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Making Medicine

Making Medicine

Written by: Incubate Coalition
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There's a scientific breakthrough in your medicine cabinet. But how did it get there?

At a time when medicines are helping us all live longer and healthier lives, this podcast will explore where these taken-for-granted miracles come from, how many of them almost never happened, where the life science ecosystem is taking us next, and most importantly, what it means for patients.

From chance meetings that led to new ideas, to risky investments that never pay off, hear from the people behind today's and tomorrow's treatments, vaccines, technologies, devices, and yes, cures.

In this golden age of health discovery and innovation fueled by record breaking investment in the life sciences, we'll bring guests who really understand what it means to be Making Medicine.Copyright Making Medicine Duality Hygiene & Healthy Living
Episodes
  • FDA Leadership, China & The Future of American Biotech

    FDA Leadership, China & The Future of American Biotech
    Jul 16 2026
    🇺🇸 FDA leadership, China's growing role in clinical trials, NIH research, and biotechnology innovation are shaping the future of American medicine.

    This week on the Making Medicine Podcast, John Stanford breaks down the latest developments in the search for the next FDA Commissioner, including the three reported finalists: Dr. Heidi Overton, White House health policy adviser; Dr. Jeffrey Vacirca, oncologist and CEO of New York Cancer & Blood Specialists; and Dr. Stephen Ferrara, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs and former CIA Chief Medical Officer. John explores what the next FDA leader could mean for regulatory modernization, drug development, and the future of American biotechnology.

    This episode covers:
    🔹 The latest FDA Commissioner search and what the three finalists could mean for the agency
    🔹 Congressional hearings on FDA modernization and biomedical innovation
    🔹 China's rapid expansion in global clinical trials and growing biotech competitiveness
    🔹 Patent eligibility reform, intellectual property protections, and the future of biotech investment
    🔹 NIH research funding, research security, and protecting American scientific leadership
    🔹 FDA Approvals Corner featuring new therapies from Rigel Pharmaceuticals, BeOne Medicines, AstraZeneca, Gilead Sciences, AbbVie, Haisco Pharmaceutical Group, Shionogi, Wockhardt, Bayer, GSK, and Viridian Therapeutics

    From FDA leadership and congressional hearings to intellectual property, research security, and global competition with China, this episode examines the policy decisions shaping the future of biomedical innovation. John also highlights why protecting NIH-funded research, modernizing the FDA, and strengthening America's innovation ecosystem remain essential to delivering the next generation of medicines and improving patient access.

    The episode concludes with another edition of FDA Approvals Corner, celebrating newly approved therapies across oncology, infectious disease, cardiovascular medicine, rare diseases, anesthesia, and diagnostic imaging, highlighting the continued progress being made for patients around the world.

    Watch the full episode and Join the Conversation ⬇️
    Who should lead the FDA?
    How should America compete with China's growing biotech industry?
    What role should NIH-funded research play in future drug development?
    Drop your thoughts in the comments below 👇

    👍 Like and subscribe for more conversations on biotechnology, healthcare policy, FDA news, clinical trials, pharmaceutical innovation, and life sciences.

    If you're new to the Making Medicine Podcast, we're happy you're here! Follow us for more:
    X: https://x.com/MakingMedPod
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/makingmedicinepod/
    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@makingmedicinepodcast?lang=en
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/making-medicine-podcast/about/?viewAsMember=true

    Timestamps:
    00:00 Why American Biotech Matters
    01:35 FDA Leadership Search
    03:14 FDA & China Hearings
    05:13 Clinical Trial Competition
    06:25 Patent Reform Explained
    07:52 NIH Research Security
    08:58 Why NIH Funding Matters
    09:19 FDA Approvals Corner
    11:32 July FDA Outlook

    DISCLAIMER: We’re reporting on the headlines, not making medical recommendations. For personal health questions, always consult a doctor.

    #fda #biotech #healthcarepolicy #clinicaltrials #NIH
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    13 mins
  • Japan's Biotech Transformation: Drug Pricing, Clinical Trials & Global Investment

    Japan's Biotech Transformation: Drug Pricing, Clinical Trials & Global Investment
    Jul 9 2026
    Japan's biotech industry is at a crossroads. Drug pricing reform, clinical trials, venture capital investment, and life sciences policy are all in flux as the country tries to figure out its path forward.

    This week on the Making Medicine Podcast, guest host John Guy, Incubate's Policy Director, is joined by John Gutierrez of Ascenta Capital and Josh Lipscomb, Incubate’s International Programs Manager, to recap their recent biotechnology delegation to Japan. After meeting with government officials, investors, startup founders, and policymakers across Tokyo, they discuss the challenges Japan faces in strengthening its biotech ecosystem and the open question of whether pharmaceuticals can become a bigger driver of economic growth.

    This episode covers
    🔹 Japan's biotech growth strategy — and its limitations
    🔹 Drug pricing reform and the slow pace of pharmaceutical innovation
    🔹 Drug lag and ongoing barriers to patient access
    🔹 International clinical trials and the difficulty of attracting startup investment
    🔹 Venture capital gaps in Japan's life sciences ecosystem
    🔹 Takeaways from the BIO International Convention

    One of the takeaways is that Japan has moved past simply acknowledging its biotech challenges and has started attempting policy reforms. The discussion explores whether changes to drug pricing, international clinical trial access, startup support, and venture capital could meaningfully accelerate innovation, or whether structural hurdles will continue to slow patient access to new medicines.

