b...
Reposted by Matthew Herper
Baby KJ, in a tiny tuxedo, shows up at the #STATSummit. His parents Kyle and Nicole Muldoon give an update on how he’s doing after his life-saving CRISPR treatment for a rare liver disease earlier this year.
Read their story: www.statnews.com/2025/05/15/c...
Read their story: www.statnews.com/2025/05/15/c...
October 15, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Baby KJ, in a tiny tuxedo, shows up at the #STATSummit. His parents Kyle and Nicole Muldoon give an update on how he’s doing after his life-saving CRISPR treatment for a rare liver disease earlier this year.
Read their story: www.statnews.com/2025/05/15/c...
Read their story: www.statnews.com/2025/05/15/c...
Reposted by Matthew Herper
At #STATSummit, Doctor Mike says medical organizations like the American Medical Association are losing the information war against health secretary Robert F. Kennedy.
October 15, 2025 at 8:22 PM
At #STATSummit, Doctor Mike says medical organizations like the American Medical Association are losing the information war against health secretary Robert F. Kennedy.
Reposted by Matthew Herper
At the #STATSummit, we asked Rochelle Walensky:"What are you most worried about for the next decade in science and medicine?"
Her reply 👇
Her reply 👇
October 15, 2025 at 9:11 PM
At the #STATSummit, we asked Rochelle Walensky:"What are you most worried about for the next decade in science and medicine?"
Her reply 👇
Her reply 👇
Reposted by Matthew Herper
Per CDC source: At internal leadership meeting this afternoon, it was shared that 1,257 people were RIF'd at CDC. Number may not be final. Apparently, chief of staff was unaware that RIFs were going to occur so not clear who is making decisions. (Short 🧵)
October 11, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Per CDC source: At internal leadership meeting this afternoon, it was shared that 1,257 people were RIF'd at CDC. Number may not be final. Apparently, chief of staff was unaware that RIFs were going to occur so not clear who is making decisions. (Short 🧵)
Reposted by Matthew Herper
HOO BOY. I just acquired the FINAL, approved 2026 #ACA rate filings for #ARIZONA and it's not pretty at all.
Premiums are going up 46.3% on average...and that's for full price enrollees.
acasignups.net/rate_changes...
Premiums are going up 46.3% on average...and that's for full price enrollees.
acasignups.net/rate_changes...
2026 Final Gross Rate Changes - Arizona: +46.3% (updated)
Originally posted 8/7/25 Overall preliminary rate changes via federal Rate Review database. Antidote Health Plan of AZ: (Unfortunately, no rate justification summary is available, and the full actuari...
acasignups.net
October 10, 2025 at 4:10 PM
HOO BOY. I just acquired the FINAL, approved 2026 #ACA rate filings for #ARIZONA and it's not pretty at all.
Premiums are going up 46.3% on average...and that's for full price enrollees.
acasignups.net/rate_changes...
Premiums are going up 46.3% on average...and that's for full price enrollees.
acasignups.net/rate_changes...
Reposted by Matthew Herper
Today my @nytimes.com colleagues and I are launching a new series called Lost Science. We interview US scientists who can no longer discover something new about our world, thanks to this year‘s cuts. Here is my first interview with a scientist who studied bees and fires. Gift link: nyti.ms/3IWXbiE
nyti.ms
October 8, 2025 at 11:29 PM
Today my @nytimes.com colleagues and I are launching a new series called Lost Science. We interview US scientists who can no longer discover something new about our world, thanks to this year‘s cuts. Here is my first interview with a scientist who studied bees and fires. Gift link: nyti.ms/3IWXbiE
Reposted by Matthew Herper
My first post as head of KSJ! Our first public event. This Thursday. Cambridge. Science journalism in a time of crisis. It's going to be 🔥. Join me and @katherinejwu.com @aniloza.bsky.social @sarareardon.bsky.social @akuchment.bsky.social @jeremyfaust.bsky.social and @edenmedina.bsky.social
October 7, 2025 at 12:09 PM
My first post as head of KSJ! Our first public event. This Thursday. Cambridge. Science journalism in a time of crisis. It's going to be 🔥. Join me and @katherinejwu.com @aniloza.bsky.social @sarareardon.bsky.social @akuchment.bsky.social @jeremyfaust.bsky.social and @edenmedina.bsky.social
Mississippi Baby Dies of Whooping Cough, the State’s First Pertussis Death in 13 Years www.mississippifreepress.org/mississippi-...
Mississippi Baby Dies of Whooping Cough Amid Rising Cases
A baby in Mississippi has died of whooping cough for the first time since 2012. The baby was less than two months old—too young for vaccination.
www.mississippifreepress.org
October 2, 2025 at 9:53 PM
Mississippi Baby Dies of Whooping Cough, the State’s First Pertussis Death in 13 Years www.mississippifreepress.org/mississippi-...
FDA approves another generic abortion pill, prompting outrage from conservatives
www.statnews.com/2025/10/02/f... via @statnews.com
www.statnews.com/2025/10/02/f... via @statnews.com
FDA approves another generic abortion pill, prompting outrage from conservatives
Federal officials have approved another generic version of the abortion pill mifepristone, a regulatory formality that quickly triggered pushback from anti-abortion groups and politicians aligned with...
www.statnews.com
October 2, 2025 at 9:20 PM
FDA approves another generic abortion pill, prompting outrage from conservatives
www.statnews.com/2025/10/02/f... via @statnews.com
www.statnews.com/2025/10/02/f... via @statnews.com
Reposted by Matthew Herper
NEWS: The federal govt is sending NYC’s top disease control official to Arizona for a months-long stint at an Indian Health Service facility.
That could complicate local infectious disease response efforts.
“If we have an outbreak, then we’re fucked,” a city health department staffer told me.
That could complicate local infectious disease response efforts.
“If we have an outbreak, then we’re fucked,” a city health department staffer told me.
October 1, 2025 at 8:23 PM
NEWS: The federal govt is sending NYC’s top disease control official to Arizona for a months-long stint at an Indian Health Service facility.
That could complicate local infectious disease response efforts.
“If we have an outbreak, then we’re fucked,” a city health department staffer told me.
That could complicate local infectious disease response efforts.
“If we have an outbreak, then we’re fucked,” a city health department staffer told me.
Reposted by Matthew Herper
"[I]t all happened without it being clear to the outside world exactly what Pfizer had given up or what the United States has gained. (Much will depend on the details of the agreements laid out Tuesday.)" Pfizer described the agreement as "voluntary" and "confidential," exacerbating this challenge.
Trump, Pfizer, and the art of a drug pricing deal www.statnews.com/2025/09/30/w... via @statnews.com
Trump, Pfizer, and the art of a drug pricing deal
The Trump administration’s posture toward the pharma industry has largely been driven by threats, and a tense negotiation over prices. On Tuesday, in the Oval Office, there was talk of friendship.
www.statnews.com
September 30, 2025 at 9:10 PM
"[I]t all happened without it being clear to the outside world exactly what Pfizer had given up or what the United States has gained. (Much will depend on the details of the agreements laid out Tuesday.)" Pfizer described the agreement as "voluntary" and "confidential," exacerbating this challenge.