Making Medicine

What does the future hold for the dynamic world of life sciences innovation?

Sally Allain, the head of JLABS at Johnson and Johnson Innovation, is here to discuss industry insights, from starting at a small biotech startup to her current role in supporting early-stage life science companies. The episode delves into the world of life sciences, innovation, and the role of JLABS in supporting early-stage companies. Sally shares her career journey, which started at a small biotech startup and eventually led her to her current role. She highlights the unique aspects of JLABS, which provide turnkey facilities, expert mentorship, and access to a network of resources for entrepreneurs and early-stage companies.

Join us as we discuss:

• Sally Elaine discusses her career journey, from starting at a small biotech startup to becoming the head of JLABS at Washington, DC, under Johnson & Johnson Innovation.
• The episode highlights the unique role of JLABS, which provides turnkey facilities, expert mentorship, and access to a network of resources for early-stage companies in the life sciences sector.
• Sally shares insights into the challenges of raising capital, the need for diversity in investments, and the promising innovations in areas like AI for drug discovery, in silico molecule design, clinical trial diversity, women's health, and gene and cell therapy.

How can we create better outcomes for cancer patients?

That’s the big goal Mohit Manrao is aiming for in his work as SVP & Head of US Oncology at AstraZeneca. In this episode, Mohit shares his perspective on the future of oncology and the pursuit of patient-centric care in a post-Inflation Reduction Act world.

Join us as we discuss:

• AstraZeneca's goal of launching 15 new drugs by 2030
• Solving for disparities in care and improving health equity
• Timeline for drug development and its effect on patient outcomes

Can we create a future healthcare system that is accessible and affordable for all patients?

That’s the major question that Mary R. Grealy, CEO of Healthcare Leadership Council, is trying to answer through her work. Mary, a former speech pathologist turned lawyer, shares insights from her unique journey from the healthcare field to advocating for patient-centered, value-based healthcare systems. In this wide-ranging conversation, Mary shares the challenges faced in the industry but also her hope for a future where patients are empowered through collaboration and innovation.

Join us as we discuss:

• Why collaboration between stakeholders is key
• Practical tips for advocates to make a compelling case to Congress
• The potential effects of the new price-setting system
• The impact of proposed legislation on treatments and cures

With recent movement in healthcare including President Biden’s Cancer Moonshot and the Inflation Reduction Act, one thing is clear: American healthcare is at a crossroads.

As we begin to tackle the conversation of healthcare reform, how can we rebuild the system around patients?

In this episode, MacKay Jimeson, Executive Director of The Patient Access & Affordability Project at Patients Rising, joins the show to explain how the system was never designed for patients, the benefits of a patient-centric system, and what the future holds for the industry.

Join us as we discuss:

• Why patient-centricity is notably absent in our healthcare system
• MacKay’s op-ed in response to President Biden’s SOTU
• The impact of The Inflation Reduction Act and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on today’s healthcare landscape
• The true human impact of medicines

MacKay’s Op-Ed: https://www.statnews.com/2023/02/09/state-of-the-union-highlights-americas-awkward-conversation-on-science-medicine-and-financing-the-development-of-new-medicines/

MacKay’s Bio:
https://accessandaffordability.org/person/02-mackay-jimeson/

Even though 80% of the household decisions around health are made by women, only 4% of research and funding goes towards women’s health research.

In today’s episode, Natalie Buford-Young, Chief Executive Officer at Springboard Enterprises, joins us to discuss Springboard’s mission and how they are exploring a designated network to create pathways for emerging female innovators.

We also get to hear about Natalie's experience testifying on the Hill to advocate for reducing the decline of women's entrepreneurship.

Join us as we discuss:
· Innovation in digital health and life sciences;
· The Women's Health Innovation Coalition; and
· Increasing diversity in clinical trials.

Runaway inflation and economic instability is terrible for just about everybody, but are efforts to tackle this problem creating more?
To answer that, Kirsten Axelsen, Senior Policy Advisor at DLA Piper, joins the show to break down all the effects The Inflation Reduction act is having upon medicine,
We discuss:

• The potential negative impacts on small-molecule medicine
• How the act affects patents and generic medicine
• Why we may see declines in small-molecule medicine research

John was at the JP Morgan conference and is here to discuss the key takeaways of the Inflation Reduction Act: the small-molecule penalty, the value of small-molecule drugs, the importance of incentivizing post-approval research, intellectual property, and non-coverage decisions at CMS. You’ll also hear John’s take on the demand for a more pro-patient agenda. There was a lot of focus on the role of policy and government, specifically in relation to the inflation reduction act and its impact on the life science and venture capital industries.

Ready to reaffirm its values, Incubate will be focusing its energy on working with the White House and Congress to make necessary amendments to the legislation. They’ll also have a focus on education and awareness to ensure that policymakers understand the critical role they play in the healthcare landscape.

Join us as we discuss:

• Why is there excitement for 2023 in the biotech sector, but also some anxiety?
• How does the organization, Incubate, plan to address the inflation reduction act?
• What Congress can be doing to create a more pro-patient agenda?

How will the Inflation Reduction Act affect life sciences startups, current and future revenues, and drug investment? What will happen to patients amidst the aftermath of unintended consequences? There aren’t too many people who know more about the ins and outs than the fine folks at DLA Piper.

One of the biggest interventions in drug pricing since the Medicare Modernization Act was passed, listen to the inside scoop on what this means for the future of drugs.

Join us as we discuss:
-What drug price negotiations will look like under the act
-How brand competition will play out
-Which drugs and stakeholders will be affected

When you’re working to make good investments in bio and med tech there are three key pillars to consider: science, the management team and finance. 
But how does it all come together in the end? 
Find out in the latest episode with Christine Brennan, Managing Director, Vertex Venture HC as we talk about Vertex’s investment philosophy, why DEI inclusion is vital for industry, and what investments could look like for the rest of 2022.
Join us as we discuss:
Christine’s journey to becoming the Managing Director at Vertex
The investment firm’s philosophy around Bio Tech, therapeutic investments and MedTech
Why it’s so important for the next generation to have women in tech


As we continue this journey together, we want to hear from you, the listener. Email [email protected] or [email protected] what’s top of mind, what story you want to hear, or what you find interesting!
To hear more interviews like this one, subscribe to Making Medicine on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast platform.

Everyone wants to make healthy choices. But we don't always have an opportunity to make healthy choices. 
In today’s episode, we speak with Dr. Jerome Adams, Executive Director of Health Equity Initiatives at Purdue University and the 20th Surgeon General of the United States, about the need for proactive accessible health care, the economic burden of inaccessible healthcare, and why people need to know you care, before they care about what you know

As we continue this journey together, we want to hear from you, the listener. Email [email protected] or [email protected] what’s top of mind, what story you want to hear, or what you find interesting!
To hear more interviews like this one, subscribe to Making Medicine on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast platform.