This episode of GEN's Touching Base spotlights the unexpected relationship between breathing low oxygen and restoration of neuron function in a mouse model of Parkinson’s disease. In addition, a single gene therapy injected at birth now offers lasting protection from HIV in infant rhesus macaques. Rounding out our episode, we discuss key factors shaping this year’s A-List of Top 10 U.S. Biopharma Clusters and recap the regulatory conflict surrounding Sarepta Therapeutics’ Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) gene therapy, Elevidys®—including the departure of Vinay Prasad, MD, the FDA official behind the agency’s brief get-tough approach.

Join GEN editors Corinna Singleman, PhD, Alex Philippidis, Fay Lin, PhD, and Uduak Thomas for a discussion of the latest biotech and biopharma news. 

Listed below are links to the GEN stories referenced in this episode of Touching Base:

GLP-1 Drug Semaglutide Linked to Reduced Muscle Strength in Mice

GEN, August 6, 2025

Out of Thin Air: Hypoxia Reverses Parkinson’s Symptoms in Mice

By Fay Lin, PhD GEN, August 6, 2025

Early Gene Therapy Provides Lasting HIV Protection in Newborn Primates

GEN, July 30, 2025

StockWatch: As Prasad Exits FDA, Analysts See Benefit for Sarepta, CGT Stocks

By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, August 3, 2025

Sarepta to Resume Shipping DMD Gene Therapy to Ambulant Patients

By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, July 28, 2025

Sarepta Under Scrutiny, AstraZeneca’s Big Bet, and AI vs. IDRs

By Alex Philippidis, Uduak Thomas, Fay Lin, PhD, Corinna Singleman, PhD, GEN, July 25, 2025

About Face: Sarepta to Pause Elevidys Shipments Temporarily

By Alex Philippidis, GEN Edge, July 21, 2025

Touching Base Podcast

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