Making Medicine

Boston Biotech Pulse: Shutdowns, Pfizer Deal, and the Future of Innovation


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In this week’s episode, John Stanford reports from Boston - the beating heart of global biotech - with insights from investors, scientists, and executives shaping the future of life sciences. He breaks down what the government shutdown means for FDA operations, unpacks the White House–Pfizer deal, and shares key takeaways from conversations on U.S. competitiveness, biotech investment, and the next generation of talent and technology.

How do you see policy uncertainty affecting biotech innovation?
Are U.S. policies doing enough to keep the next generation of scientists here?
What biotech breakthroughs excite you most right now?

If you're new to the Making Medicine Podcast, we're happy you're here! Follow us for more:https://x.com/MakingMedPodhttps://www.instagram.com/makingmedicinepod/https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/making-medicine-podcast/about/?viewAsMember=true 

Timestamps:
0:00 Disclaimer: Not medical or investment advice
0:23 Welcome from Boston - biotech capital of the world
1:11 Government shutdown and FDA operations
2:06 What’s paused at the FDA and why it matters
2:29 Understanding the White House–Pfizer deal
3:19 MFN pricing, TrumpRx, and tariff waivers
4:07 Pfizer’s $70B U.S. investment and industry implications
4:29 Key takeaways from Boston investor meetings
4:58 Policy uncertainty and its impact on biotech investment
5:29 Interest rate cuts and biotech’s comeback potential
6:07 The growing threat to U.S. scientific talent
6:33 The “brain drain” and its implications for America’s biotech future
7:22 Boston’s role in championing life sciences
7:50 Exciting new biotech modalities: gene therapy, RNA, and cell engineering
9:34 Policy clarity, workforce development, and scientific momentum
10:20 Closing thoughts: innovation across America
10:40 Outro and call to action 

DISCLAIMER: We’re reporting on the headlines, not making medical recommendations. For personal health questions, always consult a doctor.
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