In this episode of the Vital Health Podcast, host Duane Schulthess sits down with patient advocate and Global Liver Institute founder Donna Cryer. They trace her journey from Harvard and the DOJ prosecutor’s office to becoming a liver transplant recipient and a leading voice in healthcare policy. Donna shares insights on orphan drug incentives, the Inflation Reduction Act’s impact on research, the politicization of mRNA innovation, and the current crisis in NIH funding.

Key Topics:
- Patient Advocacy Evolution: Donna reflects on her transition from DOJ prosecutor to founding the Global Liver Institute and amplifying patient voices in healthcare policy.
- Rare Disease Incentive Gaps: An examination of the orphan drug exclusivity landscape and its impact on treatment pipelines for ultra‑rare conditions.
- Inflation Reduction Act Fallout: Insights into how Medicare price controls under the IRA are reshaping research priorities and patient access for older and rare disease populations.
- mRNA Platform Politics: A discussion on the politicization of mRNA vaccines and the threat this poses to future cancer and therapeutic innovations.
- NIH Funding Emergency: A look at the dramatic NIH budget cuts, stalled clinical trials, and the broader implications for biomedical research.

Throughout this episode, Donna Cryer and Duane Schulthess unpack the challenges and potential solutions shaping patient‑driven policy, drug innovation, and research funding – insights critical for anyone invested in the future of healthcare. Patient advocates, healthcare policymakers, and industry leaders will find this discussion indispensable for navigating the complexities of innovation incentives and research ecosystems.

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