Breaking News

A new top drug regulator and the future of psychedelics

December 5, 2025

On this week's episode of "The Readout Loud": a look at an emerging class of psychedelic drugs that may treat depression, anxiety, and other psychiatric conditions without the hallucinogenic "trip." Plus, a dash through the week's biotech news.

The turmoil at the Food and Drug Administration continues: Richard Pazdur has announced his retirement from the agency, just a month after taking the job as top drug regulator. He's being replaced by Covid contrarian Tracy Beth Høeg. We also discuss a U.K.-U.S pharma trade agreement, a very large financing round for an AI-tinged longevity startup, and a big Phase 3 study win for Capricor Therapeutics and its Duchenne muscular dystrophy cell therapy.

Our special guest this week is David Olson, director of the UC Davis Institute for Psychedelics and Neurotherapeutics and the co-founder of Delix Therapeutics, a startup that is developing a new class of neuropsychiatric medicines that are similar to psychedelics in that they can exert strong and rapid therapeutic benefits, but without the hallucinogenic effects.

LISTEN NOW

Subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to never miss an episode

Visit the archive to see past episodes 



Enjoying The Readout LOUD? Tell us about your experience
Continue reading the latest health & science news with the STAT app
Download on the App Store or get it on Google Play
STAT
STAT, 1 Exchange Place, Boston, MA
©2025, All Rights Reserved.

No comments