The RTW Podcast

At 49, Karen Peterson was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer. Two years later it was stage IV, with a prognosis measured in months. Karen tells Stephanie Sirota how biomarker testing and a Phase 1 immunotherapy trial saved her life, why she walked out on her original oncologist, and what underrepresentation in clinical trials looks like up close. She also explains how Karen's Club, a New York City nonprofit and 2026 grantee partner of the RTW Foundation, helps patients of color use their own test results to make informed decisions about trials.

PODCAST TEAM

Producer: Devon Leaver

• Editor: Dominique Guerra
• Production Coordinator: YingYu Lin
• Production Support: Annabelle Chan
• Research Consultant: Chris Liu, Senior Research Analyst, RTW Investments
• Story Consultant: Sarah Garwood, Director of Community Engagement, RTW Foundation

Featuring: Karen Peterson, Founder and Chief Patient Advocate, Karen's Club, moderated by Stephanie Sirota, Partner and Chief Business Officer, RTW Investments.

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Love our podcast? Follow us on LinkedIn at RTW Investments, LP and check out our website for the latest updates and insights.

To make sure you never miss an episode, you can subscribe to the RTW podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and most other podcast platforms.

CHAPTERS

00:00 - Introduction

01:03 - Diagnosed at 49

02:36 - The vow, and an unannounced visit

04:54 - The immunotherapy trial that saved her life

06:19 - From patient to advocate

08:35 - Who to tell, who to lean on

09:52 - Leaving her oncologist

12:05 - Patients who ran out of time

14:14 - Fear, trust, and the first call

16:02 - Why representation shapes the data

17:17 - The positive impact of peer navigation

18:08 - Working with clinicians

18:59 - How Karen's Club works

20:03 - A CAR T success story

21:38 - The RTW Foundation partnership

22:54 - What decision makers should know

23:26 - Outro

DISCLAIMER

This interview was given by Karen Peterson, Founder and Chief Patient Advocate of Karen's Club, a 2026 grantee partner of the RTW Foundation, and moderated by Stephanie Sirota, Partner and Chief Business Officer at RTW Investments. Statements reflect RTW's views and opinions as of the date hereof and not as of any future date. All expressions of opinion are subject to change without notice and are not intended to be a forecast of future events or results. The views expressed by guests are their own, and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.

Episode Description

Is there still time for investors to join the biotech rally, or have they already missed it? Rod Wong says there is still plenty of opportunity and sits down with Stephanie Sirota to make the case. They start by contrasting high-profile concerns about AI’s risks with Rod’s more measured view: manage the downside, and position early to capture the benefits. He then explains why today’s rally is built on real commercial data and fundamentals rather than the hype around technology platforms in 2020, and why cancer could be the biotech sector’s flag-bearer for the next decade. Rod discusses how FDA leadership is signaling more support for biotech innovation, how an M&A wave is reshaping the sector, and how commercial launches are outperforming expectations. Looking ahead, Rod shares what he’s watching next. He closes with his biggest-picture takeaway: that medicine is entering a golden age of innovation, one that AI’s growing impact on drug discovery productivity will only help accelerate.

Podcast Team

● Producer and Editor: Tim Young

● Cinematography: Peter Garofalo

● Assistant Camera/Swing: Kate Montgomery

● Executive Editorial Advisor: Stephanie Sirota

● Editorial Advisors: Steve Alperin and Jim Heins

● Theme Music: Ganymede by Yehezkel Raz, with additional music by APM Music.

Featuring: Rod Wong, Founder, Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer at RTW Investments, moderated by Stephanie Sirota, Partner and Chief Business Officer at RTW Investments.

Follow Us

Love our podcast? Follow us on LinkedIn at RTW Investments, LP and check out our website for the latest updates and insights.

To make sure you never miss an episode, you can subscribe to the RTW podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and most other podcast platforms.

Chapters

00:00 – Introduction

01:10 – AI and the Fate of Humanity

04:13 – Tech vs. Biotech: Value and Villains

06:27 – The RTW Model

09:35 – What's Driving the Recovery Now

12:58 – The Decade of Oncology

15:16 – FDA Leaning into Innovation

18:39 – M&A and the Eli Lilly Effect

21:08 – Launch Performance and Public Markets

24:28 – What's Next

25:21 – Closing Thoughts

Disclaimer

This interview features Rod Wong, Founder, Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer at RTW Investments, in conversation with Stephanie Sirota, Partner and Chief Business Officer at RTW Investments.

