Compass psychedelics, Gilead, Vertex: Readout Newsletter

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.

Want to stay on top of the science and politics driving biotech today? Sign up to get our biotech newsletter in your inbox.

Good morning. The midterms are here. My colleagues will be closely tracking the elections and their implications on health policy, so check back in for our coverage. We also have a helpful primer here.

The need-to-know this morning

Who will get the first psychedelic approved?

The biotech Compass Pathways has been seen as one of the frontrunners in the race to get the first psychedelic drug approved. But it could be a tight race, with a non-profit organization closing in on its own efforts.