By Adam Feuerstein, Allison DeAngelis, and Elaine Chen

Feb. 12, 2026

Adam Feuerstein

[email protected]

Adam Feuerstein is a senior writer and biotech columnist, reporting on the crossroads of drug development, business, Wall Street, and biotechnology. He is also a co-host of the weekly biotech podcast The Readout Loud and author of the newsletter Adam’s Biotech Scorecard. You can reach Adam on Signal at stataf.54.

Allison DeAngelis

[email protected]

Allison DeAngelis is the East Coast biotech and venture capital reporter at STAT, reporting where scientific ideas and money meet. She is also co-host of the weekly biotech podcast, The Readout Loud. You can reach Allison on Signal at AllisonDeAngelis.01.

Elaine Chen

[email protected]

Elaine Chen covers biotech, 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.

We’re devoting our entire episode this week to one controversial and impactful topic: the FDA’s decision to block the review of Moderna’s mRNA flu shot. 

STAT was the first to report that Vinay Prasad, the agency’s top regulator of vaccines, overruled the head of the FDA’s vaccine office and other staffers in making that decision. Prasad’s unilateral action has renewed concerns about the FDA’s regulatory posture under the Trump administration.

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To help us dig deeply into this important story and its ramifications, we bring on STAT reporters Lizzy Lawrence and Matthew Herper. We also chat with Moderna President Stephen Hoge and former FDA official Jesse Goodman. 

For more on the FDA’s refusal to review Moderna’s application, go here. For more on Prasad overruling staff, go here.

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

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  1. Adam Feuerstein

    Senior Writer, Biotech

    Adam Feuerstein is a senior writer and biotech columnist, reporting on the crossroads of drug development, business, Wall Street, and biotechnology. He is also a co-host of the weekly biotech podcast The Readout Loud and author of the newsletter Adam’s Biotech Scorecard. You can reach Adam on Signal at stataf.54.

  2. Allison DeAngelis

    Biotech Startups and Venture Capital Reporter

    Allison DeAngelis is the East Coast biotech and venture capital reporter at STAT, reporting where scientific ideas and money meet. She is also co-host of the weekly biotech podcast, The Readout Loud. You can reach Allison on Signal at AllisonDeAngelis.01.

  3. Elaine Chen

    National Biotech Reporter

    Elaine Chen covers biotech, 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.