A troubling disconnect between medical expertise and insurance mandates is putting patients' health at risk. Policies like step therapy and prior authorization are forcing individuals into treatments not recommended by their doctors—often with devastating consequences. In this episode, we hear from a patient who endured months of suffering due to her insurer's 'fail-first' requirements. We also talk with a doctor navigating this impossible system and a biotech leader fighting to ensure innovativ...
Nov 19, 2024•27 min•Ep. 90
The horseshoe crab has endured for over 450 million years. It has survived several mass extinctions including the one that killed off the dinosaurs. One reason for their incredible resiliency is their ability to fend off bacterial infection. Their blood contains cells that clot around invading bacteria, thereby protecting them from the attacking toxins. In this episode we talk with three experts about how this animal’s unique blue blood has become essential to modern medicine. We also talk about...
Nov 05, 2024•28 min0
There are over 7000 rare diseases identified in the U.S. alone. Many of these diseases affect children, leaving families desperate for answers. In this episode, we talk with one of those families and the biotech company offering them new hope. We also talk with an expert on policy that has jump-started R&D for rare diseases. Follow us on LinkedIn , X , Facebook and Instagram . Visit us at https://www.bio.org/...
Oct 22, 2024•27 min•Ep. 89
As the global population approaches 10 billion by 2050, the challenge of providing safe, nutritious food is growing more urgent. Climate change is further straining food systems, impacting water availability, crop yields, and livestock health. In this episode, two experts discuss innovative biotech solutions aimed at addressing these pressing issues, offering hope for a sustainable path forward in feeding the world. Follow us on LinkedIn , X , Facebook and Instagram . Visit us at https://www.bio...
Oct 08, 2024•26 min•Ep. 88
Since Watson and Crick discovered DNA's double helix structure in 1953, the US has been a leader in biotechnology innovation. American excellence in this field has greatly benefited people around the world. In this episode, we talk about why this leadership position may be threatened and why that matters to our national security. Follow us on LinkedIn , X , Facebook and Instagram . Visit us at https://www.bio.org/...
Sep 24, 2024•27 min•Ep. 87
David Fajgenbaum was in his third year of medical school when he was diagnosed with a rare and life-threatening disease that began shutting down his organs, bringing him perilously close to death. Although he survived the initial episode, he faced four additional relapses, each pushing him to the brink of death. In this episode, we speak with David about his relentless journey to discover the treatment that ultimately put his disease into remission. We also explore how his personal battle inspir...
Sep 10, 2024•22 min•Ep. 86
The gut microbiome, which consists of trillions of bacteria, viruses, and fungi, plays a crucial role in our health. However, there is still much to learn about this complex ecosystem. On this episode we talk with experts who tell us where the science is—how much we know, and how much we don’t. Two companies, Bloom Science and Seres Therapeutics, are leveraging the microbiome to develop new therapeutics. The potential of the microbiome is vast, and further research and technological advancements...
Aug 06, 2024•27 min0
2023 ended with an exciting biotech breakthrough for sickle cell patients. A gene-editing therapy using the revolutionary CRISPR technology provides new hope and options for the nearly 100,000 Americans with sickle cell disease. In this episode, we talk with the company behind one of the life-changing therapies, CASGEVY, and speak with two advocates for sickle cell patients.
Jul 24, 2024•25 min0
YOU asked, and we answered. In this episode, we had our experts on standby to answer questions from you, our listeners. We discuss topics ranging from the safety of genetically modified foods (GMOs), to the new era of personalized medicine, feeding the world by 2050, and even what makes start-up companies attractive to investors. Follow us on LinkedIn , X , Facebook and Instagram . Visit us at https://www.bio.org/...
May 07, 2024•21 min•Ep. 85
With its potential to expand the horizons of what’s possible for patients, CRISPR is the new darling of biotech. Reaching an important milestone in 2023 with the FDA approval of a sickle cell treatment using CRISPR, the technology is poised to break new barriers for treating patients in the near future. In this episode we talk with two companies working together on the next generation of CRISPR: editing cells within the body. We discuss the progress and the challenge in making this breakthrough ...