Statements by RTW personnel reflect their own views and opinions as of the date of recording and are subject to change without notice. Nothing in this episode is intended as investment advice, a recommendation to buy or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation to provide investment advisory services. The views expressed are those of the participants and do not necessarily reflect the views of RTW Investments, its affiliates, or its clients. This content is for informational purposes only.

A cancer diagnosis in your early 30s. A doctor who says chemotherapy could leave you infertile. An insurer who says you don't qualify for fertility benefits because you "aren't infertile yet." Amanda Rice lived that call and built The Chick Mission in response: a nonprofit that has funded egg-freezing cycles for nearly 900 women and helped pass fertility preservation coverage into law in 22 states and the District of Columbia. Amanda joins Stephanie Sirota to unpack both sides of what she calls being the "CEO of your own body": the self-advocacy required inside a doctor's office, and the coalition-building required inside a state legislature. They also get into the part of survivorship nobody warns you about, the depression that can follow being declared cancer-free, and what Amanda wishes every oncologist would ask a newly diagnosed patient.

Podcast Team

• Producer and Director: Devon Leaver, recorded at RTW headquarters in New York

• Editor: Dominique Guerra

• Production Coordinator: YingYu Lin

• Production Support: Annabelle Chan

• Sound Engineer: Stephanie Polonio

• Executive Editorial Advisor: Stephanie Sirota

• Special Thanks: John Wasilewski

• Theme Music: "Ganymede" by Yehezkel Raz. Additional music by APM Music.

Follow Us

Love our podcast? Follow us on LinkedIn at RTW Investments, LP and check out our website for the latest updates and insights.

To make sure you never miss an episode, you can subscribe to the RTW podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and most other podcast platforms.

Chapters

00:00 – Introduction

01:00 – "You Aren’t Infertile Yet": The Insurance Call

02:30 – From Fundraising Career to The Chick Mission

05:45 – The 48-Hour Hope Grant

07:45 – CEO of Your Own Body

09:30 – Putting Ourselves Out of Business: The State-by-State Playbook

11:45 – Texas, Arizona, and the Medicaid Gap

14:10 – Resilience After "Cancer-Free"

16:40 – Following the Science

19:15 – Rewriting the First Oncologist Conversation

21:30 – Worthy of More Than Survival

22:25 – Outro

Disclaimer

This interview features Amanda Rice, Founder and CEO of The Chick Mission, in conversation with Stephanie Sirota, Partner and Chief Business Officer at RTW Investments.

Statements by RTW personnel reflect their own views and opinions as of the date of recording and are subject to change without notice. Nothing in this episode is intended as investment advice, a recommendation to buy or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation to provide investment advisory services. The views expressed are those of the participants and do not necessarily reflect the views of RTW Investments, its affiliates, or its clients. This content is for informational purposes only.

RTW Podcast Episode 302: Innovation is the Best Medicine: Rod Wong on Driving Innovation and Fixing the Affordability Crisis

Episode Description

American medical care rests on two pillars: innovation and affordability. Get either one wrong and patients pay the price. RTW's Rod Wong joins Stephanie Sirota to unpack both. On innovation, they trace the “Innovation Treadmill,” the cycle that forces drugmakers to keep discovering new medicines as older ones lose exclusivity and go generic, and why that cycle is even more fragile than it looks. On affordability, they get into what's actually driving costs: the relative bargain Americans get on drug prices, the near-total absence of price transparency in medical care, and the revenue that flows to insurers, pharmacy benefit managers, and hospitals instead of to the innovators taking the risk.

Podcast Team

• Producer: Katerina Rosen

• Editor: Matt Colbourne

• Executive Editorial Advisor: Stephanie Sirota

• Editorial Advisor: Jim Heins

• Theme Music: Goofy by Danny Shields and Mague by Jozeque

Featuring: Rod Wong, Founder, Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer at RTW Investments, moderated by Stephanie Sirota, Partner and Chief Business Officer at RTW Investments.

