Tariffs, MFN & FDA Delays: Why Biotech Is at Risk

Tariffs, MFN pricing, and FDA delays are colliding, and small biotech is paying the price. One company already collapsed. More could follow.In this episode, we break down how Section 232 pharmaceutical tariffs, the push to codify Most Favored Nation (MFN) pricing, and new proposals in the FDA budget are reshaping biotech in real time.The stakes are high. These policies don’t just exist on paper, they directly impact where drugs are developed, how capital flows, and whether small biotech companies survive.We explore how tariffs could strain supply chains and smaller companies, how MFN could change global pricing and investment behavior, and how a proposed expedited IND pathway could help keep early-stage drug development in the United States.But the biggest signal comes from a real-world example: Kezar Life Sciences, a biotech that shut down after FDA delays disrupted its timeline and investor support.This episode makes one thing clear: policy is now one of the biggest drivers of innovation or failure in biotech.When the system works, it accelerates breakthroughs. When it doesn’t, it pushes capital, companies, and science elsewhere.Join the Conversation ⬇️Are U.S. biotech policies slowing down the industry more than global competitors like China?If a company shuts down because of regulatory delays, is that a policy failure or just the cost of doing business?Would you accept higher risk in early drug development if it meant faster innovation and more breakthroughs?Drop your thoughts in the comments below 👇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=trueTime Stamps0:00 Episode Introduction1:36 Section 232 Pharma Tariffs Explained2:47 Onshoring, MFN Deals, & Exemptions4:57 The Impact on Small Biotechs & VC8:17 Why Codifying MFN is Dangerous9:56 Promising FDA Budget Proposals11:32 Expedited INDs to Keep Trials in the US15:49 The Fatal Cost of FDA Delays17:52 Proposed NIH Budget Cuts & Grant Changes20:45 The Big Disconnect in Biotech PolicyDISCLAIMER: We’re reporting on the headlines, not making medical recommendations. For personal health questions, always consult a doctor.#biotechpolicy #fda #drugdevelopment #healthcarepolicy #china #BiotechInnovation