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Lakers Have Obvious Forward Target to Reunite With Luka Dončić
Derrick Jones Jr. already knows how to play alongside Luka Dončić, but getting him from the Clippers would take more than a familiar connection.
Rhett Lashlee 'Confident' In SMU Turnaround vs. Missouri State
The Mustangs hurt themselves in the loss to Louisville, but Lashlee is confident his team has learned its lesson.
Getting Ready for Jackson Jobe’s Final Start
As the flame-throwing righty finds his groove following surgery, Detroit fans get a final look at the electric arm poised to lead the franchise’s next pitching generation.
Pioneer of China NewCo model sued in US over trade secret misuse, double-dealing
A legal feud unfolding in New York is putting a spotlight on the work of a business development veteran who is credited for pioneering one of biopharma’s hottest dealmaking mechanism: the China “NewCo” model. In a lawsuit originally filed in New York state court and recently moved to federal court, China’s Lepu Medical Technology has alleged that biopharma business development consultant Su Zhang, who was hired to help shop its GLP-1 weight-loss candidates to Western partners, engaged in corporate double-dealing and trade secret leaks. According to the complaint, while acting as Lepu’s primary dealmaking liaison for a group of obesity and metabolic disease drug candidates, Zhang was secretly double-dipping as the acting chief business officer for a direct competitor, BrightGene Pharmaceutical. “She never adequately disclosed the role, never sought Lepu’s consent, and never proposed any safeguard,” Lepu alleged in its complaint, which was filed in July after Zhang’s consulting firm, CoDevCo, sought certain transaction-based success fees from its angry customer through an arbitration process in Singapore. Lepu, the parent company of Lepu Biopharma, has asked Zhang to pay back its $500,000 retainer and disgorge all benefits she received during the alleged breaches of fiduciary duty, plus other damages and relief. The company has also requested the court grant injunctions to protect Lepu’s trade secrets. The ill-fated partnership officially kicked off in December 2024, when Lepu tapped CoDevCo as its “exclusive business development mechanism” to identify collaborators for the company’s drug candidates. According to Lepu’s complaint, Zhang personally negotiated and signed the agreement as managing director for CoDevCo, which used her home address. Before the Lepu deal, Zhang made a name following a short stint as the global head of business development for Hengrui Pharmaceuticals. It was during her tenure that Hengrui signed a landmark deal granting exclusive rights for a portfolio of GLP-1 assets to Hercules, which was at that time newly established by a group of private equity and venture capital firms. In addition to the regular upfront and milestone payments, Hengrui also gained an equity stake in Hercules, which later became Kailera Therapeutics. The Hengrui-Hercules deal opened a new paradigm, where a Chinese biopharma company spins off certain early-stage assets to investors for further development through the creation of a new company abroad. The “NewCo” model quickly came into vogue as it allows Western investors to access high-potential assets originating from China at an early stage while giving the Chinese licensors an opportunity to reap long-term benefits through equity stakes in the new firms. The NewCo model proved its value when Kailera staged a record-breaking $625 million IPO on Nasdaq this April, merely two years into the Hengrui deal. Related Kailera CEO 'knew we were in a good spot' before obesity biotech's record-breaking $625M IPO On her LinkedIn page, Zhang described her work at Hengrui as “[b]uilding team and capability from the ground up,” forming NewCo and major pharma partnerships worth billions of dollars. Lepu clearly wanted that kind of track record to help boost its own cardiometabolic portfolio, which includes a range of assets for obesity, Type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease and muscle preservation during weight loss treatment. “Lepu’s pipeline is very valuable, but only if Lepu could secure the right international partner to expand into the overseas market during the available commercial window,” the company argued in its complaint. The Chinese biotech said it had little knowledge of U.S. laws, customs or business practices in the business development field, and therefore “needed to rely entirely” on the expertise of Zhang and her team as the firm’s first engagement of a U.S.