Jason Mast
@jasonmast.bsky.social
Covering science, medicine & business for STAT
Reach out on Signal: JasonMast.05
Reach out on Signal: JasonMast.05
Vertex’s #$VRTX CRISPR cure for sickle cell has been slow to launch, reaching just 60 patients in 2 years.
Doctors told STAT there's been a surprising culprit: They often can't collect enough cells to make the therapy
www.statnews.com/2026/02/05/v...
Doctors told STAT there's been a surprising culprit: They often can't collect enough cells to make the therapy
www.statnews.com/2026/02/05/v...
Vertex’s CRISPR treatment for sickle cell disease hits unexpected roadblock
Vertex is running out of time to establish Casgevy as a transformative treatment for sickle cell.
www.statnews.com
February 5, 2026 at 2:31 PM
Vertex’s #$VRTX CRISPR cure for sickle cell has been slow to launch, reaching just 60 patients in 2 years.
Doctors told STAT there's been a surprising culprit: They often can't collect enough cells to make the therapy
www.statnews.com/2026/02/05/v...
Doctors told STAT there's been a surprising culprit: They often can't collect enough cells to make the therapy
www.statnews.com/2026/02/05/v...
Why Bristol Myers Squibb believes a decades-old drug can treat Alzheimer’s
www.statnews.com/2026/02/02/b...
www.statnews.com/2026/02/02/b...
Why Bristol Myers Squibb believes a decades-old drug can treat Alzheimer’s
Why Bristol Myers Squibb is banking on a decades-old drug to help secure its future.
www.statnews.com
February 2, 2026 at 12:37 PM
Why Bristol Myers Squibb believes a decades-old drug can treat Alzheimer’s
www.statnews.com/2026/02/02/b...
www.statnews.com/2026/02/02/b...
Reposted by Jason Mast
Recently out from pedi oncology colleagues, about "cancer exceptionalism."
tl;dr: We accept therapy-induced malignancies as part of the benefit-risk calculus when treating cancer, but are unwilling to weigh them in the balance when treating nonmalignant disease. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...
tl;dr: We accept therapy-induced malignancies as part of the benefit-risk calculus when treating cancer, but are unwilling to weigh them in the balance when treating nonmalignant disease. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...
January 28, 2026 at 2:53 PM
Recently out from pedi oncology colleagues, about "cancer exceptionalism."
tl;dr: We accept therapy-induced malignancies as part of the benefit-risk calculus when treating cancer, but are unwilling to weigh them in the balance when treating nonmalignant disease. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...
tl;dr: We accept therapy-induced malignancies as part of the benefit-risk calculus when treating cancer, but are unwilling to weigh them in the balance when treating nonmalignant disease. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...
FDA halts two Regenxbio gene therapy programs after brain tumor found in patient
Patient is asymptomatic. FDA was supposed to make a decision on lead program, for Hunter syndrome, on February 8
www.statnews.com/2026/01/28/f...
Patient is asymptomatic. FDA was supposed to make a decision on lead program, for Hunter syndrome, on February 8
www.statnews.com/2026/01/28/f...
FDA halts gene therapy trials after brain tumor found in patient
FDA paused trials for two experimental gene therapies from Regenxbio after one child developed a brain tumor.
www.statnews.com
January 28, 2026 at 12:36 PM
FDA halts two Regenxbio gene therapy programs after brain tumor found in patient
Patient is asymptomatic. FDA was supposed to make a decision on lead program, for Hunter syndrome, on February 8
www.statnews.com/2026/01/28/f...
Patient is asymptomatic. FDA was supposed to make a decision on lead program, for Hunter syndrome, on February 8
www.statnews.com/2026/01/28/f...
Scholars raise concerns about new FDA pathway for personalized CRISPR treatments
'When the FDA opens the door to these things, there’s a lot of pressure to then open the door a little wider and a little wider until an exceptional program becomes the norm'
www.statnews.com/2026/01/26/f...
'When the FDA opens the door to these things, there’s a lot of pressure to then open the door a little wider and a little wider until an exceptional program becomes the norm'
www.statnews.com/2026/01/26/f...
FDA’s new ‘plausible mechanism pathway’ for personalized gene editing raises concerns
A new FDA pathway meant to enable one-time gene-editing cures could, ethicists warn, become a Pandora's box.
www.statnews.com
January 26, 2026 at 4:29 PM
Scholars raise concerns about new FDA pathway for personalized CRISPR treatments
'When the FDA opens the door to these things, there’s a lot of pressure to then open the door a little wider and a little wider until an exceptional program becomes the norm'
www.statnews.com/2026/01/26/f...
