Making Medicine

There's a scientific breakthrough in your medicine cabinet. But how did it get there? At a time when medicines are helping us all live longer and healthier lives, this podcast will explore where these taken-for-granted miracles come from, how many of them almost never happened, where the life science ecosystem is taking us next, and most importantly, what it means for patients. From chance meetings that led to new ideas, to risky investments that never pay off, hear from the people behind today's and tomorrow's treatments, vaccines, technologies, devices, and yes, cures. In this golden age of health discovery and innovation fueled by record breaking investment in the life sciences, we'll bring guests who really understand what it means to be Making Medicine.

Making Medicine is a health podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 90 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.

Unknown Host hosts Making Medicine, a health show with 90 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 #34

  How Venture Capital Backed America's Biotech Engine | How America Makes Medicine Ep. 5

  Aug 20, 202645 minS2

  Venture capital helped build America's biotech industry, but what happens when that capital stops flowing? In Episode 5 of the How America Makes Medicine series, John Stanford sits down with Michael Rome, Managing Director and Head of Therapeutics Investing at Foresite Capital, to explore the role of biotech venture capital in building America's drug development ecosystem. The episode examines the history of venture capital and biotech investing, tracing how America's unique approach to financing high-risk science helped transform academic discoveries into companies and, ultimately, new medicines. From early investment models to the rise of venture-backed biotechnology companies, the history reveals how investors began taking risks on scientific ideas that traditional pharmaceutical companies were often unwilling or unable to pursue. John and Michael then explore how biotech investors evaluate companies, scientific opportunities, and emerging drug-development technologies today. Their conversation covers early-stage biotech investing, specialist versus generalist investors, biotech IPOs, mergers and acquisitions, capital formation, and the role investors play in determining which scientific ideas move from the laboratory into clinical development. The discussion also examines how drug pricing policy, FDA policy, government regulation, and uncertainty in Washington can influence investment decisions and the availability of capital for emerging biotech companies. John and Michael discuss the importance of maintaining a strong U.S. innovation ecosystem as biotechnology becomes increasingly global, including competition for scientific talent, investment, and drug development between the United States and China. What happens to American drug development if investors become less willing to take scientific risks? We explore The history of venture capital and American biotech innovation Michael Rome and the role of therapeutics investing How venture capital helps fund scientific discovery Biotech startups and early-stage drug development How investors evaluate biotech companies and scientific opportunities Specialist versus generalist biotech investors Biotech IPOs, mergers and acquisitions Capital formation and the future of biotech investment Drug pricing policy and its impact on biotech investment FDA policy, government regulation and investment uncertainty America's biotechnology ecosystem and global competitiveness Competition for scientific talent, investment and innovation The role of venture capital in bringing new medicines to patients This episode is part of How America Makes Medicine, a seven-part series exploring the people, science, institutions, and business decisions behind 250 years of American pharmaceutical innovation. From research universities and biotechnology startups to pharmaceutical manufacturers, investors, regulators and patients, the series examines how America's medicine ecosystem was built and what it will take to keep innovating. Join the Conversation⬇️ What do you think is the biggest challenge facing biotech investors today? How important is venture capital to developing the next generation of medicines? Can the United States maintain its leadership in biotech as global competition increases? Drop your thoughts in the comments below Subscribe to the Making Medicine Podcast so you don't miss the next chapter of How America Makes Medicine, our seven-part series celebrating 250 years of American pharmaceutical innovation. If you're new to the Making Medicine Podcast, we're happy you're here! Follow us for more: https://x.com/MakingMedPod https://www.instagram.com/makingmedicinepod/ https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/making-medicine-podcast/about/?viewAsMember=true Timestamps 00:00 Introduction: Venture Capital and the Drug Development Pipeline 01:36 Headlines: mRNA Cancer Vaccine and the FDA 05:15 History: How Venture Capital Became Part of Medicine 07:29 Genentech and the Birth of Venture-Backed Biotech 09:30 Michael Rome's Path from Scientist to Biotech Investor 12:40 Why Los Angeles Is Emerging as a Biotech Hub 13:32 Inside Foresight Capital's Biotech Investment Strategy 16:00 A Day in the Life of a Biotech VC 19:15 Don't Chase the Headlines: How Investors Evaluate Biotech Data 21:30 Specialist vs. Generalist Capital in Biotech 24:51 What Happens to Medicine Without Venture Capital? 27:15 Washington's Growing Influence on Biotech Investment 30:44 The IRA and the "Pill Penalty" 33:00 China, Biotech Licensing, and Bringing Innovation to the U.S. 36:53 How Biotech Capital Gets Recycled in America 39:16 Inside a $2 Billion Biotech Exit 43:46 Closing: The Day in the Life of a VC DISCLAIMER: We're reporting on the headlines, not making medical recommendations. For personal health questions, always consult a doctor. #HowAmericaMakesMedicine #biotech #venturecapital #drugdevelopment #pharmaceuticalinnovation

