Behind the Breakthroughs

Join host Jonathan D. Grinstein, PhD, North American Editor for Inside Precision Medicine , as he uncovers the stories behind the pioneers driving the precision medicine revolution. Behind the Breakthroughs features candid interviews with seasoned veterans and rising stars, exploring their origin stories and groundbreaking contributions advancing the frontiers of patient diagnosis, treatment, and care. In every episode, Jonathan goes beyond the science, diving deep into the personal and professional journeys of those striving to make these incredible new therapies more equitable and accessible globally. You'll discover how emerging technologies in molecular diagnostics, next-generation sequencing, genetic medicines (e.g., cell and gene therapies), and AI/ML are transforming treatment and bringing precision medicine closer to the forefront of healthcare. Whether you’re a researcher at a large pharma company or small biotech startup, a clinician at a major h

Behind the Breakthroughs is a technology podcast hosted by Inside Precision Medicine, with 48 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Inside Precision Medicine hosts Behind the Breakthroughs, a technology show with 48 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #48

  David Thaisrivongs: Goldilocks and the First Oral PCSK9 Inhibitor

  Aug 12, 202642 min

  Biocatalysis has evolved from a scientific curiosity into a powerful manufacturing platform, culminating in enlicitide, the first oral macrocyclic peptide PCSK9 inhibitor. Merck’s David Thaisrivongs explains how enzyme engineering helped create this “Goldilocks” class of medicines—and could open previously inaccessible drug targets to oral therapies. Produced and hosted by Jonathan D. Grinstein, PhD Audio mixed and mastered by Erick Ziegler Brought to you by Inside Precision Medicine (SAGE Publishing) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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  Episode #47

  Beaubrun and Acharya: No Antibiotic Without a Diagnostic

  Jul 29, 202657 min

  Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) isn't going to be solved by new antibiotics alone—it also requires identifying resistant infections quickly enough to guide treatment and prevent transmission. In this episode of Behind the Breakthroughs , Anne Beaubrun, PhD, of Cepheid and Amish Acharya, PhD, of the Fleming Initiative, discuss how rapid molecular diagnostics, including the TRACE-CPE study, could bring precision medicine to infectious disease by enabling earlier detection of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE)—dangerous, last-resort antibiotic-resistant bacteria that are spreading rapidly in hospitals. They also explore the scientific, clinical, and policy challenges of making rapid diagnostics a routine part of healthcare worldwide. Produced and hosted by Jonathan D. Grinstein, PhD Audio mixed and mastered by Erick Ziegler Brought to you by Inside Precision Medicine (SAGE Publishing) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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  Episode #46

  Amit Etkin: Precision Psychiatry’s Future Isn’t Genomics—It’s Brain Activity

  Jul 15, 20261h 1m

  For decades, psychiatry has relied on symptom-based diagnosis and trial-and-error treatment, but precision medicine is set to transform mental health care by using objective biological measures—such as EEG, sleep and circadian rhythm data, and cognitive testing—with AI-driven analysis to match patients with the therapies most likely to work for them. In this episode of Behind the Breakthroughs , Alto Neuroscience founder and CEO Amit Etkin explains how biomarker-guided drug development and biologically defined patient populations could make precision psychiatry routine, improving outcomes and changing how psychiatric disorders are diagnosed and treated. Produced and hosted by Jonathan D. Grinstein, PhD Audio mixed and mastered by Erick Ziegler Brought to you by Inside Precision Medicine (SAGE Publishing) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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  Episode #45

  Michael Antonov: From Virtual World Builder to Real-World Drug Designer

  Jul 1, 20261h 2m

  AI is transforming biomedical research, but meaningful advances in drug discovery require more than just increasingly powerful algorithms—they depend on combining machine learning with physics-based simulations, mechanistic models, and rigorous experimental validation. In this episode of Behind the Breakthroughs , Michael Antonov, co-founder of Oculus and computational drug discovery company Deep Origin, shares a pragmatic perspective on AI's opportunities and limitations in medicine, explaining where it is accelerating innovation and why human expertise and experimental science remain indispensable. Produced and hosted by Jonathan D. Grinstein, PhD Audio mixed and mastered by Erick Ziegler Brought to you by Inside Precision Medicine (SAGE Publishing) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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  Episode #44

  Philippe Pouletty: Turning Europe’s Life Science Startups Into World Leaders

  Jun 17, 202659 min

  Philippe Pouletty, MD, is one of Europe’s most successful life sciences entrepreneurs, having spent more than 30 years building category-leading biotechnology and medical technology companies from breakthrough scientific innovations. His most notable achievement is Abivax, which he founded and chaired for a decade, transforming it into a global biotechnology leader that reached an approximately $10 billion market capitalization following positive Phase 3 results in 2025. Today, he is applying the same proven strategy to Carvolix, combining breakthrough implants, AI-powered software, and autonomous mini-robotics to create a next-generation cardiovascular MedTech company focused on improving outcomes for patients with heart valve disease and stroke. Produced and hosted by Jonathan D. Grinstein, PhD Audio mixed and mastered by Erick Ziegler Brought to you by Inside Precision Medicine (SAGE Publishing) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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