MassBio’s 2025 Snapshot: VC Gravity, Policy & a Competitiveness Playbook | Kendalle Burlin O’Connell

This week, John Stanford sits down with Kendalle Burlin O’Connell (CEO & President, MassBio) to unpack the 2025 Industry Snapshot - why Massachusetts still attracts 22% of U.S. biotech VC and how advanced modalities keep the state at the cutting edge. We dig into the “flywheel” of the bioeconomy, from NIH and SBIR to FDA uncertainty, tariffs, and MFN. Kendalle lays out a unifying policy roadmap - a comprehensive competitiveness package - to keep the U.S. leading in life sciences. We also talk capital concentration, China’s rapid rise, and what it will take to avoid losing our edge in the next 2-5 years. Stick around for a candid, optimistic close on how the ecosystem rebounds.What stood out to you most from MassBio’s 2025 Snapshot?Do you agree the U.S. needs a “comprehensive competitiveness package”- and what should be in it?How are funding cuts or regulatory uncertainty affecting your team right now?If you're new to theMaking 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 Intro music & welcome0:15 Guest intro: Kendalle Burlin O’Connell, MassBio CEO1:24 2025 MassBio Snapshot: why it matters now2:12 Key stats: 22% of U.S. VC & advanced modalities lead3:45 “Massachusetts works”: optimism amid a gloomy market5:03 The biotech flywheel: how uncertainty stalls the ecosystem6:59 Funding pipeline: NIH cuts, SBIR reauth, FDA/tariffs/MFN9:58 Why biotechs need big pharma; price controls’ ripple effects12:45 Capital crunch: venture down & late-stage concentration14:51 Why NIH & ARPA-H can’t be replaced by private capital16:56 The fix: a comprehensive competitiveness package19:09 China’s rise & the 2-5 year warning22:23 MA bioeconomy impact, optimism, and outro*We’re reporting on the headlines, not making medical recommendations. For personal health questions, always consult a doctor.”*We’re reporting on the headlines, not making medical recommendations. For personal health questions, always consult a doctor.”