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  Episode #33

  Betting on Biotech: Dr. Jeremy Levin's Playbook | How America Makes Medicine Ep. 4

  Aug 13, 202651 minS2

  Why does so much pharmaceutical innovation come from small biotech companies? And how do different parts of America's medicine ecosystem work together to turn scientific discoveries into medicines for patients? In this episode of How America Makes Medicine, John Stanford sits down with Dr. Jeremy Levin, a longtime pharmaceutical and biotechnology leader, to explore the interconnected ecosystem behind American drug innovation and the complementary roles of small biotech companies and larger pharmaceutical manufacturers. Levin's career includes leadership roles at Novartis, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Teva Pharmaceuticals, and Ovid Therapeutics. He also discusses the "String of Pearls" strategy, a targeted approach to acquisitions and partnerships designed to strengthen pharmaceutical pipelines and advance promising innovations. The conversation examines why small biotech companies are an important source of innovation, while larger pharmaceutical manufacturers contribute scientific expertise, capital, manufacturing capabilities, regulatory experience and global infrastructure. Together, these different strengths help move discoveries from research and development toward patients. The episode also explores drug pricing policy, Most Favored Nation pricing, the Inflation Reduction Act, venture capital, pharmaceutical regulation and biotech investment, including how policy uncertainty can affect the development of future medicines. Levin also discusses China's growing biotechnology capabilities and America's global innovation advantage, arguing that the United States must continue strengthening its research infrastructure, technical expertise and investment environment to remain a leader in biotechnology and drug development. We explore: Small biotech and pharmaceutical innovation Small biotech and larger pharmaceutical manufacturers Jeremy Levin and the "String of Pearls" strategy Bristol-Myers Squibb and biotech acquisitions Drug discovery and development Venture capital and biotech investment Drug pricing and pharmaceutical policy Most Favored Nation pricing and the Inflation Reduction Act NIH, FDA and America's research ecosystem China's growing role in biotechnology America's global biotechnology advantage Innovation, investment and patient access How America Makes Medicine is a seven-part series exploring the people, science, institutions and business decisions behind 250 years of American pharmaceutical innovation. From research universities and biotechnology startups to pharmaceutical manufacturers, investors, regulators and patients, the series examines how America's medicine ecosystem was built and what it will take to keep innovating. Technical note: Near the end of the episode, Dr. Levin loses his internet connection and continues the conversation by phone. His video is temporarily replaced with a still image while the conversation continues. Watch the full episode and let us know your thoughts below ⬇️ What role should small biotech companies play in America's future drug-development strategy? Can the United States maintain its biotechnology advantage as global competition increases? Drop your thoughts in the comments below Subscribe to the Making Medicine Podcast so you don't miss the next chapter of How America Makes Medicine, our seven-part documentary series celebrating 250 years of American pharmaceutical innovation. If you're new to the Making Medicine Podcast, we're happy you're here! Follow us for more: X: https://x.com/MakingMedPod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/makingmedicinepod/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@makingmedicinepodcast?lang=en LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/making-medicine-podcast/about/?viewAsMember=true Timestamps 00:00 Jeremy Levin and America's Biotech Innovation Engine 00:38 Jeremy Levin's Career in Pharmaceutical Innovation 03:04 The "String of Pearls" Strategy 05:37 The Birth of America's Biotechnology Industry 07:19 Why Patients Drive Drug Development 11:56 How Biotech Acquisitions Strengthen Drug Pipelines 16:20 Small Biotech and Larger Pharmaceutical Manufacturers 20:20 Why Small Biotech Drives Drug Innovation 21:43 Drug Pricing, Policy and Biotech Investment 28:10 How Policy Uncertainty Affects Drug Development 38:35 Biotech in the Balance: America's Innovation Advantage 40:57 NIH, FDA and America's Research Ecosystem 42:20 China and the Global Biotechnology Race 46:58 Protectionism and the Future of Innovation 49:09 How America Can Compete Through Innovation 50:44 The Football Analogy: Who Will Win? DISCLAIMER: We're reporting on the headlines, not making medical recommendations. For personal health questions, always consult a doctor. #HowAmericaMakesMedicine #MakingMedicine #biotech #drugdevelopment #pharmaceuticalinnovation #lifesciences #medicalinnovation #biotechnology