Apr 23, 2024•21 min•Ep. 84
Biotech companies are addressing climate change through innovation—from carbon neutral facilities to agricultural innovations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. BIO was on the ground at the COP28 UN Climate Change Conference in Dubai to deliver the message that biotech is climate tech. Follow us on LinkedIn , X , Facebook and Instagram . Visit us at https://www.bio.org/...
Apr 09, 2024•21 min•Ep. 83
More than half of U.S. households include pets, but there has been a lack of medical treatments developed specifically for small animals. Biotech companies are working to change that with new treatment options that both borrow from and, potentially, advance human health discoveries. Follow us on LinkedIn , X , Facebook and Instagram . Visit us at https://www.bio.org/...
Mar 26, 2024•28 min•Ep. 82
The gut microbiome, which consists of trillions of bacteria, viruses, and fungi, plays a crucial role in our health. However, there is still much to learn about this complex ecosystem. On this episode we talk with experts who tell us where the science is—how much we know, and how much we don’t. Two companies, Bloom Science and Seres Therapeutics, are leveraging the microbiome to develop new therapeutics. The potential of the microbiome is vast, and further research and technological advancements...
Mar 12, 2024•27 min•Ep. 81
2023 ended with an exciting biotech breakthrough for sickle cell patients. A gene-editing therapy using the revolutionary CRISPR technology provides new hope and options for the nearly 100,000 Americans with sickle cell disease. In this episode, we talk with the company behind one of the life-changing therapies, CASGEVY, and speak with two advocates for sickle cell patients. Follow us on LinkedIn , X , Facebook and Instagram . Visit us at https://www.bio.org/...
Feb 27, 2024•25 min•Ep. 80
Bradley Burnam woke up one morning, looked in the mirror and found one ear twice it’s normal size and his face swollen and discolored. He would spend the next several years in and out of the hospital fighting a relentless infection that would not respond to available treatments. The experience took him from patient to mad scientist, to biotech company founder. In this episode, Bradley takes us through his desperate journey to find a cure. We also talk with the leader of an organization helping t...
Feb 06, 2024•28 min0
Innovative companies are using synthetic biology to engineer organisms and create new materials that could transform every sector of our economy, from health care to food and energy production. Those companies say we’ve entered a synbio revolution, and it holds potential to improve the health of people and our planet. In this episode, we talk with three synbio experts about how this convergence of genetic engineering, computer science and other scientific disciplines is making our world more sus...
Jan 23, 2024•26 min0
For biotech companies, the valley of death describes the difficult path from initial discovery to FDA approval and commercialization. It's a treacherous journey—one that even promising innovations often don't complete. Adequate funding, regulatory hurdles and the immense complexity of the biotech landscape are among the never-ending challenges faced by early stage biotechs. In this episode we talk with two biotech executives about what it’s like to struggle and survive in this rough-and-tumble i...
Jan 10, 2024•25 min0
The biotech industry offers unique opportunities for women to advance as executives and entrepreneurs. There are headwinds, however, including unequal access to venture capital. In this episode, we talk with three executives who are part of a wave of women-led companies in biotech. Our guests speak to why women’s leadership matters and the barriers that remain to breaking the glass ceiling. They also tell us about a new networking initiative—the biotech sisterhood—to catalyze women’s success in ...
Dec 26, 2023•25 min0
Bees and other pollinators are critical to our survival, with one out of every three bites of food we eat depending on pollination to produce. That’s why reports of a decline in bee populations and rising threats from pests, viruses and environmental pressures, including climate change, are alarming. In this episode we talk with an expert on bees and other pollinators about how bees are doing and why it’s important to save them. We also talk with two biotech leaders whose companies are working t...
Dec 12, 2023•27 min0
The horseshoe crab has endured for over 450 million years. It has survived several mass extinctions including the one that killed off the dinosaurs. One reason for their incredible resiliency is their ability to fend off bacterial infection. Their blood contains cells that clot around invading bacteria, thereby protecting them from the attacking toxins. In this episode we talk with three experts about how this animal’s unique blue blood has become essential to modern medicine. We also talk about...
