In this week’s episode, John Stanford breaks down the latest headlines across Washington, the FDA, NIH, and industry. We cover the Trump cabinet’s tariff-drug pricing push, BARDA’s funding of vaccine research following recent pivots away from mRNA vaccines, a hopeful return of biotech IPOs, and NIH program cuts. Plus, we debut the FDA Approvals Corner celebrating new medicines reaching patients, and spotlight the looming September deadline for the SBIR and STTR programs.

What do you think about tariffs being tied to drug pricing?
Should Congress extend SBIR funding as-is, or rethink the program? Which FDA approval from July do you think will have the biggest impact?

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Timestamps:
0:05 Welcome to Making Medicine
0:38 Trump cabinet links tariffs & drug pricing
2:24 BARDA shifts vaccine funding away from mRNA
3:36 First biotech IPO in 6 months: LB Pharmaceuticals
4:56 Policy headwinds in SEC filings & MassBio snapshot
5:17 NIH cuts minority biomed research program
5:43 Launch of FDA Approvals Corner
6:25 July FDA approvals roundup
7:45 Policy Spotlight: SBIR & STTR programs
8:46 The Innovate Act and foreign risk concerns
9:42 Extension vs. compromise for SBIR reauthorization
10:27 Closing thoughts & call for comments *We’re reporting on the headlines, not making medical recommendations. For personal health questions, always consult a doctor.”