Follow Us

Love our podcast? Follow us on LinkedIn at RTW Investments, LP and check out our website for the latest updates and insights.

To make sure you never miss an episode, you can subscribe to the RTW podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and most other podcast platforms.

Chapters

00:00 – Introduction

01:48 – The Drug Innovation Treadmill

05:04 – The Economics of Innovation

08:22 – Gene Therapy at a Crossroads

11:05 – Fixing Healthcare’s Incentive Problem

12:27 – A Policy Roadmap for Reform

16:21 – Rebalancing the System

18:28 – Closing Thoughts

Disclaimer

This interview features Rod Wong, Founder, Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer at RTW Investments, in conversation with Stephanie Sirota, Partner and Chief Business Officer at RTW Investments.

Statements by RTW personnel reflect their own views and opinions as of the date of recording and are subject to change without notice. Nothing in this episode is intended as investment advice, a recommendation to buy or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation to provide investment advisory services. The views expressed are those of the participants and do not necessarily reflect the views of RTW Investments, its affiliates, or its clients. This content is for informational purposes only.

Americans spend $1.4 trillion a year on food, and a growing share of that spending is decided in the grocery aisle by people holding a phone. Hunter Stoler, the certified health coach behind Health with Hunter, joins RTW's Stephanie Sirota to discuss what nearly two million followers are putting in their carts and why the largest retailers are paying attention. From losing 50 pounds and keeping it off, to reading ingredient lists instead of front-of-box claims, to the arrival of “GLP-1 friendly” shelf tags that carry no agreed definition, this is a view of how consumer demand is reshaping what mainstream grocers choose to stock.

Podcast team

Producer & Editor: Tim Young

Production Coordinator: YingYu Lin

Cinematographer: Peter Garofalo

Executive Editorial Advisor: Stephanie Sirota

Editorial Advisors: Steve Alperin, Jim Heins

Theme Music: Yehezkel Raz

Featuring: Hunter Stoler, certified health coach and creator of Health with Hunter, moderated by Stephanie Sirota, Partner and Chief Business Officer at RTW Investments.

FOLLOW US

Love our podcast? Follow us on LinkedIn at RTW Investments, LP and check out our website for the latest updates and insights.

To make sure you never miss an episode, you can subscribe to the RTW podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and most other podcast platforms.

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction

01:18 - The Thanksgiving wake-up call

02:53 - What made the weight loss stick

03:46 - Learning to shop, and what bad habits cost

06:43 - Choosing influence over the clinical path

08:56 - Obesity: willpower, environment, or the food supply

11:15 - Reading the ingredients, not the front of the box

12:32 - Better-for-you goes mainstream

14:16 - GLP-1s and the new shelf

15:23 - Protecting muscle and prioritizing protein

19:03 - Inside the grocery walkthrough

22:20 - Change requires change

Disclaimer

This interview was given by Hunter Stoler, certified health coach and creator of Health with Hunter, and moderated by Stephanie Sirota, Partner and Chief Business Officer at RTW Investments. Statements by RTW personnel reflect RTW's views and opinions as of the date of recording. All expressions of opinion are subject to change without notice and are not intended to be a forecast of future events or results. The views expressed by guests are their own, and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Nothing in this episode is medical advice. Listeners should consult a qualified healthcare professional regarding their own health decisions.

Treatment-resistant depression affects four million Americans, and until now, patients have had almost no options. Dr. Steve Levine of Compass Pathways joins RTW's Stephanie Sirota to discuss COMP360, a psilocybin-based therapy for treatment-resistant depression. From the science behind rapid and durable response, to the regulatory path, reimbursement infrastructure, and what's next for PTSD, this is a rare inside look at how the most promising new chapter in psychiatric medicine gets built.

PODCAST TEAM

Producer & Director: Devon Leaver

Editor: Dominique Guerra

Production Coordinator: Ying Yu Lin

Production Support: Annabelle Chan

Research Consultant: Connor Williams

Executive Editorial Advisor: Stephanie Sirota

Theme Music: Yehezkel Raz

Additional Music: APM Music

Featuring: Steve Levine, Chief Patient Officer of Compass Pathways, moderated by Stephanie Sirota, Partner and Chief Business Officer.

