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Dan Samorodnitsky

Dan Samorodnitsky

News Editor

Dan Samorodnitsky is the news editor at BioSpace. He has a decade of experience covering biotech, genetics and medicine. Before coming to BioSpace he was an editor at Drug Discovery News and Massive Science, and his writing has appeared in outlets such as Quanta, STAT, GROW and many others. He is based in Minneapolis. You can reach him at dan.samorodnitsky@biospace.com.

Brain tumor medical poster. Cancer, metastasis or benign in the human head or in the nerves, pituitary gland, pineal gland, and membranes that cover the surface of the brain 3D vector illustration
Cancer
Jazz Is in the “Goldilocks Zone” With New Cancer Data at ASCO25
The medium-sized biopharma is showing off new results from dordaviprone and Zepzelca, both of which were acquired through Jazz Pharmaceuticals’ dealmaking over the last five years.
May 31, 2025
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3 min read
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Dan Samorodnitsky
Robert F Kennedy Jr speaking at the White House
Government
Court Halts HHS’ Reduction and Layoff Plans, Arguing a Lack of Authority
In an opinion issued late Thursday night, U.S. District Judge Susan Illston wrote that the president and department agency heads do not have the authority to reorganize the government without Congress’ input.
May 23, 2025
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2 min read
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Dan Samorodnitsky
Cambridge, USA - 16 August 2024. View of Moderna office entrance with logo sign, Biotechnology industry
Vaccines
Moderna Shares Fall as Combo Flu/COVID-19 Vaccine Application Pulled
After discussions with the FDA, Moderna has withdrawn its application for a combination shot, which had demonstrated efficacy in eliciting antibodies in data announced earlier this month.
May 21, 2025
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2 min read
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Dan Samorodnitsky
Podcast
Pfizer’s $6B China Deal, Drug Pricing and FDA’s New COVID Vaccine Plan
China continues to be a source of innovation as Pfizer strikes biggest pact yet; HHS provides more info on Trump’s Most Favored Nation executive order; FDA Commissioner Marty Makary and CBER director Vinay Prasad reveal new COVID-19 vaccine strategy following Novavax approval; ODAC underway after chaotic planning; more.
May 21, 2025
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2 min read
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Heather McKenzie
Abstract colorful DNA helix held by two hands, symbolizing genetics, biology, and advancements in medical research. Conceptual art design. Concept of medicine, treatment, health care, medical science
Rare diseases
CRISPR Success in Single Baby Highlights Rare Disease ‘Crisis’
Most of the 15 million children with a rare disease have no FDA-approved treatments available to them. And when it comes to the most-rare conditions, there isn’t even a pipeline.
May 20, 2025
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3 min read
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Dan Samorodnitsky
3d rendering of a red and silver realistic model of a retro rocket stands crashed into a wooden desk on a blue background. Failed launch. Technological progress. Technical mistake.
Rare diseases
Applied Therapeutics’ Rare Disease Treatment Flunks in Late-Stage Trial
Govorestat failed to meet its primary endpoint in a Phase II/III trial for a rare form of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, a few months after the FDA rebuffed the same drug in a similar indication.
May 19, 2025
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2 min read
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Dan Samorodnitsky
Close the deal by shaking hands. Art collage. Orange circle in the center.
Obesity
Novo Doubles Down on Oral Obesity Meds With Septerna Deal Worth up to $2.4B
Currently trailing Eli Lilly and Structure Therapeutics in the oral weight loss space, Novo Nordisk strikes a deal with Septerna to put new discovery-stage programs into play.
May 14, 2025
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2 min read
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Dan Samorodnitsky
Podcast
Trump’s Drug Pricing Policy, Prasad’s CBER Nod, Bayer’s Layoffs and Galapagos’ Next Chapter
President Donald Trump unwrapped a massive drug pricing policy as CMS prepares for the next round of Medicare drug price negotiations; Vinay Prasad to take the helm at the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research; Bayer cuts 2,000 more employees; Eli Lilly’s Zepbound scores again; and the Galapagos story turns again.
May 14, 2025
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2 min read
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Heather McKenzie
Contemporary art collage. Businessman standing under heavy pressure. Working conditions. Concept of struggle, failure, success, competition, motivation, concentration, crisis, fear Copy space for ad
Cell therapy
Vor Bio Looks for Exit in Challenging Funding Environment; Lays Off 95% of Staff
The cell engineering company, co-founded by oncologist and writer Siddhartha Mukherjee, does not see a path forward for its pipeline of early-stage cell therapies for two different types of cancer.
May 8, 2025
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1 min read
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Dan Samorodnitsky
FDA
Vinay Prasad’s FDA Appointment ‘Anything but Status Quo’
The UCSF professor and frequent YouTube poster has criticized COVID-19 vaccine mandates as well as the accelerated approval pathway and other FDA practices. Predictions of what his tenure might achieve are scattershot.
May 8, 2025
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4 min read
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Dan Samorodnitsky
Podcast
Trump’s US Manufacturing Push, New Vaccine Policy, Novo’s Weight Loss Pill up for FDA Review
A new executive order aims to smooth the path for getting U.S. manufacturing facilities up and running; HHS says it will require placebo-controlled trials for all vaccine approvals; tariff threats hit BioNTech; Novo Nordisk’s FDA application for an oral version of Wegovy is accepted; and more.
May 7, 2025
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1 min read
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Heather McKenzie
Brain with pills, Alzheimer awareness day, dementia diagnosis, Parkinson disease, memory loss disorder, damaged mind
Huntington’s disease
PTC Nosedives Despite Claiming Phase II Win for Huntington’s Hopeful
The biotech’s Huntingtin-targeting molecule lowered blood levels of the protein and elicited functional improvements in earlier-stage patients, but results were not as robust in other biomarkers or with patients at later stages of the disease.
May 5, 2025
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2 min read
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Dan Samorodnitsky
Contemporary art collage of hand holding an arrow showing fall. Modern design. Copy space.
Earnings
Moderna Misses Q1 Revenue Expectations, Plans Another $1.5B in Cuts
Jefferies analysts said Moderna’s first quarter was “in line,” with a miss on revenue offset by a beat on earnings per share.
May 1, 2025
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3 min read
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Annalee Armstrong
Podcast
Tariffs Continue to Dominate Q1 Earnings, AACR Excites Cancer Space, CEO Pay Gaps, More
As Q1 2025 earnings season continues, tariffs remain top of mind for pharma CEOs and investors. Meanwhile, the American Association for Cancer Research’s annual event kicks off this year’s oncology conference season. Plus, will the FDA become politicized under HHS Secretary RFK Jr.?
April 30, 2025
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1 min read
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Heather McKenzie
Artificial skin technology linear icon. Editable stroke. Minimalist medical concept. Medical innovation for tissue regeneration and wound healing. Vector illustration isolated on a white background.
Rare diseases
Abeona Gets FDA Nod for Rare Skin Disease Gene Therapy
The condition, recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa, causes chronic wounds and has an 84% mortality rate by age 40.
April 29, 2025
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1 min read
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Dan Samorodnitsky
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