Government Shutdown, SBIR Expiration, and Trump’s Pharma Moves | Making Medicine Podcast

This week, John Stanford breaks down the government shutdown and its impact on FDA, NIH, and biotech innovation. He also covers the surprising lapse of the SBIR program, what it means for early-stage biotech funding, and the fierce political debate around its future. Plus, we analyze President Trump’s deal with Pfizer on “Most Favored Nation” drug pricing and his latest tariff threats.What does all this mean for the future of U.S. biotech competitiveness?How should policymakers balance affordability and innovation in drug pricing?Do you think the SBIR program will be quickly revived, or is this the start of bigger changes?What impact will tariffs and MFN drug pricing have on biotech investment?If you're new to the Making Medicine Podcast, we're happy you're here! Follow us for more:https://x.com/MakingMedPodhttps://www.instagram.com/makingmedicinepod/https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/making-medicine-podcast/about/?viewAsMember=trueTimestamps:0:00 Welcome to Making Medicine0:21 Government shutdown and biotech impact1:05 FDA furloughs and regulatory slowdowns2:00 NIH delays and research funding concerns2:40 Investor confidence during shutdowns2:57 SBIR & STTR programs expire3:22 Political stalemate in the Senate3:50 Why SBIR matters for biotech innovation4:05 Trump & Pfizer announce MFN drug pricing deal5:06 Trump RX website and drug access6:05 Market reactions and industry uncertainty6:36 Trump’s 100% pharma tariff threat7:40 Section 232 investigations on drugs and PPE7:59 Closing thoughts & audience Q&ADISCLAIMER: We’re reporting on the headlines, not making medical recommendations. For personal health questions, always consult a doctor.