-based BD consultant. “Zhang’s dominating influence on the business development strategy is further evidenced by the fact that she personally controlled the business-development communications on behalf of Lepu with potential partners,” Lepu said in its complaint. After entering the deal, Zhang introduced Lepu to her four associates. According to Lepu’s version of events, all of them were allegedly employed at different time points to perform similar jobs at other Chinese companies that Lepu described as its competitors, while having access to Lepu’s confidential information. As such, Lepu described Zhang’s team as “a roster of individuals whose primary professional loyalty, by virtue of their concurrent full-time employment, ran to Lepu’s competitors.” As well as the specific examples set out in the case, a look at Lepu’s deals over the period suggests Zhang may have been involved in at least one transaction. During their partnership, Lepu, through its subsidiary Shanghai Minwei Biotechnology, also out-licensed its GLP-1/GIP/FGF21 agonist MWN105 to a NewCo called Sidera Bio in the fall of 2025. The deal included an upfront and near-term payment of $35 million, up to $1.01 billion in milestones, and a 9.99% stake in the Danish startup. It seems likely that Zhang facilitated the Minwei deal given that Lepu is on record as having used CoDevCo as its “exclusive business development mechanism.” The big shock for Lepu came in the form of a news article on June 25, 2025. The article, reporting on phase 2 data for BrightGene’s GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist BGM0504, identified Zhang as acting chief business officer of the Lepu rival. Blindsided by her association with BrightGene, Lepu confronted Zhang in July 2025. “Lepu was given assurances that there was nothing to be concerned about and told that Zhang would explain the matter to Lepu,” Lepu alleged in its complaint. “Zhang never did.” Lepu claimed that Zhang had the motive and opportunity to steer potential prospective partners toward BrightGene or other competitors. Later, in February 2026, one of Zhang’s associates joined BrightGene as the vice president for global business development, according to the complaint. Around the same time, Lepu sent written demand letters asking Zhang to account for her BrightGene role, identify what confidential data were shared with the rival firm, and provide any conflict-of-interest or firewall policies during the engagement. According to Lepu, neither CoDevCo nor Zhang answered the questions in their responses. Related Novo vs. KBP: How a $1.3B deal turned into a fraud accusation and an international legal fight In a motion to dismiss filed with the U.S. District Court in the Eastern District of New York on Sept. 4, Zhang’s legal team argued that Lepu’s agreement was signed with CoDevCo, and that an employee of the contractor does not owe fiduciary duties to the client. In its complaint, Lepu said: “That CoDevCo was the contracting entity does not insulate Zhang from personal liability for duties she personally undertook and personally breached.” Taking the argument one step further, the defending party argued that the consulting agreement “does not create a fiduciary relationship even between CoDevCo and Lepu; instead, it identifies CoDevCo as an independent contractor retained to market Lepu’s business to potential western partners.” Although CoDevCo was Lepu’s exclusive business-development contractor, there were no terms stipulating that the consulting firm should serve only Lepu, Zhang’s lawyer noted. As to Lepu’s claims that Zhang misappropriated trade secrets, the defendant argued that Lepu authorized the use of the information so Zhang’s team could perform their service per the agreement. In a rebuttal filed on Sept. 11, Lepu’s lawyer set out why they believe the Chinese biotech satisfied New York law’s misappropriation definition by alleging that the defendant used a trade secret “in breach of a duty or through improper means.” As an alternative to dismissing the suit, the defendant suggested the action should be stayed pending outcomes from the arbitration of a separate case in Singapore. While NewCo pioneer Zhang is defending her business arrangements, momentum behind the NewCo trend has continued unabated into 2026. Through August, Chinese biotech assets have spurred 15 NewCo deals this year, according to local trade publication PharmaDJ.
UConn Football Reportedly Trying to Join Conference it Left Behind
Brett McMurphy of On3 says that UConn is looking to change its football footprint.
A Megadrought Has Been Plaguing the U.S. for 27 Years—And Scientists Say It May Never End
The Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) historically drove a regular wet-dry cycle, but climate change might’ve hijacked this once-predictable climate pattern.
'Disgraceful' - Chris Sutton Makes Worrying Celtic Claim
Chris Sutton has made a Celtic claim that could leave the fans worried about the future.
Atlanta Falcons Defeat Packers in Shocking Thursday Night Football Beatdown
The Atlanta Falcons earned their first win of the season.
Mets Have A Chance To Escape Basement This Weekend
The New York Mets are in Washington to play the Nationals in a battle of bottom-dwelling teams.
Optimism, Skepticism and Pessimism Regarding the Orlando Magic's Upcoming Season
There are things to be excited about, things to wonder about, and things to be concerned about as it pertains to the Orlando Magic in 2026-27.
Three Bold Predictions for Jets vs. Lions at Ford Field
Expect a Ford Field fireworks display as Detroit’s high-octane offense prepares to dismantle New York’s secondary, headlined by Aidan Hutchinson’s relentless pursuit of a career-high sack record.
Meta debuts Tamagotchi-style AI agent
Meta is creating a tiny, portable Muse Charm device for carrying around the company's AI agent, CEO Mark Zuckerberg has announced.
