Max Bayer
@maxbayer.bsky.social
Pharma reporter at Endpoints News | Past: Fierce Biotech and CBS News | mbayer@endpointsnews.com or maxbayer.10 on Signal. he/him
ACIP Day 1 is off and running. Before that gets in the weeds, check out my story from yesterday on the patchwork effort by states, coalitions and clinician groups to fill the void left by the CDC on vaccine guidance and outreach. endpoints.news/a-patchwork-...
As the fall vaccination season begins, a patchwork effort fills void left by CDC
The CDC is usually the one to lead the way on making sure Americans are up to date on their vaccines. But funding cuts, political turmoil and concerns about scientific independence within the nation’s...
endpoints.news
September 18, 2025 at 2:26 PM
ACIP Day 1 is off and running. Before that gets in the weeds, check out my story from yesterday on the patchwork effort by states, coalitions and clinician groups to fill the void left by the CDC on vaccine guidance and outreach. endpoints.news/a-patchwork-...
Scoop: Covid-19 vaccine makers have been sidelined ahead of this week's ACIP meeting. Working group members have not asked companies to produce any data, though Pfizer had a call with members last week, per one source. For @endpts.com: endpoints.news/covid-19-vac...
Covid-19 vaccine makers sidelined ahead of upcoming ACIP meeting, sources say
Covid-19 shot makers have not been working closely with the CDC’s vaccine advisors and aren’t expected to make substantive presentations to the panel when it convenes later this week, multiple sources...
endpoints.news
September 15, 2025 at 9:55 PM
Scoop: Covid-19 vaccine makers have been sidelined ahead of this week's ACIP meeting. Working group members have not asked companies to produce any data, though Pfizer had a call with members last week, per one source. For @endpts.com: endpoints.news/covid-19-vac...
Reposted by Max Bayer
some of you need to make like travis kelce and engage with a tailor swiftly
August 27, 2025 at 1:00 AM
some of you need to make like travis kelce and engage with a tailor swiftly
A 26-year-old collaboration between the government and top research centers to advance new pediatric brain cancer treatments is being wound down, an HHS spokesperson confirmed to @endpts.com. Money is being redirected to another childhood cancer funding channel. endpoints.news/hhs-winds-do...
HHS winds down pediatric brain tumor pact after 26 years, prioritizing other childhood cancer work
The National Cancer Institute said it will stop funding a 26-year-old collaboration with academic centers to help accelerate new pediatric brain tumor treatments.
endpoints.news
August 25, 2025 at 8:16 PM
A 26-year-old collaboration between the government and top research centers to advance new pediatric brain cancer treatments is being wound down, an HHS spokesperson confirmed to @endpts.com. Money is being redirected to another childhood cancer funding channel. endpoints.news/hhs-winds-do...
Reposted by Max Bayer
HHS says ‘the science speaks for itself’ on mRNA cuts. Scientists it cites disagree
Good piece from @maxbayer.bsky.social
endpoints.news/researchers-...
Good piece from @maxbayer.bsky.social
endpoints.news/researchers-...
HHS says ‘the science speaks for itself’ on mRNA cuts. Some of the scientists it cites disagree
Some of the studies that underpin the Trump administration’s decision to veer away from mRNA vaccine research are being misapplied, co-authors of the work say, muddling the move by HHS and Secretary R...
endpoints.news
August 20, 2025 at 4:55 PM
HHS says ‘the science speaks for itself’ on mRNA cuts. Scientists it cites disagree
Good piece from @maxbayer.bsky.social
endpoints.news/researchers-...
Good piece from @maxbayer.bsky.social
endpoints.news/researchers-...
HHS says that "the science speaks for itself" on the decision to retreat from mRNA vaccine research. But some of the scientists disagree. A team at @endpts.com reached out to co-authors behind 100+ studies cited by HHS and here's what we heard:
endpoints.news/researchers-...
endpoints.news/researchers-...
HHS says ‘the science speaks for itself’ on mRNA cuts. Some of the scientists disagree
Some of the studies that underpin the Trump administration’s decision to veer away from mRNA vaccine research are being misapplied, co-authors of the work say, muddling the move by HHS and Secretary R...
endpoints.news
August 19, 2025 at 5:48 PM
HHS says that "the science speaks for itself" on the decision to retreat from mRNA vaccine research. But some of the scientists disagree. A team at @endpts.com reached out to co-authors behind 100+ studies cited by HHS and here's what we heard:
endpoints.news/researchers-...
endpoints.news/researchers-...