'When the FDA opens the door to these things, there’s a lot of pressure to then open the door a little wider and a little wider until an exceptional program becomes the norm'
www.statnews.com/2026/01/26/f...
Endometriosis often takes years to diagnose. Startups want to change that
Scientists hunt for biomarkers in blood, menstrual fluid, spit, and stool
www.statnews.com/2026/01/26/e...
Scientists hunt for biomarkers in blood, menstrual fluid, spit, and stool
www.statnews.com/2026/01/26/e...
Endometriosis often takes years to diagnose. Startups want to change that
At least a dozen biotech companies are developing tools to diagnose endometriosis more easily.
www.statnews.com
January 26, 2026 at 2:50 PM
Endometriosis often takes years to diagnose. Startups want to change that
Scientists hunt for biomarkers in blood, menstrual fluid, spit, and stool
www.statnews.com/2026/01/26/e...
Scientists hunt for biomarkers in blood, menstrual fluid, spit, and stool
www.statnews.com/2026/01/26/e...
Reposted by Jason Mast
Thanks to @jasonmast.bsky.social for highlighting our analysis of FDA's new plausible mechanism pathway in @statnews.com.
Key pts:
- Plausible mech is a great idea for n of 1/few
- FDA needs to stop advancing policy via journal article
- Impt open Qs on scope
www.statnews.com/2026/01/26/f...
Key pts:
- Plausible mech is a great idea for n of 1/few
- FDA needs to stop advancing policy via journal article
- Impt open Qs on scope
www.statnews.com/2026/01/26/f...
FDA’s new ‘plausible mechanism pathway’ for personalized gene editing raises concerns
A new FDA pathway meant to enable one-time gene-editing cures could, ethicists warn, become a Pandora's box.
www.statnews.com
January 26, 2026 at 2:26 PM
Thanks to @jasonmast.bsky.social for highlighting our analysis of FDA's new plausible mechanism pathway in @statnews.com.
Key pts:
- Plausible mech is a great idea for n of 1/few
- FDA needs to stop advancing policy via journal article
- Impt open Qs on scope
www.statnews.com/2026/01/26/f...
Key pts:
- Plausible mech is a great idea for n of 1/few
- FDA needs to stop advancing policy via journal article
- Impt open Qs on scope
www.statnews.com/2026/01/26/f...
Scholars raise concerns about new FDA pathway for personalized CRISPR treatments
'When the FDA opens the door to these things, there’s a lot of pressure to then open the door a little wider and a little wider until an exceptional program becomes the norm'
'When the FDA opens the door to these things, there’s a lot of pressure to then open the door a little wider and a little wider until an exceptional program becomes the norm'
January 26, 2026 at 2:50 PM
Scholars raise concerns about new FDA pathway for personalized CRISPR treatments
'When the FDA opens the door to these things, there’s a lot of pressure to then open the door a little wider and a little wider until an exceptional program becomes the norm'
'When the FDA opens the door to these things, there’s a lot of pressure to then open the door a little wider and a little wider until an exceptional program becomes the norm'
Reposted by Jason Mast
DHS has shot 12 people during immigration enforcement operations since September:
January 25, 2026 at 4:27 PM
DHS has shot 12 people during immigration enforcement operations since September:
Federal health officials slash recommended childhood vaccinations under Trump’s directive www.statnews.com/2026/01/05/c...
Federal health officials slash recommended childhood vaccinations under Trump’s directive
The number of recommended childhood shots drops from 17 to 11.
www.statnews.com
January 5, 2026 at 7:07 PM
Federal health officials slash recommended childhood vaccinations under Trump’s directive www.statnews.com/2026/01/05/c...
Reposted by Jason Mast
All ten parts of our series attempting to put our arms around the ramifications of various cuts and disruptions to the scientific enterprise this year are live, and you can read them here:
www.statnews.com/american-sci...
www.statnews.com/american-sci...
American Science, Shattered
An eight-decade partnership between universities and the federal government made U.S. science preeminent. It took Trump less than a year to shred that
www.statnews.com
December 22, 2025 at 6:04 PM
All ten parts of our series attempting to put our arms around the ramifications of various cuts and disruptions to the scientific enterprise this year are live, and you can read them here:
www.statnews.com/american-sci...
www.statnews.com/american-sci...