Norvell Leads Seminoles vs. Alma Mater Central Arkansas
Florida State coach Mike Norvell will lead his Seminoles against his alma mater, Central Arkansas. Florida State is coming off a loss to Alabama and will look to get back in the win column against the FCS Bears. QB Ashton Daniels must eliminate his turnovers from a week ago to get the victory.
Nasim Nuñez Sets Franchise Mark In Nationals Final Road Game
Despite all his struggles offensively, infielder Nasim Nuñez set a new franchise record for the Washington Nationals this week
Grading Clippers’ Full 2026 Offseason After Officially Losing Kawhi Leonard
How did the Los Angeles Clippers do in the offseason?
Three Matchups That May Define Commanders Week Three vs. Seattle
The Washington Commanders will look to pull off the upset when they host the Seattle Seahawks for the 2026 home opener
Crystal Palace Women vs Birmingham City WSL Preview
Crystal Palace Women travel to Birmingham City this weekend for their next WSL match.
Spence Powers Astros with Three-Homer Night Against A's
The Athletics are looking to play spoiler this weekend, but rookie Lucas Spence decided to put Houston on his back in Game 1.
Jürgen Klopp Confirms Kai Havertz Scan After Germany Injury
The Arsenal forward was forced off during Germany's draw with the Netherlands, with Jürgen Klopp confirming a muscular problem and further checks.
Olympiacos Eyeing OFI Goalkeeper as Panathinaikos Complicates Move
Olympiacos face a strategic battle for OFI Crete's Nikolaos Christogeorgos, as a complex resale clause grants fierce rivals Panathinaikos the power to hijack the deal.
Real Madrid Prepare To Reignite Interest In Ajax Star
Real Madrid are reportedly preparing to reignite their interest in Abdellah Ouazane.
Utah Jazz Could See Major Player Swings as Expectations Rise
As the franchise pivots from development to winning, shifting stakes will test locker room veterans and rising stars alike, forcing critical adjustments in performance and nightly availability.
Sharpe Predicted To Be Nets’ Most Efficient Player
Day'Ron Sharpe transitions into a starting role, prepared to anchor Brooklyn’s interior and expand his offensive range.
UConn Alum Helps Chicago White Sox Make Historic Turnaround
Anthony Kay was part of the White Sox magical 2026 season, appearing in more than 30 games so far.
CBS Sports ranks Marcus Stokes the No. 40 quarterback in updated QB power ranking
CBS Sports’ David Cobb has posted a “College Football QB Power Rankings” every week throughout the college football season, and he ranked Marcus Stokes No. 40 in his updated rankings after week 3. The Tigers’ quarterback moved up two spots from last week after a nice performance against UT Martin, and he’s one of eight non-Power Four quarterbacks in the top 50.
Norvell Blinded by QB Loyalty Ahead of Central Arkansas Game
Florida State coach continues to praise his starting quarterback, Ashton Daniels, even after throwing three interceptions in a 50-36 loss to Alabama last Saturday. Norvell praises his confidence and decision-making skills. Daniels has thrown three touchdown passes against ranked teams this season.
Brewers Roll Out Expected Postseason Rotation vs. Cardinals
Rising Milwaukee Brewers southpaw Robert Gasser looks to stay hot while Dustin May fights for his role.
Debating Just How Disappointing Phoenix Suns' Last Era Was
From championship favorites to a first-round sweep, Phoenix’s star-studded experiment backfired spectacularly. High costs and chemistry issues now cement this era as a historic cautionary tale.
UConn Football Gets Interesting Schedule Wrinkle For Near Future
While the Huskies are taking on Miami (Ohio) this weekend, they learned something about their 2029 schedule earlier this week.
White Sox Move Detrimental Pitcher to Injured List
Luis Castillo struggled in both the starting rotation and bullpen, and the White Sox finally have an opportunity to move forward without him.
Rockies Finish Up at Home With Loss to Diamondbacks
Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Tanner Gordon was not sharp early on Thursday, helping the Arizona Diamondbacks get a victory at Coors Field.
Yamamoto’s Dependability Stands Out for Dodgers Again
Yoshinobu Yamamoto has silenced durability concerns, evolving into the most consistent, high-stakes anchor of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ postseason rotation.
NBA No. 1 Pick 'Disappointment' Predicted As Mavs Breakout Candidate
The former No. 1 pick has a chance to rebuild his career in Dallas after two difficult seasons with Atlanta.
Chicago Bulls Announce Additions to Bryson Graham's Front Office Staff
The new head executive in Chicago is filling out his basketball operations department.
Navigating digestive disorders: tips and resources for managing gut health
For tens of millions of Americans, digestive issues and unpredictable gut health are far more than an occasional inconvenience—they are daily disruptions.