Don't forget to listen to part 1 of Stephanie's discussion, Psilocybin: Counterculture to Cutting-Edge Psychiatry.

FOLLOW US

Love our podcast? Follow us on LinkedIn at RTW Investments, LP and check out our website for the latest updates and insights.

To make sure you never miss an episode, you can subscribe to the RTW podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and most other podcast platforms.

CHAPTERS

00:00 - Introduction

1:37 – Steve Levine & Compass Pathways

5:27 - The Treatment Resistant Depression Journey

9:42 - Who are the TRD Patients?

11:06 - Holding Psychedelics to the Same Standard

18:25 - Why PTSD Is the Next Frontier

21:01 - Lifestyle's Role in Treatment Durability

22:41 - Outro

DISCLAIMER

This interview was given by Steve Levine, Chief Patient Officer of Compass Pathways, and moderated by Stephanie Sirota, Partner and Chief Business Officer at RTW Investments. Statements reflect RTW's views and opinions as of the date hereof and not as of any future date. All expressions of opinion are subject to change without notice and are not intended to be a forecast of future events or results. The views expressed by guests are their own, and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.

Are psychedelics poised to transform mental health treatment? Connor Williams joins Stephanie Sirota for a deep dive into psilocybin, the science behind its effects on the brain, and its potential in treatment-resistant depression, PTSD, and other serious conditions. As clinical trials advance and FDA pathways take shape, psychedelics have moved from counterculture to clinic, raising critical questions for patients, clinicians, and investors alike.

PODCAST TEAM

Producer & Director: Devon Leaver

Editor: Dominique Guerra

Production Coordinator: Ying Yu Lin

Production support: Annabelle Chan

Executive Editorial Advisor: Stephanie Sirota

Research Consultant: Connor Williams

Theme music: Yehezkel Raz

Additional music: APM Music

Featuring: Senior Research Analyst, Connor Williams, and moderated by Stephanie Sirota, Partner and Chief Business Officer at RTW Investments

Stay tuned for part 2 of Stephanie's discussion on Psychedelics with Dr. Steve Levine, Chief Patient Officer at Compass Pathways.

FOLLOW US

Love our podcast? Follow us on LinkedIn at RTW Investments, LP and check out our website for the latest updates and insights.

To make sure you never miss an episode, you can subscribe to the RTW podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and most other podcast platforms.

CHAPTERS

00:00 - Introduction

1:12 - Explaining Psilocybin

4:21 – Recreational Use to Medical Use

6:03 - Compass Pathways’ Story

11:18 - Getting Psychedelics to Patients

16:04 - Myth or Fact: Psilocybin

21:15 - What’s next for Psilocybin?

20:02 - Outro

DISCLAIMER

This interview was given by Senior Research Analyst, Connor Williams, and moderated by Stephanie Sirota, Partner and Chief Business Officer at RTW Investments. Statements reflect RTW's views and opinions as of the date hereof and not as of any future date. All expressions of opinion are subject to change without notice and are not intended to be a forecast of future events or results. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.

For decades, some cancers were a near-certain death sentence. Now, a new generation of cancer drugs—many coming from biotech, not big pharma—is changing that. RTW’s Chris Liu discusses ASCO 2026, and breakthroughs in pancreatic cancer, lung cancer, and other hard-to-treat tumors. What's driving the progress, why is it happening now, and what does it mean for the future of cancer care?

PODCAST TEAM

Producer & Director: Devon Leaver

Editor: Dominique Guerra

Production Coordinator: Ying Yu Lin

Production Support: Annabelle Chan

Production Assistant: Nicole M. Rosales

Executive Editorial Advisor: Stephanie A. Sirota

Research Consultant: Chris Liu

Research Consultant: Julia Harper

Research Consultant: Lauren Lee

Theme Music: Yehezkel Raz

Additional Music: APM Music

Featuring by Chris Liu, Senior Research Analyst, moderated by Stephanie Sirota, Partner, and Chief Business Officer at RTW Investments.

FOLLOW US

Love our podcast? Follow us on LinkedIn at RTW Investments, LP and check out our website for the latest updates and insights.

