Jason Mast
@jasonmast.bsky.social
Covering science, medicine & business for STAT
Reach out on Signal: JasonMast.05
Reach out on Signal: JasonMast.05
Reposted by Jason Mast
It's a terrible idea to hire Captain Ahab! He's clearly nuts!
November 11, 2025 at 2:21 AM
It's a terrible idea to hire Captain Ahab! He's clearly nuts!
Reposted by Jason Mast
Reposted by Jason Mast
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 Jason Mast
Microdosing GLP-1 drugs? Right now, there's no robust clinical evidence doing so provides benefits.
Benefits for the companies *selling* the treatments, however, are definitely confirmed.
Via @katiepalmer.bsky.social
www.statnews.com/2025/11/04/m...
Benefits for the companies *selling* the treatments, however, are definitely confirmed.
Via @katiepalmer.bsky.social
www.statnews.com/2025/11/04/m...
Microdosing aims to extend the lifespan of the GLP-1 compounding market
Despite no strong evidence of clinical benefit, microdosing GLP-1s will likely continue as a strategy for some to profit off of the popular drug class.
www.statnews.com
November 4, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Microdosing GLP-1 drugs? Right now, there's no robust clinical evidence doing so provides benefits.
Benefits for the companies *selling* the treatments, however, are definitely confirmed.
Via @katiepalmer.bsky.social
www.statnews.com/2025/11/04/m...
Benefits for the companies *selling* the treatments, however, are definitely confirmed.
Via @katiepalmer.bsky.social
www.statnews.com/2025/11/04/m...
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 10:04 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...
Reposted by Jason Mast
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...
Reposted by Jason Mast
2. Also please read @lizzylawrence.bsky.social's piece on the impact Vinay Prasad is having on #FDA's vaccines division, where between Prasad pushing leaders out and people heading for the exits, there are concerns about #CBER's capacity to function. www.statnews.com/2025/10/31/v...
Under Vinay Prasad, employees at a key FDA center fear speaking out, look for the exits
Exclusive: Vinay Prasad has rattled FDA staff by expanding his power and pushing out senior leaders.
www.statnews.com
October 31, 2025 at 7:42 PM
2. Also please read @lizzylawrence.bsky.social's piece on the impact Vinay Prasad is having on #FDA's vaccines division, where between Prasad pushing leaders out and people heading for the exits, there are concerns about #CBER's capacity to function. www.statnews.com/2025/10/31/v...
Reposted by Jason Mast
1. Looking for weekend reads? Can't do better than these by my uber-talented @statnews.com colleagues @jasonmast.bsky.social & @lizzylawrence.bsky.social.
First, Jason's indepth look at #Moderna's transition from pandemic savior to company with significant problems. www.statnews.com/2025/10/30/m...
First, Jason's indepth look at #Moderna's transition from pandemic savior to company with significant problems. www.statnews.com/2025/10/30/m...
How Moderna, the company that helped save the world, unraveled
Exclusive: The inside story of why Moderna now faces a crisis unlike any in its 15-year-history.
www.statnews.com
October 31, 2025 at 7:42 PM
1. Looking for weekend reads? Can't do better than these by my uber-talented @statnews.com colleagues @jasonmast.bsky.social & @lizzylawrence.bsky.social.
First, Jason's indepth look at #Moderna's transition from pandemic savior to company with significant problems. www.statnews.com/2025/10/30/m...
First, Jason's indepth look at #Moderna's transition from pandemic savior to company with significant problems. www.statnews.com/2025/10/30/m...
Yesterday, we published a lengthy look at Moderna's post-Covid fall, from one of the most valued companies in the world to to a biotech facing serious questions about its longterm future
It's a story of hubris, the limits of mRNA technology, and, of course, RFK Jr
www.statnews.com/2025/10/30/m...
It's a story of hubris, the limits of mRNA technology, and, of course, RFK Jr
www.statnews.com/2025/10/30/m...
How Moderna, the company that helped save the world, unraveled
Exclusive: The inside story of why Moderna now faces a crisis unlike any in its 15-year-history.
www.statnews.com
October 31, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Yesterday, we published a lengthy look at Moderna's post-Covid fall, from one of the most valued companies in the world to to a biotech facing serious questions about its longterm future
It's a story of hubris, the limits of mRNA technology, and, of course, RFK Jr
www.statnews.com/2025/10/30/m...
It's a story of hubris, the limits of mRNA technology, and, of course, RFK Jr
www.statnews.com/2025/10/30/m...
Reposted by Jason Mast
Our first session of the day: A Milestone for Gene Editing
@jasonmast.bsky.social talks with Kyle and Nicole Muldoon, Rebecca Ahrens-Nicklas, and Kiran Musunuru about how CRISPR was used to correct a misspelling in KJ Muldoon genes when he was just 6 months old.
#STATSummit
@jasonmast.bsky.social talks with Kyle and Nicole Muldoon, Rebecca Ahrens-Nicklas, and Kiran Musunuru about how CRISPR was used to correct a misspelling in KJ Muldoon genes when he was just 6 months old.