Ubisoft hosting new Nintendo Switch 2 and Switch sale, lowest prices ever for Assassin's Creed: The Ezio Collection, Rayman: 30th Anniversary Edition, more
Ubisoft is celebrating its 40th anniversary with a brand new sale on the Nintendo eShop, which includes games like Assassin’s Creed: The Ezio Collection, Rayman: 30th Anniversary Edition, and more at new low prices. Other notable releases are included as well. You can save big on the Mario + Rabbids series, The Rogue Prince of Persia, and more. The full...
Stanford Legend Christian McCaffrey Joins Elite Group in NFL History
The San Francisco 49ers running back has been a scoring machine throughout his career.
Chelsea Dealt With Another Possible Injury Blow During International Break
Penders is expected to miss Belgium's Nations League clash with France on Friday due to injury.
Quintero Headlines Dodgers’ Arizona Fall League Group
Eduardo Quintero enters the Arizona Fall League as the Los Angeles Dodgers’ top representative.
White Sox Clinch Playoff Spot, Complete Historic Turnaround
After clinching on Thursday, the Chicago White Sox are headed back to the postseason for the first time since 2021, completing a historic turnaround just two years after an MLB-record 121-loss season.
Angels Quest To Set Franchise Record Continues In Seattle
The Los Angeles Angels have never lost 100 games in a season, but they're playing record-setting baseball for sure.
Paolo Banchero Plummets in Latest NBA Player Rankings
Despite elite production and playoff heroics, efficiency concerns and inconsistent decision-making have sparked a significant slide for Orlando’s cornerstone as he faces a pivotal make-or-break season.
Minnesota Twins Rookie Earns Praise In Win Over Giants
Walker Jenkins delivered with his first career pinch-hit single during Minnesota's series finale against the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday.
Kansas’ Defense Deserves Credit Despite the Loss
Kansas’ Defense Deserves Credit Despite the Loss
Will Syracuse Women's Basketball Land Top Recruit Friday Night?
This four-star prospect will announce her commitment this weekend.
FSU’s Mike Norvell Has a ‘No Win’ Situation This Saturday
Mike Norvell is in a no-win spot at Florida State: blow teams out and they stink; win close and FSU has problems. Only consistency changes it.
Pete Alonso Promises Improvement After Disappointing Baltimore Orioles Season
Baltimore Orioles first baseman Pete Alonso expects improvement in 2027.
Lucas Bergvall Addresses Tottenham Exit Speculation After Signing New Contract
Lucas Bergvall has explained his decision to renew with Tottenham, addressing summer transfer speculation and his talks with the club over his future.
Trail Blazers Should Let Their Newest Players Grade the Team
Fresh faces provide a unique lens to test Portland’s chemistry, forcing veterans to refine their communication and ensuring new coach Micah Nori’s system is truly battle-ready.
An Iowa Football Fan's Guide To Week 4
Your afternoon viewing window will obviously be on the Iowa-Michigan game, but there's a lot of other football games that may catch your eye this weekend.
Business Insider brings Tech Insider to San Francisco Tech Week
Business Insider will host two events, Tech Insider: Growth Mode and AI Insider: A Roundtable Dinner, during San Francisco Tech Week 2026.
Engineers connect health wearables and implants using the body as the network
Using the human body to transmit signals, Georgia Tech engineers have created a wireless networking system that allows tiny implantable sensors and actuators to communicate with each other and with wearable ...
U.S. business groups warned Trump that a diesel export ban would backfire on prices
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Business Roundtable, API, and dozens of other groups sent Trump a joint letter Wednesday opposing the measure
Thomas Sorber Is Thunder's Forgotten First-Round Wild Card
Hidden behind injuries and draft-day hype, the physical Georgetown product offers a bruising interior presence and elite wingspan that could redefine the Thunder’s versatile frontcourt rotation.
Los Angeles Chargers Need Vocal Leaders
The Chargers are 0-2 and desperately need more vocal leadership. Justin Herbert leads by example, but the team needs someone to demand more from everyone. With frustration mounting, the Chargers need their veteran leaders to step up and help right the ship.
Chrome now saves scroll position, filled forms when sending tabs between devices
Google today announced new study-focused Chrome features, with the most notable being how the browser will now save scroll position...
Toronto Blue Jays Interested in Next Japanese Baseball Phenom
Shoki Koda is an 18-year-old phenom from the Japanese high school ranks.
Bills defensive lineman T.J. Sanders out indefinitely after having appendectomy
Brady didn’t provide a timetable for Sanders’ return in announcing the player had surgery a day earlier.