Nov 28, 2023•28 min0
Bradley Burnam woke up one morning, looked in the mirror and found one ear twice it’s normal size and his face swollen and discolored. He would spend the next several years in and out of the hospital fighting a relentless infection that would not respond to available treatments. The experience took him from patient to "mad scientist" to biotech company founder. In this episode, Bradley takes us through his desperate journey to find a cure. We also talk with the leader of an organization helping ...
Nov 14, 2023•28 min•Ep. 79
Follow us on LinkedIn , X , Facebook and Instagram . Visit us at https://www.bio.org/ Innovative companies are using synthetic biology to engineer organisms and create new materials that could transform every sector of our economy, from health care to food and energy production. Those companies say we’ve entered a synbio revolution, and it holds potential to improve the health of people and our planet. In this episode, we talk with three synbio experts about how this convergence of genetic engin...
Oct 31, 2023•26 min•Ep. 78
Follow us on LinkedIn , X , Facebook and Instagram . Visit us at https://www.bio.org/ For biotech companies, the valley of death describes the difficult path from initial discovery to FDA approval and commercialization. It's a treacherous journey—one that even promising innovations often don't complete. Adequate funding, regulatory hurdles and the immense complexity of the biotech landscape are among the never-ending challenges faced by early stage biotechs. In this episode we talk with two biot...
Oct 17, 2023•25 min•Ep. 77
Follow us on LinkedIn , X , Facebook and Instagram . Visit us at https://www.bio.org/ The biotech industry offers unique opportunities for women to advance as executives and entrepreneurs. There are headwinds, however, including unequal access to venture capital. In this episode, we talk with three executives who are part of a wave of women-led companies in biotech. Our guests speak to why women’s leadership matters and the barriers that remain to breaking the glass ceiling. They also tell us ab...
Oct 03, 2023•25 min•Ep. 76
Follow us on LinkedIn , X , Facebook and Instagram . Visit us at https://www.bio.org/ Bees and other pollinators are critical to our survival, with one out of every three bites of food we eat depending on pollination to produce. That’s why reports of a decline in bee populations and rising threats from pests, viruses and environmental pressures, including climate change, are alarming. In this episode we talk with an expert on bees and other pollinators about how bees are doing and why it’s impor...
Sep 19, 2023•27 min•Ep. 75
Follow us on LinkedIn , X , Facebook and Instagram . Visit us at https://www.bio.org/ The horseshoe crab has endured for over 450 million years. It has survived several mass extinctions including the one that killed off the dinosaurs. One reason for their incredible resiliency is their ability to fend off bacterial infection. Their blood contains cells that clot around invading bacteria, thereby protecting them from the attacking toxins. In this episode we talk with three experts about how this ...
Sep 05, 2023•28 min•Ep. 74
Wading through the torrent of information available online is challenging for everyone. It can be hard to know what and whom to believe. We talk with the FDA Commissioner and other leaders on the frontlines of health and science about how to be more aware of false and misleading information, and its risks to our wellbeing and future innovation. And we discuss ways to stand up for science and stop the spread of misinformation.
Aug 15, 2023•26 min0
The International Space Station has been orbiting in lower earth since 1998 and has been continually inhabited since November 2000. The ISS was originally conceived as a staging base for future missions into deep space. As it turns out, lower earth orbit is an ideal setting for scientific research, from physics and meteorology to astronomy and the life sciences. In this episode we talk with three scientists whose projects are using lower earth orbit to deepen our knowledge of biotechnology and i...
Aug 01, 2023•27 min0
CRISPR has emerged as a powerful tool for altering DNA sequences with incredible precision, opening up new avenues of research into the treatment of disease. In this episode, we explore the science behind CRISPR, as well as its potential. From curing genetic disorders to creating new crop varieties, the possibilities seem endless. Our four guests today are scientists working to push these gene editing tools to the next frontier.
Jul 18, 2023•28 min0
When people were dying from AIDS in the 1980s and 90s, Congress found a way to expedite the drug approval process and saved countless lives. Established in 1992, the Accelerated Approval Program allows the FDA to speed approval of drugs for patients with serious and life-threatening conditions. In this episode we talk with the father of children with a rare disease, a company CEO working to treat rare diseases and two policy experts on Accelerated Approval.
Jul 04, 2023•23 min0
