The Relay Continues: Building Biotechs That Save Lives | How America Makes Medicine Ep. 3

🇺🇸 Every breakthrough medicine begins with a scientific discovery. But turning that discovery into a *treatment* that reaches patients*requires navigating one of the most challenging journeys in medicine.Before a new therapy can change lives, promising science must attract funding, become a startup company, navigate years of development, survive the *"Valley of Death,"* scale manufacturing, and ultimately secure the support of larger pharmaceutical companies capable of bringing lifesaving treatments to patients around the world.In Episode 3 of How America Makes Medicine, John Stanford sits down with Sheila Mikhail, serial biotech entrepreneur and co-founder of AskBio, Bamboo Therapeutics, Chatham Therapeutics, and M34, to explore what it really takes to build a biotech company from groundbreaking science. Drawing from decades of experience gene therapy, Sheila shares how perseverance, early-stage investment, scientific innovation, and smart partnerships help move promising discoveries from university laboratories to patients.We explore:🔹 The real journey from scientific discovery to approved medicine🔹 Why the "Valley of Death" threatens breakthrough innovations🔹 How SBIR funding helps launch biotech startups🔹 Why early-stage companies eventually partner with Big Pharma🔹 The future of gene therapy and Alzheimer's research🔹 Manufacturing innovation and lowering the cost of advanced medicines🔹 America's biotechnology ecosystem and global competition🔹 How AI could transform drug developmentOne of the conversation's strongest themes is that great science alone is never enough. Every successful medicine requires scientists, entrepreneurs, investors, regulators, and pharmaceutical companies working together to move discoveries from the laboratory to patients.This episode is part of How America Makes Medicine, a special editorial series from the Making Medicine Podcast exploring the people, policies, discoveries, and innovations shaping the future of American medicine.Watch the full episode and let us know your thoughts below ⬇️Why do you think so many promising medical discoveries never become medicines?Should America invest more in early-stage biotechnology?What breakthrough technology will define the next generation of medicine?Drop your thoughts in the comments below 👇👍 Subscribe to the Making Medicine Podcast so you don't miss the next chapter of How America Makes Medicine, our seven-part documentary series celebrating 250 years of American pharmaceutical innovation.If you're new to the Making Medicine Podcast, we're happy you're here! Follow us for more:X: https://x.com/MakingMedPodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/makingmedicinepod/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@makingmedicinepodcast?lang=enLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/making-medicine-podcast/about/?viewAsMember=trueTimestamps00:00 Patients Don't Care Where Medicine Comes From00:35 Why Every Medical Breakthrough Needs an Entrepreneur01:54 The Bayh-Dole Act and the Birth of Modern Biotech04:40 How AskBio Was Founded07:05 Betting on Gene Therapy Before Anyone Else11:10 Building Biotech Companies Without Venture Capital16:30 Why SBIR Funding Saves Medical Innovation19:10 Is China Winning the Biotech Race?24:20 Lower Drug Costs Through Better Innovation26:10 AI, Gene Therapy & the Future of Drug Development34:00 Making Gene Therapies Affordable Worldwide39:10 When Should a Startup Partner With Big Pharma?43:40 Lessons From Selling AskBio to Bayer50:15 AI, Innovation & The Next Generation of MedicineDISCLAIMER: We're reporting on the headlines, not making medical recommendations. For personal health questions, always consult a doctor.#HowAmericaMakesMedicine #biotech #genetherapy #drugdiscovery #medicalinnovation #healthcarepolicy #sbir #biotechnology #pharmaceuticalinnovation #innovation