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  Episode #32

  The Relay Continues: Building Biotechs That Save Lives | How America Makes Medicine Ep. 3

  Aug 6, 202654 minS2

  Every breakthrough medicine begins with a scientific discovery. But turning that discovery into a *treatment* that reaches patients*requires navigating one of the most challenging journeys in medicine. Before a new therapy can change lives, promising science must attract funding, become a startup company, navigate years of development, survive the *"Valley of Death,"* scale manufacturing, and ultimately secure the support of larger pharmaceutical companies capable of bringing lifesaving treatments to patients around the world. In Episode 3 of How America Makes Medicine, John Stanford sits down with Sheila Mikhail, serial biotech entrepreneur and co-founder of AskBio, Bamboo Therapeutics, Chatham Therapeutics, and M34, to explore what it really takes to build a biotech company from groundbreaking science. Drawing from decades of experience gene therapy, Sheila shares how perseverance, early-stage investment, scientific innovation, and smart partnerships help move promising discoveries from university laboratories to patients. We explore: The real journey from scientific discovery to approved medicine Why the "Valley of Death" threatens breakthrough innovations How SBIR funding helps launch biotech startups Why early-stage companies eventually partner with Big Pharma The future of gene therapy and Alzheimer's research Manufacturing innovation and lowering the cost of advanced medicines America's biotechnology ecosystem and global competition How AI could transform drug development One of the conversation's strongest themes is that great science alone is never enough. Every successful medicine requires scientists, entrepreneurs, investors, regulators, and pharmaceutical companies working together to move discoveries from the laboratory to patients. This episode is part of How America Makes Medicine, a special editorial series from the Making Medicine Podcast exploring the people, policies, discoveries, and innovations shaping the future of American medicine. Watch the full episode and let us know your thoughts below ⬇️ Why do you think so many promising medical discoveries never become medicines? Should America invest more in early-stage biotechnology? What breakthrough technology will define the next generation of medicine? Drop your thoughts in the comments below Subscribe to the Making Medicine Podcast so you don't miss the next chapter of How America Makes Medicine, our seven-part documentary series celebrating 250 years of American pharmaceutical innovation. If you're new to the Making Medicine Podcast, we're happy you're here! Follow us for more: X: https://x.com/MakingMedPod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/makingmedicinepod/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@makingmedicinepodcast?lang=en LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/making-medicine-podcast/about/?viewAsMember=true Timestamps 00:00 Patients Don't Care Where Medicine Comes From 00:35 Why Every Medical Breakthrough Needs an Entrepreneur 01:54 The Bayh-Dole Act and the Birth of Modern Biotech 04:40 How AskBio Was Founded 07:05 Betting on Gene Therapy Before Anyone Else 11:10 Building Biotech Companies Without Venture Capital 16:30 Why SBIR Funding Saves Medical Innovation 19:10 Is China Winning the Biotech Race? 24:20 Lower Drug Costs Through Better Innovation 26:10 AI, Gene Therapy & the Future of Drug Development 34:00 Making Gene Therapies Affordable Worldwide 39:10 When Should a Startup Partner With Big Pharma? 43:40 Lessons From Selling AskBio to Bayer 50:15 AI, Innovation & The Next Generation of Medicine DISCLAIMER: We're reporting on the headlines, not making medical recommendations. For personal health questions, always consult a doctor. #HowAmericaMakesMedicine #biotech #genetherapy #drugdiscovery #medicalinnovation #healthcarepolicy #sbir #biotechnology #pharmaceuticalinnovation #innovation