Reposted by Jason Mast
Welcome back to the @statnews.com “3 To Watch” series where instead of closing the year with a review of the past, we focus on what's ahead. First up: 3 key issues to watch at FDA as Makary struggles to stabilize the agency. Vaccine policy is #2 💉via @lizzylawrence.bsky.social
3 key issues to watch at FDA as Makary struggles to stabilize the agency
3 key issues to watch at FDA as Makary struggles to stabilize the agency
www.statnews.com
December 22, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Welcome back to the @statnews.com “3 To Watch” series where instead of closing the year with a review of the past, we focus on what's ahead. First up: 3 key issues to watch at FDA as Makary struggles to stabilize the agency. Vaccine policy is #2 💉via @lizzylawrence.bsky.social
Reposted by Jason Mast
NEW: How the FDA’s Lax Generic Drug Rules Put Her Life at Risk
Fighting for Breath: The FDA’s Lax Generic Drug Rules Put Her Life at Risk
Lung transplant patient Hannah Goetz’s life depended on the generic version of the critical drug tacrolimus. It was supposed to be equivalent to the brand-name medication — but the FDA doesn’t always ...
www.propublica.org
December 19, 2025 at 12:54 PM
NEW: How the FDA’s Lax Generic Drug Rules Put Her Life at Risk
Reposted by Jason Mast
W/ @helenbranswell.bsky.social: The CDC has awarded $1.6 million to controversial Danish researchers with ties to top Food and Drug Administration official Tracy Beth Høeg. The funding is for a study on hepatitis B vaccines that some experts say may be unethical. www.statnews.com/2025/12/18/c...
CDC awards grant to controversial Danish researchers with ties to top FDA official
CDC awards grant to controversial Danish researchers with ties to top FDA official Tracy Beth Høeg.
www.statnews.com
December 18, 2025 at 11:11 PM
W/ @helenbranswell.bsky.social: The CDC has awarded $1.6 million to controversial Danish researchers with ties to top Food and Drug Administration official Tracy Beth Høeg. The funding is for a study on hepatitis B vaccines that some experts say may be unethical. www.statnews.com/2025/12/18/c...
Reposted by Jason Mast
We updated this story with some insights from lawyers and policy experts on whether or not CMS has the legal authority to do this, what challenges to the rules may look like, and when those challenges can happen. Take a read:
December 18, 2025 at 8:35 PM
We updated this story with some insights from lawyers and policy experts on whether or not CMS has the legal authority to do this, what challenges to the rules may look like, and when those challenges can happen. Take a read:
Reposted by Jason Mast
Article about scientists leaving (or not leaving) the US - including me!
I landed in a truly great spot - but what's happening in the US is messed up.
@isemevol.bsky.social @sfstatebio.bsky.social @umontpellier.bsky.social
I landed in a truly great spot - but what's happening in the US is messed up.
@isemevol.bsky.social @sfstatebio.bsky.social @umontpellier.bsky.social
Amid talk of a brain drain, some scientists leave U.S. behind www.statnews.com/2025/12/17/r...
Amid talk of a brain drain, some scientists leave U.S. behind
“A large part of what we loved about the United States is no longer there”: Amid talk of a brain drain, some scientists leave the U.S. behind.
www.statnews.com
December 17, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Article about scientists leaving (or not leaving) the US - including me!
I landed in a truly great spot - but what's happening in the US is messed up.
@isemevol.bsky.social @sfstatebio.bsky.social @umontpellier.bsky.social
I landed in a truly great spot - but what's happening in the US is messed up.
@isemevol.bsky.social @sfstatebio.bsky.social @umontpellier.bsky.social
Amid talk of a brain drain, some scientists leave U.S. behind www.statnews.com/2025/12/17/r...
Amid talk of a brain drain, some scientists leave U.S. behind
“A large part of what we loved about the United States is no longer there”: Amid talk of a brain drain, some scientists leave the U.S. behind.
www.statnews.com
December 17, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Amid talk of a brain drain, some scientists leave U.S. behind www.statnews.com/2025/12/17/r...
Reposted by Jason Mast
A @statnews.com investigation reveals Humana is skewing the debate over how to care for older Americans.
www.statnews.com/2025/12/16/i...
www.statnews.com/2025/12/16/i...
Data on Humana’s clinics looked dismal. Then its corporate research machine got to work
STAT investigation: Internal documents show how Humana is reshaping the debate over Medicare Advantage.
www.statnews.com
December 16, 2025 at 1:04 PM
A @statnews.com investigation reveals Humana is skewing the debate over how to care for older Americans.
www.statnews.com/2025/12/16/i...
www.statnews.com/2025/12/16/i...
A child’s sudden death unnerves a promising area of gene therapy research
www.statnews.com/2025/12/15/g...
www.statnews.com/2025/12/15/g...