To make sure you never miss an episode, you can subscribe to the RTW podcast on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and most other podcast platforms.

CHAPTERS

00:00 - Introduction

1:04 – The Evolution of Cancer Treatments

3:19 - Unmet Needs in Oncology

10:03 - Treating Pancreatic Cancer

14:20 - The Importance of ASCO

16:48 - The Rise of Chinese Biotech

21:54 - Trends in Oncology

23:42 - Outro

DISCLAIMER

This interview was given by Chris Liu, Senior Research Analyst, and moderated by Partner, and Chief Business Officer Stephanie Sirota, at RTW Investments. Statements reflect RTW's views and opinions as of the date hereof and not as of any future date. All expressions of opinion are subject to change without notice and are not intended to be a forecast of future events or results. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.

Menopause, perimenopause, and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) are reshaping the conversation around women’s health and longevity. OB/GYN Dr. Stephanie Lam explains the science, symptoms, and why women’s healthcare may represent a major investing whitespace.

PODCAST TEAM

Producer & Director: Devon Leaver

Editor: Dominique Guerra

Production Coordinator: Ying Yu Lin

Production support: Annabelle Chan

Executive Editorial Advisor: Stephanie Sirota

Theme music: Yehezkel Raz

Additional music: APM Music

Featuring: Dr. Stephanie Lam, OB/GYN, Carnegie Women’s Health, moderated by Stephanie Sirota, Partner, Chief Business Officer, RTW Investments, LP.

FOLLOW US

Love our podcast? Follow us on LinkedIn at RTW Investments, LP and check out our website for the latest updates and insights.

To make sure you never miss an episode, you can subscribe to the RTW podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and most other podcast platforms.

CHAPTERS

00:00 – Introduction

00:55 - Dr. Lam’s Path to OB/GYN

2:01 - Defining Menopause and Perimenopause

5:05 - The Health Impact of HRT

8:08 - A Holistic View of Women’s Health

10:35 - GLPs and Women’s Healthcare

14:25 - Investment Whitespaces in Women’s Health

19:03 - Outro

DISCLAIMER

This interview was given by Dr. Stephanie Lam, OB/GYN at Carnegie Women’s Health in New York, and moderated by Stephanie Sirota, Partner, Chief Business Officer at RTW Investments, LP. Statements reflect RTW's views and opinions as of the date hereof and not as of any future date. All expressions of opinion are subject to change without notice and are not intended to be a forecast of future events or results. The views expressed by guests are their own, and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.

What if you could fix disease by rewriting DNA? From CRISPR to next-gen gene editing, Stephanie Sirota and Beam Therapeutics CEO John Evans break down base editing, prime editing, and the path to one-time cures.

PODCAST TEAM

Producer & Director: Devon Leaver

Editor: Dominique Guerra

Production Coordinator: Ying Yu Lin

Production support: Annabelle Chan

Executive Editorial Advisor: Stephanie Sirota

Research Consultant: Piratip Pratumsuwan

Theme music by: Yehezkel Raz

Additional music: APM Music

Featuring: John Evans, CEO and Board Member of Beam Therapeutics, moderated by Stephanie Sirota, Partner and Chief Business Officer at RTW Investments.

FOLLOW US

Love our podcast? Follow us on LinkedIn at RTW Investments, LP and check out our website for the latest updates and insights.

To make sure you never miss an episode, you can subscribe to the RTW podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and most other podcast platforms.

CHAPTERS

00:00 – Introduction

1:15 – Gene Editing, Gene Therapy, Base and Prime Editing

4:18 – Challenges in Gene Editing

6:09 – In Vivo and Ex Vivo

9:33 – What is A1AT Deficiency?

13:44 – Safety in Gene Editing

15:52 – AI and Beam Therapeutics

21:25 – John Evans’ Journey into Biotech

23:06 – Outro

DISCLAIMER

This interview was given by John Evans, CEO and Board Member of Beam Therapeutics, and moderated by Stephanie Sirota, Partner and Chief Business Officer at RTW Investments. Statements reflect RTW's views and opinions as of the date hereof and not as of any future date. All expressions of opinion are subject to change without notice and are not intended to be a forecast of future events or results. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.