Rockstar reveals a £350 box of naughty GTA 6 collectables you definitely wouldn't get through airport security
A whopping £350 for this limited edition GTA 6 collectible set - and that doesn't even include the game.
Babis Kostoulas: A Deserved Nomination
On the 12th of June 2025, Brighton and Hove Albion signed Babis Kostoulas from Olympiacos. Since that moment, the Greek striker has treated Albion fans to tricks, bicycle kicks, and a thoroughly deserved Player of the Month nomination.
Tre Lamb and Tulsa have the upper hand against Arkansas
Arkansas fans hope to beat Tulsa but shouldn't expect it
Burgers Have Meat and Vegetables. Why Aren’t They Considered Healthy? A Dietitian Explains
Registered dietitian Erin Palinski-Wade reveals the ingredients and cooking styles that give this beloved dish such a bad rap.
Kevin Schade Nominated for Premier League Player of the Month
The Brentford winger scored twice during an unbeaten September and has now been recognised among the Premier League’s leading performers.
Ravens Offensive Line is Producing Troubling Stats Early On
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is one of the quarterbacks who have faced the highest pressure from defenses.
WNBA Playoff Seeding: Everything to Know Entering Final Night
The Valkyries, Aces, Fever and Mystics all have playoff seeding at stake on the final night of the WNBA regular season.
Washington Huskies See New Additions to Injury Report
The Huskies saw two players listed as questionable for Saturday's Big Ten opener against the Minnesota Golden Gophers.
76ers Star Tyrese Maxey Addresses Relationship With LeBron James
Tyrese Maxey discussed what it's like working out with LeBron James, and even explained the kind of relationship they have.
‘The Three B’s’ Combined XI
Everyone has been talking about Brighton, Brentford and Bournemouth, largely due to their consistent ability to punch above their perceived weight. But what is the best eleven that could be fielded using only players from each club?
Ken Rosenthal Exposes the Biggest Problem Facing the Cincinnati Reds
Internal dysfunction and meddling ownership have paralyzed Cincinnati’s front office, preventing the strategic rebuilding needed to replicate the Brewers' and Rays' small-market success.
Broncos Are Revamping Run Game Without Running Backs
The Denver Broncos are trying to emphasize the running game, but they're almost out of running backs.
ESPN Names 1 Part Of Broncos' Offense As 'Early Surprise'
Despite a sluggish start to the 2026 season, Denver’s newfound commitment to a balanced rushing attack behind Jonah Coleman and JK Dobbins signals a pivotal offensive shift.
Ohio advocates hope data plus relationships will equal better health for moms and babies
Organizations in Ohio's biggest metros reveal what they've learned so far from a new initiative to combat the long-running tragedy of too many mothers and babies dying preventable deaths amid persistent barriers.
Microsoft unveils Surface Pro 12" tablet and Surface Laptop 13" with Snapdragon X2 Plus
The new chipset has 60% faster graphics and a 95% faster NPU compared to the X Plus that powered the previous Surface Pro 12" and Surface Laptop 13".
The Best Brighton XI of the last 11 seasons
A recent social media trend has seen fans pick out one player from each of the last eleven seasons to build an ultimate starting lineup for their club. Today we attempt this trend for Brighton and Hove Albion.
Looking Back at Framber Valdez’s First Season With Detroit
Beyond the win-loss record, Detroit’s high-priced southpaw overcame a stagnant offense and a disastrous early outing to prove he remains a dominant, durable force in the rotation.
Falcons Roundtable: Can Michael Penix Save Atlanta's Offense Against Packers?
The Atlanta Falcons face the Green Bay Packers on Thursday Night Football as Michael Penix Jr. returns from his ACL injury. Our Falcons Roundtable breaks down Atlanta's 0-2 start, Penix's expectations, Green Bay's weaknesses, bold predictions and Week 3 score picks.
Why Timberwolves Should Be Excited About Upcoming NBA Season
The Timberwolves have a lot to look forward to with a new point guard at the helm.
Australia to investigate if OpenAI hack of government health website broke the law
The incident is the first known breach to affect a government agency, and Australia's prime minister has vowed to hold OpenAI accountable.
Pascal Groß Tipped Favourite To Win Premier League Star Award
The German veteran’s red-hot scoring streak and vital leadership at Brighton make him a frontrunner for Player of the Month honors against a stacked field of nominees.
Climate change is expanding extreme heat's threat to human health
I was 12 when the worst heat waves hit our home in rural New South Wales, Australia. It was summer vacation, a few weeks after we'd celebrated Christmas. I sat at the kitchen table, next to the sheets ...