Scoop: An HHS official tasked with implementing MAHA's agenda was fired following BARDA's decision to cut 22 mRNA contracts. For @endpts.com: endpoints.news/hhs-official...
HHS official tasked with MAHA relations fired following mRNA cuts
Gray Delany, head of MAHA implementation at HHS, has been fired from his government role, according to a source familiar with the decision.
endpoints.news
August 8, 2025 at 6:17 PM
Scoop: An HHS official tasked with implementing MAHA's agenda was fired following BARDA's decision to cut 22 mRNA contracts. For @endpts.com: endpoints.news/hhs-official...
The first bit of detail I've seen on the cost of these Phase 4 studies strongly recommended by the FDA to Covid-19 vaccine makers. endpoints.news/novavax-expe...
Novavax expects post-marketing Covid study to cost up to $90M
Novavax says conducting a post-marketing study for its Covid-19 vaccine will cost between $70 million and $90 million, following the FDA's more stringent approval framework that strongly advised the c...
endpoints.news
August 6, 2025 at 6:17 PM
The first bit of detail I've seen on the cost of these Phase 4 studies strongly recommended by the FDA to Covid-19 vaccine makers. endpoints.news/novavax-expe...
Reposted by Max Bayer
FDA staff were overruled again by Vinay Prasad, who limited Moderna’s Covid vaccine to high-risk children under 12, arguing that healthy kids wouldn’t see sufficient clinical benefit.
Prasad again overrode FDA vaccine reviewers, this time on Moderna’s Covid shot for young kids
CBER chief Prasad overrides reviewers, approves Moderna's Covid shot only for at-risk kids 6mo-11yrs, marking his third override of review team recommendations.
endpoints.news
July 15, 2025 at 6:54 PM
FDA staff were overruled again by Vinay Prasad, who limited Moderna’s Covid vaccine to high-risk children under 12, arguing that healthy kids wouldn’t see sufficient clinical benefit.
Vinay Prasad overrode Covid vaccine reviewers for a third time when he approved Moderna's Covid vaccine for at-risk young kids. The company had applied for approval for all kids 6 months to 11 years old, though its unclear what exactly reviewers decided. endpoints.news/prasad-overr...
Prasad again overrode FDA vaccine reviewers, this time on Moderna’s Covid shot for young kids
CBER chief Prasad overrides reviewers, approves Moderna's Covid shot only for at-risk kids 6mo-11yrs, marking his third override of review team recommendations.
endpoints.news
July 15, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Vinay Prasad overrode Covid vaccine reviewers for a third time when he approved Moderna's Covid vaccine for at-risk young kids. The company had applied for approval for all kids 6 months to 11 years old, though its unclear what exactly reviewers decided. endpoints.news/prasad-overr...
Reposted by Max Bayer
About 1 in 3 young people who are 12 to 17 years old have prediabetes, new national data show.
www.statnews.com/2025/07/09/p...
www.statnews.com/2025/07/09/p...
Nearly 1 in 3 teens have prediabetes, CDC finds, in ‘wake-up call’
Nearly 1 in 3 American adolescents have prediabetes, a CDC report finds. An official notes "it’s not too late to change course."
www.statnews.com
July 10, 2025 at 7:08 PM
About 1 in 3 young people who are 12 to 17 years old have prediabetes, new national data show.
www.statnews.com/2025/07/09/p...
www.statnews.com/2025/07/09/p...
Breaking: HHS Sec. Kennedy has adopted ACIP recommendations made in April, including for RSV vaccines. The recommendation for RSV expanded their use to at-risk 50-59 year olds. Updated meningococcal rec also adopted. www.cdc.gov/acip/vaccine...
ACIP Recommendations
ACIP approved the following recommendations by majority vote and were adopted by the CDC Director.
www.cdc.gov
July 2, 2025 at 3:37 PM
Breaking: HHS Sec. Kennedy has adopted ACIP recommendations made in April, including for RSV vaccines. The recommendation for RSV expanded their use to at-risk 50-59 year olds. Updated meningococcal rec also adopted. www.cdc.gov/acip/vaccine...
Without even addressing the merits of that goal, why does disconnecting from left-wing groups mean tying yourself to right-wing messaging? Regardless of whether it's meant to be ironic, the people behind this are implicitly conceding that Project 2025 as a package was good communication strategy.
Put another way: Project 2025 let right-wing legal groups sketch out the agenda for a new GOP DOJ.
Do you think "Project 2029" will hand the DOJ section to the ACLU? No. The opposite. It's about getting a Dem message disconnected from left-wing groups.