#STATSummit
October 15, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Our first session of the day: A Milestone for Gene Editing
@jasonmast.bsky.social talks with Kyle and Nicole Muldoon, Rebecca Ahrens-Nicklas, and Kiran Musunuru about how CRISPR was used to correct a misspelling in KJ Muldoon genes when he was just 6 months old.
#STATSummit
@jasonmast.bsky.social talks with Kyle and Nicole Muldoon, Rebecca Ahrens-Nicklas, and Kiran Musunuru about how CRISPR was used to correct a misspelling in KJ Muldoon genes when he was just 6 months old.
#STATSummit
Reposted by Jason Mast
If you want to understand why he is a celebrity, read this piece by @jasonmast.bsky.social
www.statnews.com/2025/05/15/c...
www.statnews.com/2025/05/15/c...
CRISPR is used in landmark treatment to correct genetic misspelling of a single patient
In a world first, scientists used CRISPR to fix a baby's unique genetic mutation. The report offers hope for personalized treatments of rare diseases.
www.statnews.com
October 15, 2025 at 1:41 PM
If you want to understand why he is a celebrity, read this piece by @jasonmast.bsky.social
www.statnews.com/2025/05/15/c...
www.statnews.com/2025/05/15/c...
Parents of children with rare diseases ask: How long until our CRISPR miracle?
www.statnews.com/2025/10/09/c...
www.statnews.com/2025/10/09/c...
Parents of children with rare diseases ask: How long until our CRISPR miracle?
How to better manage expectations around gene editing drugs for families of children with rare diseases.
www.statnews.com
October 9, 2025 at 12:43 PM
Parents of children with rare diseases ask: How long until our CRISPR miracle?
www.statnews.com/2025/10/09/c...
www.statnews.com/2025/10/09/c...
HHS abruptly cancels CDC meeting with RFK Jr., anti-vaccine activist as scrutiny mounts www.statnews.com/2025/09/17/r... via @statnews.com
HHS abruptly cancels CDC meeting with RFK Jr., anti-vaccine activist as scrutiny mounts
HHS abruptly canceled a CDC meeting between RFK Jr. and anti-vaccine activist David Geier just hours before they were set to gather.
www.statnews.com
September 18, 2025 at 10:56 AM
HHS abruptly cancels CDC meeting with RFK Jr., anti-vaccine activist as scrutiny mounts www.statnews.com/2025/09/17/r... via @statnews.com
Reposted by Jason Mast
A hopeful thread! Some of my favs:
HIV treatment is better by leaps and bounds, and now 2x year injections can prevent people from contracting it! www.npr.org/sections/goa...
CRISPR has cured, CURED, sickle cell anemia in patients for at least a year! www.scientificamerican.com/article/fda-...
HIV treatment is better by leaps and bounds, and now 2x year injections can prevent people from contracting it! www.npr.org/sections/goa...
CRISPR has cured, CURED, sickle cell anemia in patients for at least a year! www.scientificamerican.com/article/fda-...
September 12, 2025 at 2:38 AM
A hopeful thread! Some of my favs:
HIV treatment is better by leaps and bounds, and now 2x year injections can prevent people from contracting it! www.npr.org/sections/goa...
CRISPR has cured, CURED, sickle cell anemia in patients for at least a year! www.scientificamerican.com/article/fda-...
HIV treatment is better by leaps and bounds, and now 2x year injections can prevent people from contracting it! www.npr.org/sections/goa...
CRISPR has cured, CURED, sickle cell anemia in patients for at least a year! www.scientificamerican.com/article/fda-...
Patrick Soon-Shiong has (still) not cured cancer
www.statnews.com/2025/09/11/s...
www.statnews.com/2025/09/11/s...
Piercing the hype around Patrick Soon-Shiong's 'Bioshield' cancer treatment
Why trial results presented earlier this week do not support the claim made by billionaire physician Patrick Soon-Shiong.
www.statnews.com
September 11, 2025 at 11:51 AM
Patrick Soon-Shiong has (still) not cured cancer
www.statnews.com/2025/09/11/s...
www.statnews.com/2025/09/11/s...
The first child treated with a new gene therapy designed to safely reach deep into the brain died just days after dosing
If tied to treatment, this would be the 5th death linked to gene therapy in the past year. Since 2019, there have been at least 13
www.statnews.com/2025/09/10/c...
If tied to treatment, this would be the 5th death linked to gene therapy in the past year. Since 2019, there have been at least 13
www.statnews.com/2025/09/10/c...
Child dies after receiving new experimental gene therapy
The first child to receive a new experimental gene therapy for a rare neurological disorder died a few days after dosing, the company sponsoring the trial said.
www.statnews.com
September 11, 2025 at 11:40 AM
The first child treated with a new gene therapy designed to safely reach deep into the brain died just days after dosing
If tied to treatment, this would be the 5th death linked to gene therapy in the past year. Since 2019, there have been at least 13
www.statnews.com/2025/09/10/c...
