Biogen has been battling for a while now over Aduhelm's controversial FDA approval and subsequent narrow Medicare coverage decision. And those struggles have resulted in a significant company reorganization, including the CEO, Michel Vounatsos. After a five-year term, he is stepping down, and a hunt for his replacement is already underway. Also under discussion is the Fierce newsroom's assessment of the most influential people in biopharma—from CEOs to entrepreneurs, scientists and regulatory experts. And the Fierce Madness drug naming championship is the buzz around the newsroom this week, with names that sound like they're straight out of a Harry Potter spell.

To learn more about the topics in this episode:

Biogen sends CEO to the exit, abandons Aduhelm sales team in $1B overhaul

Next Biogen CEO's most-prized expertise? Dealmaking experience, investors say

Biogen shoves Aduhelm to the side. It's time for lecanemab

Most influential people in biopharma—the CEOs

AbbVie's cystic fibrosis long-game doesn't pay off, as Galapagos med fails in triple combo

As superstar Revlimid fades faster than expected, BMS trims $600M from its 2022 sales projection

Abbott's COVID test sales reach all-time high—and maybe for the last time, the company says

As COVID testing cools, Thermo Fisher's biopharma services, clinical research revenues heat up

Hologic's M&A deals aim to pick up the torch from COVID testing sales

Siemens nearly doubles diagnostics forecast for the year amid renewed COVID testing surge

BD tightens up revenue guidance after completing Embecta diabetes spinoff

Bancel has 'never been as busy' amid M&A talks as Moderna preps for life after COVID

Unwelcome surprise for Vertex as FDA slaps hold on phase 1/2 diabetes cell therapy study

FDA plays tooth fairy, awards clearance to VideaHealth's cavity-spotting AI

Wherefore Tavneos? ChemoCentryx and the Brand Institute explain how the #FierceMadness winner got its name

ChemoCentryx’ Tavneos trounces BioMarin's Voxzogo to win #FierceMadness drug name tournament championship

The Top Line is produced by senior multimedia producer Teresa Carey, with editor-in-chief Tracy Staton, managing editor Querida Anderson, senior editors Annalee Armstrong, Ben Adams, Conor Hale and Eric Sagonowsky. The sound engineer is Caleb Hodgson. The stories are by all our “Fierce” journalists.

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