Child’s sudden death unnerves a promising area of gene therapy research
Researchers hoped they had finally found a way to get gene therapies past the blood-brain barrier. Then the first patient died.
www.statnews.com
December 15, 2025 at 4:43 PM
A child’s sudden death unnerves a promising area of gene therapy research
www.statnews.com/2025/12/15/g...
www.statnews.com/2025/12/15/g...
Early-career trans researchers reconsider their futures amid lost funding and fear
Part 6 in STAT's American Science, Shattered series, looking at what the Trump Administration has done to science and health in 11 months
www.statnews.com/2025/12/09/h...
Part 6 in STAT's American Science, Shattered series, looking at what the Trump Administration has done to science and health in 11 months
www.statnews.com/2025/12/09/h...
Early-career trans researchers reconsider their futures amid lost funding and fear
The chaos created by the freezing and termination of billions of dollars of research grants has left trans academics especially vulnerable.
www.statnews.com
December 10, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Early-career trans researchers reconsider their futures amid lost funding and fear
Part 6 in STAT's American Science, Shattered series, looking at what the Trump Administration has done to science and health in 11 months
www.statnews.com/2025/12/09/h...
Part 6 in STAT's American Science, Shattered series, looking at what the Trump Administration has done to science and health in 11 months
www.statnews.com/2025/12/09/h...
Dyne $DYN plans to file for approval for next-generation Duchenne drug
Infusion could be a more effective version of controversial Sarepta drug Exondys
www.statnews.com/2025/12/08/d...
Infusion could be a more effective version of controversial Sarepta drug Exondys
www.statnews.com/2025/12/08/d...
Dyne Therapeutics plans to file for approval for next-generation Duchenne drug
Dyne Therapeutics plans to submit its next-gen Duchenne muscular dystrophy drug to the FDA after a successful trial.
www.statnews.com
December 8, 2025 at 11:43 AM
Dyne $DYN plans to file for approval for next-generation Duchenne drug
Infusion could be a more effective version of controversial Sarepta drug Exondys
www.statnews.com/2025/12/08/d...
Infusion could be a more effective version of controversial Sarepta drug Exondys
www.statnews.com/2025/12/08/d...
"Trump has ‘shaken the hell’ out of the 80-year research pact between the government and universities. What now?"
The first in a remarkable series looking at what the Trump Administration has done to American science and health over 11 months
www.statnews.com/2025/12/04/a...
The first in a remarkable series looking at what the Trump Administration has done to American science and health over 11 months
www.statnews.com/2025/12/04/a...
Trump has ‘shaken the hell’ out of the 80-year research pact between the government and universities. What now?
Trump has "shaken the hell" out of the 80-year research pact between the government and universities. What now?
www.statnews.com
December 4, 2025 at 1:40 PM
"Trump has ‘shaken the hell’ out of the 80-year research pact between the government and universities. What now?"
The first in a remarkable series looking at what the Trump Administration has done to American science and health over 11 months
www.statnews.com/2025/12/04/a...
The first in a remarkable series looking at what the Trump Administration has done to American science and health over 11 months
www.statnews.com/2025/12/04/a...
Top drug regulator Richard Pazdur set to leave FDA www.statnews.com/2025/12/02/r... via @statnews.com
Top drug regulator Richard Pazdur set to leave FDA
Top drug regulator Richard Pazdur filed papers to retire from the Food and Drug Administration at the end of this month, but could withdraw them.
www.statnews.com
December 2, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Top drug regulator Richard Pazdur set to leave FDA www.statnews.com/2025/12/02/r... via @statnews.com
Reposted by Jason Mast
The latest chapter in the ongoing saga around reasonable accommodations at the CDC: HHS has a new policy that permits telework for people with disabilities — but CDC officials still plan to cancel existing agreements and force people back into the office
www.statnews.com/2025/12/02/c...
www.statnews.com/2025/12/02/c...
CDC staff with disabilities feel stranded as HHS implements new policy
CDC is asking employees seeking telework as a reasonable accommodation to return to the office until their requests can be processed under a new HHS policy.
www.statnews.com
December 2, 2025 at 1:41 PM
The latest chapter in the ongoing saga around reasonable accommodations at the CDC: HHS has a new policy that permits telework for people with disabilities — but CDC officials still plan to cancel existing agreements and force people back into the office
www.statnews.com/2025/12/02/c...
www.statnews.com/2025/12/02/c...
Reposted by Jason Mast
New York Times article on science funding with some depressing but familiar curves with interactive graphics.
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
The U.S. Is Funding Fewer Grants in Every Area of Science and Medicine (Gift Article)
A quiet policy change means the government is making fewer bets on long-term science.
www.nytimes.com
December 2, 2025 at 11:57 AM
New York Times article on science funding with some depressing but familiar curves with interactive graphics.
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...