    The conversation also touches on Japan's presence at the BIO International Convention, where government leaders, investors, and entrepreneurs made the case for the country as a destination for biotech investment — even as it continues to compete with more established markets. As global competition for innovation intensifies, it remains to be seen how much ground Japan can gain in the future of drug development.

    Watch the full episode and Join the Conversation ⬇️
    Can Japan become one of the world's leading biotech ecosystems?
    Is drug pricing reform the key to attracting more biotech investment?
    What lessons can other countries learn from Japan's approach to life sciences innovation?
    Drop your thoughts in the comments below 👇

    👍 Like and subscribe for more conversations on biotechnology, healthcare policy, drug pricing, venture capital, clinical trials, pharmaceutical innovation, and global life sciences.

    If you're new to the Making Medicine Podcast, we're happy you're here! Follow us for more:
    X: https://x.com/MakingMedPod
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/makingmedicinepod/
    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@makingmedicinepodcast?lang=en
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/making-medicine-podcast/about/?viewAsMember=true

    Tmestamps
    00:00 Japan Drug Lag Explained
    01:45 Japan's Biotech Growth Strategy
    06:10 Drug Pricing Reform
    08:24 Why Japan Misses New Medicines
    11:42 Japan's Innovation Advantage
    13:35 Building Japan's Startup Ecosystem
    14:42 BIO International Convention
    16:28 Japan's Global Investment Strategy
    19:00 What's Next for Japan Biotech
    22:44 Outro

    DISCLAIMER: We’re reporting on the headlines, not making medical recommendations. For personal health questions, always consult a doctor.

    #biotech #Japan #DrugDevelopment #ClinicalTrials #HealthcarePolicy #Making Medicine
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    24 mins
  • Maria Thacker Goethe on Biotech Growth, Clinical Trials & US Competitiveness

    Maria Thacker Goethe on Biotech Growth, Clinical Trials & US Competitiveness
    Jul 2 2026
    Georgia's life sciences industry is growing fast. Biotech manufacturing, clinical trials, workforce development, and healthcare policy are reshaping America's innovation economy.

    This week on the Making Medicine Podcast, John Stanford sits down with Maria Thacker Goethe, President and CEO of Georgia Life Sciences, to discuss why Georgia has become one of the fastest-growing biotechnology hubs in the United States and what it will take to keep America globally competitive.

    Fresh off the BIO International Convention, Maria shares how policy conversations have evolved from niche discussions to a central focus for biotech leaders. From clinical trial modernization and manufacturing investments to workforce shortages, drug pricing, and China's expanding biotechnology capabilities, she explains why policy decisions now directly influence innovation, investment, and patient access.

    This episode covers:
    🔹 Georgia's rise as a national life sciences and biomanufacturing hub
    🔹 Why workforce development has become biotech's biggest challenge
    🔹How universities, industry, and government are building the next generation of talent 🔹China's growing influence in biotechnology and global drug development
    🔹Drug pricing, innovation, and protecting investment in breakthrough medicines
    🔹 Operation Trial Blazer and the future of faster clinical trials
    🔹Why collaboration remains America's greatest competitive advantage

    One of the biggest takeaways is that biotechnology is no longer just about scientific discovery. It's about building an ecosystem where policy, workforce, capital, manufacturing, and research all work together. Maria explains why states like Georgia are proving that biotech leadership isn't limited to Boston or San Diego, and why strategic investments in people and infrastructure will determine America's future competitiveness.

    Whether discussing clinical trial reform, rare disease innovation, or the balance between national security and global scientific collaboration, this conversation highlights how today's policy decisions will shape tomorrow's medical breakthroughs.

    Watch the full episode and Join the Conversation ⬇️
    Can Georgia become one of America's top biotech hubs?
    What is the biggest challenge facing US biotech today: workforce, capital, or policy?
    Should America focus more on innovation than restrictions to stay globally competitive?
    Drop your thoughts in the comments below 👇

    👍 Like and subscribe for more conversations on biotechnology, healthcare policy, FDA modernization, clinical trials, workforce development, drug pricing, life sciences investment, and healthcare innovation.

    If you're new to the Making Medicine Podcast, we're happy you're here! Follow us for more: X: https://x.com/MakingMedPod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/makingmedicinepod/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@makingmedicinepodcast?lang=en LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/making-medicine-podcast/about/?viewAsMember=true

    Timestamps
    00:00 Operation Trial Blazer & US Clinical Trials
    05:01 BIO 2026 and US Biotech Competitiveness
    08:46 Georgia's Life Sciences Growth
    12:07 Building the Next Biotech Hub
    18:15 Drug Pricing and Biotech Innovation
    21:29 Operation Trial Blazer Reforms
    22:11 China and US Biotech Competition
    26:18 Biotech Workforce Development
    30:06 Why Biotech Needs Skilled Trades
    33:21 Georgia Life Sciences Summit
    35:42 Closing Thoughts


    DISCLAIMER: We’re reporting on the headlines, not making medical recommendations. For personal health questions, always consult a doctor.

    #biotech #lifesciences #healthcarepolicy #clinicaltrials #drugdevelopment
    Show More Show Less
    37 mins
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