Why so many drug companies are now RNA companies

Hello,

Welcome to Insider Healthcare. I'm healthcare editor Leah Rosenbaum, and today in healthcare news:

• More and more drug companies are pivoting to RNA;
• We have the pitch deck that clinical trials software startup Slope used to raise $20 million;
• Dermatologists are turning to social media and telehealth to fight misinformation.

If you're new to this newsletter, sign up here. Comments, tips? Email me at lrosenbaum@insider.com or tweet @leah_rosenbaum. Let's get to it...

Everyone from pharma giants to startup biotechs wants in on the hottest way to develop drugs

• Drug companies large and small are storming into RNA research.
• The industry's enthusiasm is driven by the stunning success of mRNA-based coronavirus vaccines.
• The RNA trend raises a classic biotech question: Is this a boom or a bubble?

Read more now>>

This 10-slide presentation convinced top VC firm NEA to invest $20 million in its first clinical operations startup

• Slope makes software and lab kits for clinical trials. It raised $20 million in Series A funding.
• It is the Silicon Valley VC firm NEA's first investment in the booming clinical operations industry.
• Slope hopes to automate processes that are inefficient for researchers running clinical trials.

See the pitch deck>>

How dermatologists are turning to social media and telehealth to combat misinformation and stay competitive

• A Deloitte survey found that patients were increasingly willing to seek health advice online.
• Dermatologists are using social media to fight the misinformation people often find online.
• Some dermatologists are opting to keep offering online visits as things reopen.

Check it out>>

More stories we're reading:

• New York's largest healthcare provider has fired 1,400 employees who refused to get COVID-19 vaccinations (Insider)
• See how much the government and taxpayers have paid to fund a new COVID antiviral pill (Axios)
• India will pay $670 to next of kin of COVID-19 victims in compensation for their loss (Insider)
• A quarter of companies now have COVID vaccine mandates (Bloomberg)

-Leah