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Heather McKenzie

Heather McKenzie

Senior Editor

Heather McKenzie is a professional journalist with more than five years experience in the biopharmaceutical industry. Since joining BioSpace, she has written more than 200 features and breaking news articles with a particular focus in neuroscience and gene therapy. She has also traveled internationally to cover global biotech hubs such as Israel. In previous roles, she has covered current affairs, sports, education and politics. She previously spent eight years as a senior content producer for executive-level business conferences in the pharma/biotech, legal, energy and business strategy sectors. In her free time, Heather enjoys creative writing, spending time with family and playing with her energetic Russian Blue cat Roofus. She hails from Toronto and has also lived in Chicago and Chesapeake, Virginia. You can reach her at heather.mckenzie@biospace.com.

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
FDA
FDA’s New Risk-Based Approach to COVID-19 Vaccines Aims to Ease ‘Public Distrust’: Makary, Prasad
The new framework was well-received by biopharma analysts, who say it “largely formalizes” current COVID-19 vaccination trends.
May 20, 2025
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4 min read
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Heather McKenzie
Cardiovascular disease
Deep Dive: Checkpoint Inhibitors at a Crossroads
A new generation of checkpoint inhibitors is emerging, with some showing more promise than others. From recent TIGIT failures to high-potential targets like VEGF, BioSpace explores what’s on the horizon in immuno-oncology.
May 19, 2025
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2 min read
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Heather McKenzie
illustration of man lost in a maze full of arrows, surreal abstract concept
FDA
Makary’s ‘Conditional Approval’ Pathway for Rare Diseases Poses More Questions Than Answers
While sparking excitement among biopharma companies focused on rare and ultrarare indications, experts say FDA Commissioner Marty Makary’s proposal is light on details and raises potential concerns about safety, access and liability.
May 19, 2025
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10 min read
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Heather McKenzie
Vector. Modern backgrounds. Mind Map Team - Illustration
FDA
After FDA Cuts, Planning for Upcoming ODAC Meeting Has Been ‘Absolute Chaos’
As the FDA prepares for a busy Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee meeting next week, an agency insider told BioSpace that volunteers with little training are scrambling to secure the required expertise after workforce cuts decimated the adcomm planning office.
May 15, 2025
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4 min read
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Heather McKenzie
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
Corona virus, Covid-19 and social distancing concept surreal artwork, painting illustration, lonely with floating virus, illustration
Infectious disease
Biopharma Targets an HIV Cure as NIH Funding Cuts Threaten To Derail Progress
As the Trump administration slashes funding for HIV-related research and infrastructure, Gilead, Immunocore and more are targeting the next goalpost: a cure.
May 12, 2025
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7 min read
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Heather McKenzie
Pictured: Novavax/Getty Images, STR/NurPhoto
Earnings
Novavax Sales Jump 600% YoY as COVID-19 Vaccine Still in Limbo at FDA
After more than a month of speculation over how the FDA will rule on Novavax’s application for an updated formulation of its COVID-19 shot, CEO John Jacobs said on the company’s Q1 earnings call: “When we have it, we’ll have it. Until then, we don’t have it.”
May 8, 2025
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3 min read
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Heather McKenzie
Unvaccinated And vaccinated people as anti-vaxxer or individuals that oppose taking the vaccine with 3D illustration elements.
Vaccines
Is the New HHS Vaccine Requirement Anti-Vaccine Activism Disguised as Policy?
Yes, according to leading vaccine physician Paul Offit, who denounced the new placebo-controlled trial requirements for vaccines and sought greater clarity: “I don’t know what they’re talking about.”
May 7, 2025
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6 min read
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Heather McKenzie
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
FDA
Biotech Stocks Fall After FDA Names Vinay Prasad To Succeed Marks at CBER
The oncologist and former University of California, San Francisco, professor has long been critical of COVID-19 mandates and the accelerated approval of cancer drugs.
May 6, 2025
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3 min read
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Heather McKenzie
Cancel Culture concept or cultural cancellation and social media censorship as canceling or restricting opinions that are offensive or controversial to the public with 3D illustration elements.
Editorial
Biomedical Innovation in Jeopardy as Kennedy Distorts, Denies Scientific Truths
As the Trump administration—including HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.—plays fast and loose with scientific studies and facts, there may be a more sinister force at play: censorship.
May 2, 2025
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6 min read
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Heather McKenzie
Vaccine and syringe injection. Doctor hand with syringe. Vaccination of people for prevention, immunization and treatment from virus infection. Medicine, flu shot, test with needle. Vector
Policy
HHS To Require Placebo-Controlled Trials for All New Vaccines in ‘Radical Departure’ From Past
The new policy, revealed by the Department of Health and Human Services on Wednesday, would make vaccines “less available and less affordable,” according to vaccine expert Paul Offit. It could also further complicate the picture for companies like Novavax.
May 1, 2025
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3 min read
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Heather McKenzie
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
FDA
FDA Alumni, Experts Call on Makary To Stand Up Against Agency’s Politicization
In a recent interview, FDA Commissioner Marty Makary said there “should be nothing political about the FDA.” Recent actions taken by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and others within the department appear to be at odds with this sentiment.
April 29, 2025
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6 min read
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Heather McKenzie
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