The RTW Podcast

By RTW Investments, LP

We’re witnessing a healthcare revolution, as medical and science innovations transform the lives of millions. Join as we speak to bright scientific minds, inspiring company founders and healthcare

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FAQs about The RTW Podcast:

How many episodes does The RTW Podcast have?

The podcast currently has 7 episodes available.

The RTW Podcast episodes:

July 14, 2025 From drop to double: Akero’s surging stock
When Akero’s stock dropped after a trial setback, why did RTW double down that same day? CEO Andrew Cheng joins RTW’s Rod Wong to share how he navigated the biotech storm, why he believed in efruxifermin (EFX,) and what’s next for liver disease treatment.
PODCAST TEAM
Producer: Devon Leaver
Editor: Dominique Guerra
Production Coordinator: YingYu Lin
Featuring: Andrew Cheng, CEO of Akero Therapeutics, moderated by Roderick Wong, MD, Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer 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 – Rod Wong in 2023
00:22 – Introduction
01:01 – Introducing Akero Therapeutics and MASH
03:51 – Discussing Akero’s Trials and Setbacks
08:32 – Becoming pioneers in pre-cirrhotic and cirrhotic treatment
11:05 – Challenges of being a biotech CEO
12:52 – Outro and Disclaimer
DISCLAIMER
This interview was given by Andrew Cheng, CEO of Akero Therapeutics, and moderated by Roderick Wong, MD, Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer 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.
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14min
May 05, 2025 Ditching Delay: GH001’s Instant Impact on Depression
Connor Williams was shocked when the data came back for GH001. What could this mean for the future of treatment-resistant depression? Listen to his exclusive interview with Dr. Valcheva, the CEO of GH Research, to find out.
PODCAST TEAM
Producer: Devon Leaver
Editor: Dominique Guerra
Featuring: Dr. Velichka (Villy) Valcheva MD, CEO of GH Research moderated by Connor Williams, Senior Research Analyst at RTW Investments.
Don't forget to listen to part 1 of Connor’s discussion on treatment resistant depression and psychedelics with Stephanie Sirota, Managing 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
01:09 – About GH Research
04:20 – Becoming CEO of GH Research
06:27 – The difference between GH001 and other psychedelics
11:37 – The difficulties of developing a scheduled substance
12:27 – Dealing with the stigma of psychedelics
15:31 – What else can GH001 treat?
17:26 – The future of GH Research
20:53 – Outro and Disclaimer
DISCLAIMER
This interview was given by Dr. Velichka (Villy) Valcheva MD, CEO of GH Research, and moderated by Connor Williams, Senior Research Analyst 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.
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23min
April 07, 2025 Changing Minds: Psychedelics as Legitimate Medicine
If you’re dismissing psychedelics in pharma, think again. Stephanie Sirota and Connor Williams discuss overcoming stigma and regulatory challenges, and the results of a recent clinical trial that could signal a new era for mental health care.
PODCAST TEAM
Producer: Devon Leaver
Editor: Dominique Guerra
Featuring: Connor Williams, Senior Researcher at RTW Investments, moderated by Stephanie A. Sirota, Partner and Chief Business Officer at RTW Investments.
Stay tuned for a deep dive into psychedelics with the CEO of GH Research, Dr. Velichka (Villy) Valcheva, moderated by Connor Williams.
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
00:21 - The development of psychiatric drugs
03:29 - Treatment resistant patients in the U.S. and the international market
05:50 - The need for new depression treatment drugs
08:05 - The rise of psychedelics & the impact of regulations and policies
13:58 - New areas of study in psychedelics
14:43- The valuation of psychedelics and what it means for investors
17:53 - Discovering GH Research and its novel approach to TRD
22:11 - Outro and disclaimer
DISCLAIMER
This interview was given by Connor Williams, Senior Researcher at RTW Investments, and moderated by Stephanie A. 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.
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24min
January 22, 2025 Inside the clinic: GLP-1s with Dr. Rekha B. Kumar
Dr. Rekha Kumar, Chief Medical Officer at Found, and Stephanie Sirota explore Rekha’s rise from academia, and her passion for obesity medicine. As new weight management therapies emerge, Rekha emphasizes the importance of lifestyle changes to maximize their potential.
PODCAST TEAM
Producer: Devon Leaver
Editor: Dominique Guerra