Starbucks to close 250 stores in North America this week
Starbucks plans to close 250 North American stores later this week. Starbucks Chief Operating Officer Mike Grams said the locations targeted either aren’t delivering acceptable financial results or can’t provide
Walker Kessler's ESPN Rise Sends Clear Message to Utah Jazz
A 25-spot rankings surge for the Lakers’ newest center exposes a harsh reality: elite production often stays hidden until paired with superstars and the national spotlight.
Is metascience being co-opted?
In July, the White House released a report that argued academia is deeply dysfunctional and in need of radical reform.Science: A New Golden Age sets out a litany of problems many academics will recognise: interminable waits for grants; short-term funding rather than support for longer, more ambitious projects; ballooning administrative requirements; pressure to publish, and many more. “The scientific machine is getting bogged down,” it says. At least on the face of it, Science: A New Golden Age is a triumph for the metascience movement, a loose-knit, global group of academics, philanthropists and think tankers that want far more testing and experimentation in how we fund public research and innovation. The report tells US research funders to set up internal metascience units to do just this. But it has also set alarm bells ringing that metascience is being conveniently deployed to help justify the defunding of US universities, which US vice president JD Vance has openly labelled “the enemy.” “Just because you have an issue with your plumbing in your house doesn't mean you light the entire house on fire and burn it to the ground,” said Colette Delawalla, chief executive of Stand Up for Science, a group campaigning against what it says are attacks on scientists by the Trump administration. No one is arguing that academia doesn’t need reform, but there’s debate over how far and how fast the system should be shaken up. Does public R&D need slow and steady evidence-based adjustment, or radical new experiments?One of the key arguments in Science: A New Golden Age is that there’s not enough funding for what it calls “mid-level” science: engineering-heavy projects that require tens of millions of dollars, involve ten to a hundred people, and last around five years. Such a project might develop a brain-computer interface for people with Alzheimer's disease, for example. As such, the US National Science Foundation (NSF) has already announced $1.5 billion to set up so-called X-Labs, effectively new research organisations to pursue breakthroughs in areas such as quantum sensing and new scientific instruments. Funding divertedBut there’s a catch: this money has squeezed NSF budgets for more traditional, fundamental research grants, Science reported in June, likely meaning less cash for university-based scientists. Science: A New Golden Age also makes various swipes at universities, accusing them of extracting overheads from scientists to fund administrative bloat. “We have become dependent on a narrow set of legacy institutions,” it says. The report doesn’t mention it, but the US government is simultaneously seeking greater powers over federal funding, which would allow political appointees at funding agencies to screen or cancel research grants mid-project. The White House is also seeking to slash the NSF’s budget by more than half in 2027, although similar cuts proposed for 2026 were blocked by Congress. Convenient hookThis has worried some that the metascience agenda could be misused as a kind of smokescreen to further weaken universities. James Wilsdon, executive director of the Research on Research Institute at University College London, said that the report contains lots of “interesting ideas” and agrees that in places, academia is a “pretty broken system.” But the risk is that metascience is being deployed as a “convenient hook” to support cuts and a “political land grab” to transfer grant power from scientists to political appointees in US funding agencies.So far, the metascience agenda hasn’t been seized on by radical right parties in Europe. But Wilsdon worries it will cross the Atlantic, politicising research reform efforts and making them more difficult to carry out. The report is already making some in Europe sceptical of the entire idea. “The system is not without flaws, but the metascience discussion is not likely to improve the system but rather to generate munition to undermine it,” said Claes de Vreese, a professor of AI and society at the University of Amsterdam. Peter Thiel protégéOfficially, Science: A New Golden Age has just one named author: Michael Kratsios, the director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy and a former chief of staff to Silicon Valley mogul Peter Thiel. He also served as chief financial officer of Thiel’s Clarium Capital Management. Since the 1990s, Thiel has criticised US universities for moving away from teaching what he views as the classic works of western civilisation, and drifting towards “anti-Western zealotry.” And since 2011, he has offered two-year fellowships of $250,000 to young people to skip or drop out of university, and instead start companies or pursue scientific research. “College can be good for learning about what’s been done before, but it can also discourage you from doing something new,” according to the Thiel Fellowships website. In other areas, the Trump administration has promoted academics with a longstanding interest in metascience. For example, the head of the National Institutes of Health, Jay Bhattacharya, in 2020 co-authored a study arguing the funder backs overly conservative proposals, although he achieved wider prominence as a critic of pandemic lockdowns. Careless talk costs fundingEven before the Trump administration embraced the metascience agenda, some metascientists privately wondered whether they should be careful not to overstate dysfunctions in academia, in case this gets used as ammunition against universities. But others think being cautious with criticism is pointless. After all, last year, the Trump administration sought to cut funding from US universities on an entirely different premise: supposed antisemitism on campus. “I don't think these governments need a technical metascientific excuse to attack the universities, they will want to do so