Elaine’s stories explore the boom in new obesity treatments, new drug payment models, the ways companies are affected by FDA changes, and the emerging psychedelics drug sector. She co-writes The Readout newsletter, and co-hosts STAT’s weekly biotech podcast, The Readout Loud. You can reach Elaine on Signal at elaineywchen.70.

Who got exclusive access to Eli Lilly’s highly anticipated obesity candidate? Why are drugmakers spending so much money on acquisitions? And are hair loss drugs a good investment?

We discuss all that and more on this week’s episode of “The Readout LOUD,” STAT’s biotech podcast. We bring on our colleague Lizzy Lawrence to discuss her scoop that Lilly and the Food and Drug Administration have allowed one person to receive the pharma company’s obesity candidate, retatrutide, through the FDA’s “compassionate use” program.

We also discuss the resurgence of M&A, Lilly’s interest in a hair loss drug, and then the FDA’s reversal on rare disease drugs.

For more on Lilly granting access of its drug to one person, go here; to read more on M&A, go here; to learn more about the hair loss drug, go here; and for more on the FDA’s reversals, go here and here.

Be sure to sign up for “The Readout LOUD” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.