As the new U.S. health regime ordains a stranglehold on the direction of scientific progress, even the world’s most prestigious medical journals face an uphill battle. The editor-in-chief of the New England Journal of Medicine said that inquiries from U.S. attorneys into the publication’s research agenda have been “vaguely threatening.”

With government institutions taking a radically different approach to scientific norms than they have in the past, the private sector is looking for ways to fill the R&D vacuum left behind. One approach is to double down on real-world evidence — not to replace clinical trials or promising research, but to elevate what’s already out there, says Atropos Health CEO and founder Brigham Hyde.

Today, we’re featuring a conversation with Hyde about how real-world evidence may help bring new insights into a troubled research environment. We’re also looking at J&J’s approval for nipocalimab, which could be the pharma giant’s next blockbuster.

Thanks for reading.

Editor’s note: The biggest breakthroughs are often in cancer R&D. So what’s coming next in oncology? Join PharmaVoice and BioPharma Dive editors on June 5 for a virtual event featuring executives from Merck & Co., Daiichi Sanyko and more to hear about the trends shaping pharma’s future in cancer care.