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  Episode #31

  How Research Universities Power America’s Innovation Engine | How America Makes Medicine Ep. 2

  Jul 30, 202643 minS2

  Every breakthrough medicine starts somewhere. Discover how research universities, NIH funding, and American innovation change lives. Every new medicine’s journey begins long before it reaches a patient. In Episode 2 of our How America Makes Medicine series, John Stanford sits down with Kate Hudson of the Association of American Universities (AAU) to explain why research universities are one of America's greatest strategic advantages. From federally funded NIH research to technology transfer, startups, biotechnology companies, and ultimately life-saving medicines, this conversation reveals the innovation pipeline that has powered American pharmaceutical leadership for generations. The discussion explores why curiosity-driven research matters, how the Bayh-Dole Act transformed commercialization and why America faces increasing competition from China in scientific research and biotechnology. Whether you're interested in biotech, healthcare policy, drug discovery, academic research, or the future of American competitiveness, this episode explains why basic research remains one of the country's most important long-term investments. Topics include: NIH and NSF research funding Research universities and scientific discovery Technology transfer and commercialization Drug discovery and pharmaceutical innovation Bayh-Dole Act mRNA vaccines Basic research versus applied research America's biotechnology ecosystem Competition with China The future of scientific innovation This episode is part of How America Makes Medicine, a seven-part series celebrating 250 years of American pharmaceutical innovation. If you're passionate about biotechnology, pharmaceutical innovation, healthcare policy, scientific discovery, or the history of medicine, subscribe to the Making Medicine Podcast and follow How America Makes Medicine as we continue telling the story behind the medicines that have shaped our world. Watch the full episode and let us know your thoughts below ⬇️ Why should taxpayers invest in basic scientific research? Is America doing enough to maintain leadership in biotechnology? What breakthrough medicine do you think will define the next 25 years? Drop your thoughts in the comments below Subscribe to the Making Medicine Podcast so you don't miss the next chapter of How America Makes Medicine, our seven-part documentary series celebrating 250 years of American pharmaceutical innovation. If you're new to the Making Medicine Podcast, we're happy you're here! Follow us for more: X: https://x.com/MakingMedPod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/makingmedicinepod/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@makingmedicinepodcast?lang=en LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/making-medicine-podcast/about/?viewAsMember=true Timestamps: 00:00 Why Research Universities Matter to American Pharmaceutical Innovation 01:28 Meet Kate Hudson of the Association of American Universities 04:20 The History of America's Research Universities 08:32 Why Universities Drive Scientific Discovery 10:42 NIH Funding, NSF Grants & Basic Research Explained 14:09 Why the Free Market Alone Won't Create Medical Breakthroughs 16:05 mRNA Vaccines Took Decades of Research 18:55 The True Return on Investment in Scientific Research 21:18 Why Scientific Talent Matters More Than Ever 24:10 OMB Proposal, NIH Grants & Research Stability 29:20 Why Uncertainty Slows Drug Discovery 33:12 Technology Transfer & How Universities Create Biotech Startups 35:40 Crossing the Valley of Death in Drug Development 38:10 Bayh-Dole, China & America's Innovation Advantage 41:58 Episode Wrap Up & Next Episode Preview DISCLAIMER: We're reporting on the headlines, not making medical recommendations. For personal health questions, always consult a doctor. #HowAmericaMakesMedicine #biotech #drugdiscovery #ResearchUniversities #innovation #healthcarepolicy #science #pharmaceuticalinnovation #technologytransfer

