Trump’s Tariffs, NIH Cuts, FDA Approvals & SBIR Debate | This Week in Making Medicine

In this week’s episode, John Stanford breaks down the latest headlines across Washington, the FDA, NIH, and industry. We cover the Trump cabinet’s tariff-drug pricing push, BARDA’s funding of vaccine research following recent pivots away from mRNA vaccines, a hopeful return of biotech IPOs, and NIH program cuts. Plus, we debut the FDA Approvals Corner celebrating new medicines reaching patients, and spotlight the looming September deadline for the SBIR and STTR programs.What do you think about tariffs being tied to drug pricing?Should Congress extend SBIR funding as-is, or rethink the program? Which FDA approval from July do you think will have the biggest impact?If you're new to the Making Medicine Podcast, we're happy you're here! Follow us for more: https://x.com/MakingMedPod https://www.instagram.com/makingmedicinepod/ https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/making-medicine-podcast/about/?viewAsMember=trueTimestamps:0:05 Welcome to Making Medicine0:38 Trump cabinet links tariffs & drug pricing2:24 BARDA shifts vaccine funding away from mRNA3:36 First biotech IPO in 6 months: LB Pharmaceuticals4:56 Policy headwinds in SEC filings & MassBio snapshot5:17 NIH cuts minority biomed research program5:43 Launch of FDA Approvals Corner6:25 July FDA approvals roundup7:45 Policy Spotlight: SBIR & STTR programs8:46 The Innovate Act and foreign risk concerns9:42 Extension vs. compromise for SBIR reauthorization10:27 Closing thoughts & call for comments *We’re reporting on the headlines, not making medical recommendations. For personal health questions, always consult a doctor.”