Featuring: Dr. Rekha B. Kumar, moderated by Stephanie Sirota.
Don't forget to listen to part one of Stephanie's discussion on GLP-1s with Rod Wong, Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer at RTW.
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
00:38 - Dr. Rekha Kumar’s journey into obesity medicine
04:18 - Establishing Found and treating obesity patients
08:56 - Telehealth and its impact on obesity treatment
12:59 - Understanding how GLP-1s work
17:18 - Obesity as an area of study in medicine
18:47 - Thoughts on the future of obesity medicine
20:02 - Outro
DISCLAIMER
This interview was given by Dr. Rekha B. Kumar, endocrinologist, obesity medicine specialist, and Chief Medical Officer at Found, and moderated by Stephanie Sirota, Chief Business Officer and Partner at RTW Investments. 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.
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21min
January 06, 2025 The $1 trillion GLP-1 revolution with Rod Wong
Rod Wong and Stephanie Sirota delve into the transformative potential of GLP-1 drugs, focusing on their impact on obesity and related diseases. Rod shares his insights into the next generation of obesity therapies and the opportunities they present for innovation and investment in the biotech sector.
PODCAST TEAM
Producer: Devon Leaver
Editor: Dominique Guerra
Featuring: Rod Wong, moderated by Stephanie Sirota, Chief Business Officer, and Partner at RTW Investments.
Stay tuned for part two of our discussion on GLP-1s where we welcome Dr. Rekha B. Kumar to the studio at RTW HQ.
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 - Introductions
00:39 - Understanding the importance of GLP-1s
02:27 - GLPs in the cycle of obesity drug development
05:13 - Public and private company interest in obesity drugs
06:58 - Cost benefits of GLP-1s and their Impact on the healthcare system
10:30 - The value of GLP-1s in the investor space
12:36 - GLP-1s in the international market
16:12 - The expansion of large companies into GLP-1s
18:35 - Thoughts on recent investments and the potential of Kailera Therapeutics
19:52 - Outro and disclaimer
DISCLAIMER
This interview was given by Rod Wong, Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer of RTW Investments, and moderated by Stephanie Sirota, Chief Business Officer, and Partner 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.
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21min
August 12, 2024 Revolutionizing RNA therapeutics - Avidity Biosciences
Sarah Boyce from Avidity Biosciences and Piratip Pratumsuwan from RTW Investments explore the strategic decisions and innovations that have driven Avidity's success. They cover her approach to overcoming the challenges of scaling a biotech company, the impact of Avidity’s groundbreaking work on treating rare genetic disorders, and Sarah’s vision for the future of RNA-based therapies.
PODCAST TEAM
Producer: Devon Leaver
Technical Director: Joseph Sebring
Editor: Dominique Guerra
Featuring: Sarah Boyce, President and CEO of Avidity Biosciences, and Piratip Pratumsuwan, Managing Director; Research Analyst 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 - Introducing Sarah Boyce and Piratip Pratumsuwan
01:09 - Avidity Biosciences: Pioneering RNA therapeutics
02:20 - Joining Avidity: A bold decision
03:55 - Navigating challenges and embracing opportunities
12:00 - FSHD and Fortitude
18:21 - Looking Ahead: The future of RNA therapeutics
20:10 - Championing women in biotechnology
21:43 - Credits and disclaimer
DISCLAIMER
This interview and testimonial was given by Sarah Boyce, CEO of Avidity Biosciences, a company in which RTW has made an equity investment on behalf of its managed funds. No compensation was provided to Ms. Boyce. 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.
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23min
December 01, 2023 The power of partnership – Prometheus Biosciences
Mark McKenna from Prometheus Biosciences and Josh Kennedy-Smith from RTW Investments tell us about the white-knuckle ride that is building a pharmaceutical start-up, their passion for providing better care solutions for patients, the recent deal with Merck and the power of a strong partnership with your investor.
Host: Josh Baldwin, RTW Investments
Featuring: Mark McKenna, CEO of Prometheus Biosciences and Josh Kennedy-Smith, Managing Director; Research Analyst of 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.
DISCLAIMER
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.
...more
45min

FAQs about The RTW Podcast:

How many episodes does The RTW Podcast have?

The podcast currently has 7 episodes available.