Do you think "Project 2029" will hand the DOJ section to the ACLU? No. The opposite. It's about getting a Dem message disconnected from left-wing groups.
The use of "Project 2029" here is ironic, on purpose. Project 2025 was politically damaging bc it spelled out how a president could use executive orders/hirings/firings to achieve unpopular* goals. Neera et al want a compilation of popular ideas. www.nytimes.com/2025/06/30/u...
*and some popular
*and some popular
June 30, 2025 at 8:24 PM
Without even addressing the merits of that goal, why does disconnecting from left-wing groups mean tying yourself to right-wing messaging? Regardless of whether it's meant to be ironic, the people behind this are implicitly conceding that Project 2025 as a package was good communication strategy.
The FDA uploaded a number of new documents earlier this month involving Novavax's Covid-19 approval. New CBER chief Vinay Prasad wrote in a decisional memo that the harms of Covid vaccination may outweigh the benefits in "low-risk populations." endpoints.news/cber-chief-p...
CBER chief Prasad suggests Covid vaccine harms may outweigh benefits in 'low-risk populations'
CBER director Vinay Prasad says the benefits of Covid-19 vaccination have depreciated and may no longer outweigh the risks in adults who aren’t prone to more severe illness.
endpoints.news
June 30, 2025 at 5:35 PM
The FDA uploaded a number of new documents earlier this month involving Novavax's Covid-19 approval. New CBER chief Vinay Prasad wrote in a decisional memo that the harms of Covid vaccination may outweigh the benefits in "low-risk populations." endpoints.news/cber-chief-p...
ACIP voted to remove thimerosal from all flu vaccines, following a contentious debate between the rebuilt panel and clinicians.
The sole former ACIP member on the new panel, Dr. Cody Meissner, was the only "no" vote. Our @endpts.com story: endpoints.news/cdc-vaccine-...
The sole former ACIP member on the new panel, Dr. Cody Meissner, was the only "no" vote. Our @endpts.com story: endpoints.news/cdc-vaccine-...
Debate on a long-scrutinized vaccine ingredient consumes CDC panel in its second day
Clinicians and infectious disease specialists clashed with the majority of the CDC’s remade vaccine advisory committee on Thursday, arguing that the panel’s debate over an ingredient in a small number...
endpoints.news
June 26, 2025 at 6:40 PM
ACIP voted to remove thimerosal from all flu vaccines, following a contentious debate between the rebuilt panel and clinicians.
The sole former ACIP member on the new panel, Dr. Cody Meissner, was the only "no" vote. Our @endpts.com story: endpoints.news/cdc-vaccine-...
The sole former ACIP member on the new panel, Dr. Cody Meissner, was the only "no" vote. Our @endpts.com story: endpoints.news/cdc-vaccine-...
Our @endpts.com preview story ahead of this week's ACIP meeting. Politics and science are on a collision course, with the nation's vaccine guidance hanging in the balance. endpoints.news/politics-col...
The politics of vaccination take center stage as RFK Jr.’s rebuilt CDC panel is set to meet
A newly rebuilt CDC vaccine advisory panel will meet for the first time this week, informing whether America's public health agency will continue to back data and evidence that have long guided its im...
endpoints.news
June 23, 2025 at 9:33 PM
Our @endpts.com preview story ahead of this week's ACIP meeting. Politics and science are on a collision course, with the nation's vaccine guidance hanging in the balance. endpoints.news/politics-col...
punches
As the Red Sox and Yankees play another three-game set at Fenway Park this weekend, there is temptation to declare the rivalry dead.
It’s been two decades since it was once heated. What would it take for baseball’s greatest rivalry to boil over like that again?
🔗: http://dlvr.it/TLL8yz
It’s been two decades since it was once heated. What would it take for baseball’s greatest rivalry to boil over like that again?
🔗: http://dlvr.it/TLL8yz
June 13, 2025 at 3:07 PM
punches
A remarkable few hours. Every ACIP member has been terminated. Many weren't notified before RFK's op-ed. Some are now receiving a succinct notice from CDC. Our @endpts.com story: endpoints.news/trump-admini...
Updated: HHS chief Kennedy removes all ACIP members, dismantling vaccine board
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced the move in a Wall Street Journal op-ed, citing conflict of interest concerns.
endpoints.news
June 9, 2025 at 11:12 PM
A remarkable few hours. Every ACIP member has been terminated. Many weren't notified before RFK's op-ed. Some are now receiving a succinct notice from CDC. Our @endpts.com story: endpoints.news/trump-admini...