If tied to treatment, this would be the 5th death linked to gene therapy in the past year. Since 2019, there have been at least 13
www.statnews.com/2025/09/10/c...
Love this tracker from @isabellacueto.bsky.social and @jaspar.bsky.social chronicling all of RFK's promises on chronic disease and public and how much he's delivered — or not — on them
www.statnews.com/2025/09/10/r...
www.statnews.com/2025/09/10/r...
Tracking RFK Jr.’s promises to remake health in America
STAT introduces a goals and promises tracker for Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s Make America Healthy Again movement — successes, incompletes, and fails.
www.statnews.com
September 10, 2025 at 12:50 PM
Love this tracker from @isabellacueto.bsky.social and @jaspar.bsky.social chronicling all of RFK's promises on chronic disease and public and how much he's delivered — or not — on them
www.statnews.com/2025/09/10/r...
www.statnews.com/2025/09/10/r...
Big shakeups to the childhood vaccination schedule could be nearing
via @elaineywchen.bsky.social
www.statnews.com/2025/09/03/c...
via @elaineywchen.bsky.social
www.statnews.com/2025/09/03/c...
Big shakeups to the childhood vaccination schedule could be nearing
Big shakeups may be coming to the childhood vaccination schedule. Here's a look at some of the shots that could be subject to shifting U.S. recommendations.
www.statnews.com
September 3, 2025 at 12:25 PM
Big shakeups to the childhood vaccination schedule could be nearing
via @elaineywchen.bsky.social
www.statnews.com/2025/09/03/c...
via @elaineywchen.bsky.social
www.statnews.com/2025/09/03/c...
Reposted by Jason Mast
Wild to see a thread about me. I think the broader topic (as Jason points out) is what does the future of preventive medicines look like for at risk gene carriers? I also hope this gives people some hope to those dealing with devastating and (previously) unactionable inherited genetic diseases.
A 🧵: Last week, I wrote about Jeff Vierstra, who carries the gene for a devastating, rare form of ALS. The disease killed his mom and all three of her siblings, along with relatives dating back to the 1800s.
Then, in 2020, two of his sisters began showing symptoms.
Then, in 2020, two of his sisters began showing symptoms.
Did a drug prevent this man’s ALS?
Jeff Vierstra was likely doomed by his DNA. A radical experiment gave him a chance to rewrite his fate — before ALS symptoms ever began.
www.statnews.com
August 30, 2025 at 7:03 AM
Wild to see a thread about me. I think the broader topic (as Jason points out) is what does the future of preventive medicines look like for at risk gene carriers? I also hope this gives people some hope to those dealing with devastating and (previously) unactionable inherited genetic diseases.
Reposted by Jason Mast
Trump proposes to rescind AIDS funds. Congress rejects the proposal. So Trump and his henchman Russ Vought just refuse to spend the money and try to hide that decision from Congress and the public. www.nytimes.com/2025/08/21/h...
Trump Budget Office Is Withholding H.I.V. Funds That Congress Appropriated
www.nytimes.com
August 23, 2025 at 5:54 AM
Trump proposes to rescind AIDS funds. Congress rejects the proposal. So Trump and his henchman Russ Vought just refuse to spend the money and try to hide that decision from Congress and the public. www.nytimes.com/2025/08/21/h...
Trump executive order seeks to centralize control of grantmaking under political appointees www.statnews.com/2025/08/08/t... via @statnews.com
Trump executive order seeks to centralize control of grantmaking under political appointees
A sweeping new executive order seeks to transform how the federal government awards billions of dollars in research grants
www.statnews.com
August 8, 2025 at 9:36 PM
Trump executive order seeks to centralize control of grantmaking under political appointees www.statnews.com/2025/08/08/t... via @statnews.com
Rare disease patients have been caught in Trump crackdown on foreign grant awards
An important story from @mmolteni.bsky.social
www.statnews.com/2025/08/06/n...
An important story from @mmolteni.bsky.social
www.statnews.com/2025/08/06/n...
Rare disease patients caught in Trump crackdown on foreign grant awards
Rare disease research has been caught up in a Trump administration crackdown on NIH grants being used to support international collaborations
www.statnews.com
August 6, 2025 at 12:48 PM
Rare disease patients have been caught in Trump crackdown on foreign grant awards
An important story from @mmolteni.bsky.social
www.statnews.com/2025/08/06/n...
An important story from @mmolteni.bsky.social
www.statnews.com/2025/08/06/n...
Reposted by Jason Mast
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August 5, 2025 at 6:17 PM
Flagging a @statnews.com promo: 50% off annual subscriptions.
News subs can be pricey, but the team here works super hard to deliver value for the investment.
marketing.statnews.com/stat-plus-au...
Special rates also available for students, nonprofits, and others.
www.statnews.com/stat-plus/
News subs can be pricey, but the team here works super hard to deliver value for the investment.
marketing.statnews.com/stat-plus-au...
Special rates also available for students, nonprofits, and others.
www.statnews.com/stat-plus/