How New Drugs are Made

It takes decades of research, millions of dollars in funding, and numerous failed attempts to develop and approve a new drug for patients. Private investors have helped fund pharmaceutical research and development to bring patients life-saving medicine – but recent policy changes may slow that process down. 

Venture capitalist Stan Fleming explains why the industry needs this investment to fund projects that can deliver new therapies to patients with rare and chronic diseases. And, why new policies could deter investors from funding high-risk research projects, particularly for Alzheimer’s and cancer. 

Plus, hear from scleroderma advocate Amy Gietzen, as she recaps her time at the We the Patients Fly-In.

Hosts: 

Terry Wilcox, Executive Director, Patients Rising

Dr. Robert Goldberg, “Dr. Bob,” Co-Founder and Vice President of the Center for Medicine in the Public Interest

Kate Pecora, Field Correspondent

Guests: 

Standish Fleming, Founding managing member of Forward Ventures

Amy Gietzen, advocate and patient living with systemic scleroderma

Leslie Davis-Primo, Patient Correspondent

Links: 

Patient groups sue feds to crack down on insurer, PBM copay adjustment programs

Tami’s story: Chronic pain patient becomes advocate for health care reforms

Stan Fleming’s op-ed: The outsized effect of ‘modest’ price controls on pharmaceutical innovation

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The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the guest(s)/ author(s) and do not reflect the official policy or position of Patients Rising, nor do the views and opinions stated on this show reflect the opinions of a guest’s current or previous employers.