We are a crossroads. CDC immunization schedule lists a shared clinical decision-making recommendation for healthy kids. But HHS reiterates in a statement to me that recommendations have been removed for that group and pregnant women.
May 30, 2025 at 4:06 PM
We are a crossroads. CDC immunization schedule lists a shared clinical decision-making recommendation for healthy kids. But HHS reiterates in a statement to me that recommendations have been removed for that group and pregnant women.
Had the opportunity to chat with former senator Kyrsten Sinema about psychedelics and ibogaine. Really interesting to hear what's galvanized her and why she's specifically backing this drug. endpts.com/former-sen-k...
Q&A: Why former Sen. Kyrsten Sinema is backing a psychedelic medicine with potentially more upside, but more risk
Sinema has backed a bill advancing in the Arizona legislature that would include a $5 million grant to a neurological institute to conduct a clinical study into ibogaine.
endpts.com
May 30, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Had the opportunity to chat with former senator Kyrsten Sinema about psychedelics and ibogaine. Really interesting to hear what's galvanized her and why she's specifically backing this drug. endpts.com/former-sen-k...
Reposted by Max Bayer
⚡ BREAKING: Summit says PD-1xVEGF bispecific ivonsecimab misses overall survival in closely-watched lung cancer study $SMMT
endpts.com/summit-says-...
endpts.com/summit-says-...
Summit says bispecific misses overall survival in closely-watched lung cancer study
Summit Therapeutics' ivonescimab shows 48% PFS benefit but misses OS endpoint in Phase 3 lung cancer trial; drug's regulatory future unclear after mixed EGFR+ NSCLC results.
endpts.com
May 30, 2025 at 10:44 AM
⚡ BREAKING: Summit says PD-1xVEGF bispecific ivonsecimab misses overall survival in closely-watched lung cancer study $SMMT
endpts.com/summit-says-...
endpts.com/summit-says-...
Reposted by Max Bayer
The NOTUS reporters said they spent five days (!) going through the 522 citations in the report.
May 29, 2025 at 4:05 PM
The NOTUS reporters said they spent five days (!) going through the 522 citations in the report.
Moderna's response to HHS saying that mRNA technology "remains under-tested" after axing funding for a bird flu vaccine:
"Results during the pandemic speak for themselves, including demonstrated efficacy and a safety profile established in over a billion people worldwide."
"Results during the pandemic speak for themselves, including demonstrated efficacy and a safety profile established in over a billion people worldwide."
May 29, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Moderna's response to HHS saying that mRNA technology "remains under-tested" after axing funding for a bird flu vaccine:
"Results during the pandemic speak for themselves, including demonstrated efficacy and a safety profile established in over a billion people worldwide."
"Results during the pandemic speak for themselves, including demonstrated efficacy and a safety profile established in over a billion people worldwide."
Will Moderna's next-gen Covid vaccine be approved? I don't know! It very well might fit within the framework the FDA just put out. It's also technically the first "new" Covid vaccine in front of the FDA. I previewed the decision for @endpts.com. endpts.com/will-the-fda...
The fate of Moderna’s next-gen Covid shot looms large after a flurry of policy changes
The US’ stance on Covid-19 vaccines under HHS chief Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is coming into focus with a new approval framework, new immunization guidance and, more broadly, a new attitude about the vacc...
endpts.com
May 28, 2025 at 7:35 PM
Will Moderna's next-gen Covid vaccine be approved? I don't know! It very well might fit within the framework the FDA just put out. It's also technically the first "new" Covid vaccine in front of the FDA. I previewed the decision for @endpts.com. endpts.com/will-the-fda...
At the risk of sounding too horse race-y, Lykos' pain last year was Compass' gain in the race for the first FDA approved #psychedelic. My colleague Ayisha Sharma has a deeply reported story on the new frontrunner, and how commercial preparations are already underway.
endpts.com/a-new-dawn-f...
endpts.com/a-new-dawn-f...
A new dawn for psychedelics? Compass could be the first to find out
Compass awaits Phase 3 COMP360 trial results for treatment-resistant depression amid renewed optimism for psychedelics.
endpts.com
May 28, 2025 at 3:34 PM
At the risk of sounding too horse race-y, Lykos' pain last year was Compass' gain in the race for the first FDA approved #psychedelic. My colleague Ayisha Sharma has a deeply reported story on the new frontrunner, and how commercial preparations are already underway.
endpts.com/a-new-dawn-f...
endpts.com/a-new-dawn-f...