anyway,” said Will Stone, a researcher at Science Works, a new think tank advocating for a “metascience revolution” in the UK. “I think researchers should report what they find, even when the findings may be used to advance policies they disagree with,” echoed Russell Funk, a researcher at the University of Minnesota, who in 2023 co-authored a highly influential paper that argued scientific papers were becoming less disruptive over time. No justificationThat said, Funk thinks that metascientific research certainly doesn’t justify a weakening of universities. Instead, scientists need “time, resources and stability to pursue unfamiliar ideas,” he said. “Taking away those conditions works against the very goal the reforms are supposed to achieve.”The Institute for Progress, a Washington DC-based innovation policy think tank that has championed X-Labs and metascience units, also says that reforms should complement, not supplant, universities. “Unpredictable, unreliable, and reduced federal funding to researchers is destabilising to the very foundations of research and development and is bad,” said Jenn Gustetic, the institute’s director of metascience and R&D policy.Evolution or revolution?This points to a much bigger divide in the metascience community: how far and how fast should public R&D be shaken up? Does it need evolution or revolution? For example, Science: A New Golden Age says the science system relies too heavily on traditional “workhorse” project grants, the type that pay out around $250,000 a year to fund “hypothesis-driven science by small teams on tractable questions.” However, in criticising project grants, the report “decisively picks one side of a debate that is far from settled,” David Hilmer Rex, a metascientist based in Denmark, has written. In June, Pierre Azoulay, a metascientist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, defended project grants, saying that the alternative of X-Labs “merits scepticism.”A-B testingOne challenge in metascience is that it’s easier to generate evidence for some types of change than others. Most straightforwardly, research funders can run A-B tests on different ways of awarding money. For example, Germany’s Volkswagen Foundation recently trialled distributed peer review, where applicants rate each other’s proposals, and measured its results against traditional review panels. Distributed peer review made quicker decisions, although awarded money to largely different ideas. However, much of the focus of the metascience movement has been on founding fast-moving and free-acting new research organisations and funders, in contrast to the alleged stodginess of mainstream academia or public innovation grants. A culture of speed and freedom are the animating principles behind Germany’s Sprind or the UK’s Advanced Research and Invention Agency (Aria).Related articlesViewpoint: it's time to experiment with how Europe funds science European researchers sound the alarm that Trump rule changes will hit cooperationHowever, while it’s possible to closely study previously successful bodies, such as the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (Darpa), for historical clues to their secret sauce, it’s impossible to guarantee in advance that the likes of Sprind or Aria will actually work as hoped. But advocates of new organisations say this inherent uncertainly shouldn’t stop us trying. “If we wait for definitive proof that something will work before we try it, I don't know where your proof is coming from,” said Stone. Trade-offsUp until now, experiments in metascience haven’t generally come with hard trade-offs over money. In the US, new ideas such as focused research organisations have often been funded by billionaire philanthropists. In Europe, new innovation agencies such as Sprind and Aria, or the Netherland’s new National Agency for Disruptive Innovation, haven’t needed explicit cuts elsewhere in the research system. But with the $1.5 billion establishment of X-Labs by the NSF, the trade-offs are becoming clearer. Some metascientists privately wonder whether a smaller pilot would have been more appropriate, given that the idea is untested. The Institute for Progress counters that the $1.5 billion X-Labs budget is spread out over a decade, so will account for less than 2% of the NSF’s annual budget. “It’s important to remember that [Darpa] was once an institutional experiment as well. Now it’s one of the most cited innovative funding models in the world,” said Gustetic.As for Europe?The US isn’t the only country placing metascience at the heart of its research strategy. Science: A New Golden Age looks admiringly at the UK, which in 2024 set up a Metascience Unit to scrutinise how it funds research. In Brussels, it’s more of a mixed picture. In 2018, the EU set up the European Innovation Council to funnel grants and equity to start-ups, although it’s sometimes criticised for awarding money too slowly. Recently, the council has started experimenting with challenges, where teams of inventors compete to overcome a technological challenge. The European Commission also wants to experiment with partially randomising grant winners, to cut down on bureaucracy. However, the Commission’s own advisers have said the EU’s own research schemes are too conventional. They want the Commission to establish a new dedicated unit to scrutinise and experiment with funding. But there’s no sign of a such unit emerging in Brussels’ plans for the next Horizon Europe programme, which from 2028 is set to distribute more than €160 billion over seven years. Sam Bogerd, director of breakthrough innovation at the Brussels-based Arq Foundation, an AI-focused think tank that also looks at metascience, says that Europe might have the opposite problem to the US: universities and basic research funding are still reasonably well supported, but there’s not enough experimentation. “We're not taking a close enough look at where this money can achieve the most, and I am worried that the good ideas around metascience will be tainted politically by their association with the Trump administration,” he said. He’s still lobbying for the Commission to set up an experimental unit. But in the meantime, the Arq Foundation plans to do its own research, and is currently hiring two metascience researchers to run the rule over how Brussels spends research funding.