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  Episode #30

  How America Makes Medicine Ep. 1 | 250 Years of American Pharmaceutical Innovation

  Jul 23, 202620 minS2

  How America Makes Medicine begins with the remarkable story of 250 years of American pharmaceutical innovation. Welcome to How America Makes Medicine, a new seven-part series from the Making Medicine Podcast celebrating 250 years of American pharmaceutical innovation. As the United States celebrates its *250th anniversary, this inaugural episode of the series traces the extraordinary journey from the medicine chest of 1776 to today's breakthrough therapies. Throughout How America Makes Medicine, we'll explore the discoveries, scientists, entrepreneurs, manufacturers, regulators, and patients who transformed medicine from simple remedies into one of humanity's greatest achievements. Part I of How America Makes Medicine follows some of the most significant milestones in pharmaceutical history, from the commercialization of insulin and the biotechnology revolution to monoclonal antibodies, HIV therapies, precision medicine, the Human Genome Project, gene therapy, and mRNA vaccines. Along the way, we examine why manufacturing, scientific collaboration, and decades of research are just as important as the discoveries themselves in bringing new medicines to patients. This episode covers How insulin changed diabetes from a fatal diagnosis into a manageable disease The biotechnology revolution and recombinant DNA The birth of modern biotech Monoclonal antibodies and targeted medicine HIV therapies and one of medicine's greatest public health successes The Human Genome Project and precision medicine Gene therapy and cell therapy The decades of research behind mRNA vaccines Why manufacturing, regulation, and scientific collaboration remain essential to the next generation of medical breakthroughs Throughout How America Makes Medicine, we explore not only breakthrough discoveries but also the people, companies, manufacturers, researchers, regulators, and patients who made those discoveries possible. This seven-part documentary series celebrates 250 years of American pharmaceutical innovation and highlights how curiosity, entrepreneurship, manufacturing excellence, and scientific persistence continue to improve lives around the world. If you're passionate about biotechnology, pharmaceutical innovation, healthcare policy, scientific discovery, or the history of medicine, subscribe to the Making Medicine Podcast and follow How America Makes Medicine as we continue telling the story behind the medicines that have shaped our world. Catch the full episode and Join the Conversation ⬇️ Which medical breakthrough do you think has had the greatest impact on humanity? What innovation do you believe will define the next generation of medicine? Which chapter of pharmaceutical history would you like us to explore in a future episode? Drop your thoughts in the comments below Subscribe to the Making Medicine Podcast so you don't miss the next chapter of How America Makes Medicine, our seven-part documentary series celebrating 250 years of American pharmaceutical innovation. If you're new to the Making Medicine Podcast, we're happy you're here! Follow us for more: X: https://x.com/MakingMedPod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/makingmedicinepod/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@makingmedicinepodcast?lang=en LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/making-medicine-podcast/about/?viewAsMember=true Timestamps: 0:00 250 Years of American Pharmaceutical Innovation | Introduction 0:52 Benjamin Rush & Colonial Medicine | America's First Medical Innovator 2:32 American Apothecaries to Modern Drug Manufacturing 4:05 The U.S. Patent System & Pharmaceutical Innovation 5:06 FDA History | Frances Kelsey, Drug Safety & Public Trust 6:23 Eli Lilly, Insulin & the Birth of Modern Pharmaceutical Manufacturing 8:53 The Biotechnology Revolution | Recombinant DNA & Genentech 11:32 Monoclonal Antibodies, HIV Therapies & Modern Biopharmaceuticals 13:15 The Human Genome Project, Precision Medicine & Gene Therapy 14:45 mRNA Vaccines | Why Medical Breakthroughs Take Decades 16:08 The Five Pillars of American Pharmaceutical Innovation 17:35 Clinical Trials, Patients & The Next 250 Years of Medicine 19:40 How America Makes Medicine | Episode 2 Preview & Subscribe DISCLAIMER: We’re reporting on the headlines, not making medical recommendations. For personal health questions, always consult a doctor. #HowAmericaMakesMedicine #pharmaceuticalinnovation #biotechnology #healthcareinnovation #humangenomeproject

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