EU science policy wonks debate prospect of stronger ties with Canada
Europe’s research and innovation sector has started asking questions on how European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s offer to make Canada “the first associate member of the EU” would actually work in practice, and who will get to shape priorities in a transatlantic relationship that is getting stronger. The Commission says it wants “a new model of association” under which the EU and Canada will aim to develop “a shared space” to face ongoing challenges. “Working in close coordination with our member states and the European Parliament, we will aim to create a new form of partnership that has not existed until now, building the closest imaginable form of association with a partner outside Europe,” a spokesperson told Science|Business.Locked in an escalating trade war with US President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly talked of annexing Canada, Prime Minister Mark Carney has been looking east, but full EU membership was never in play. Taking the floor a day after von der Leyen’s proposal, he agreed to strengthen ties under “an alliance of the future” but reined in enthusiasm on the new label. He also suggested expanding Canada’s involvement in the Erasmus+ student mobility scheme, to which it currently has limited access, and the next iteration of Horizon Europe. Canada joined the present Horizon Europe in 2024, but only contributes to collaborative projects.Neither side has detailed the next practical steps in developing this new relationship. “I think nobody at the moment truly knows how this will work,” said Michael Browne, chief executive and founder of Crowdhelix, a global collaborative network that connects players in research and innovation. “It’s more of a statement of intent for closer collaboration, which requires legislative frameworks and approval processes, which have not started.”Kurt Deketelaere, secretary general of the League of European Research Universities, said von der Leyen’s pitch to Canada is “politically significant, but the legal content still has to be negotiated and constructed.”Mattias Björnmalm, secretary general of the Cesaer university group, agreed that she had only opened “a political door” to Canada, as “associate membership does not come with a predefined set of rights in the EU institutions.”Not only does this status not currently exist as a legal category in the two treaties that set up how the EU functions, but the Commission president cannot unilaterally create a new category of EU membership.According to Deketelaere, Article 217 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU, which allows the bloc to make association deals with non-EU countries involving reciprocal rights and duties, is “the most obvious existing legal basis for building a much deeper EU-Canada relationship.”Getting universities involvedNo matter how this new cooperation takes shape, Liviu Matei, who heads the School of Education, Communication and Society at King’s College London, hopes to see universities involved in discussions from an early stage.“Its primary motivations, entirely justifiably, are political and geopolitical,” he said. “In the area of higher education, however, restricting the initiative to political and geopolitical considerations would limit the scope of cooperation and lead to distorted frameworks and counterproductive implementation.”It is all the more important since academic interests on the two sides of the Atlantic are “neither identical nor fully aligned,” Matei added. “This is not insurmountable; it simply requires work to articulate the details of this privileged cooperation, including its governance and funding frameworks, as well as its substantive content in education and research.”Related articlesCanada looks to deepen research and education links with the EUZaharieva hopes for a Horizon Europe deal in 2026Canada might participate in European Research Council schemes, for example, which was not on offer in the present Horizon Europe association agreement. But “there would have to be something in it for the EU,” Browne said. “They don’t want to be funding projects outside of the EU where intellectual property is going to sit outside of the EU. There has to be some kind of transfer of knowledge.”But access to funding will not by itself resolve all the practical difficulties of working together, said Björnmalm. “For researchers and students, these include visas and residence arrangements, recognition of qualifications and study periods, and the conditions for pursuing a research career across borders,” he said. “For universities, there is scope for more predictable access to shared laboratories, computing and research data, and stronger support for joint doctoral training and long-term institutional partnerships.”Linda Doyle, provost and president of Trinity College Dublin, said Europe should strive for the “closest possible expression” of this new political alliance. “If Europe is serious about recovering its voice and its place in the world, it needs to be strongly allied with countries who share its values and its vision for a stable, rules-based, peaceful world.”
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