Episodes

Episode Title: Formulation as Strategy: Why CDMOs Matter More Than Ever Guest: Elizabeth Hickman, President & CEO, Austin Pharmaceutics Episode Overview In this episode of RealPharma, hosts Nari Oh and Ian Wendt sit down with Elizabeth Hickman, President and CEO of Austin Pharmaceutics, to unpack one of the most critical—and often misunderstood—elements of drug development: formulation and the evolving role of CDMOs. As drug molecules become more complex and solubility challenges grow, CDMOs ...

Episode Title: Paging Dr. ChaptGPT with Bryce Sady AI Adoption in Healthcare: Navigating the Present and Shaping the Future with Bryce Sady Episode Description: On today's insightful episode of RealPharma, hosts Dr. Na-Ri Oh and Ian Wendt sit down with Bryce Sady, Vice President of Product Development at PSL Group's Medical Education and Communications Division, a veteran innovator at the intersection of healthcare data, education, and AI. Together, they dive into the fascinating landscape ...

In this episode of the Real Pharma Podcast, hosts Ian Wendt and Dr. Na-Ri Oh and guest Jason Scharf delve into the evolving landscape of TechBio, exploring its definition, the rise of bio innovation, and the challenges and opportunities it presents. They discuss the shift from traditional drug development methods to innovative approaches driven by technology, the importance of adapting business models in the pharmaceutical industry, and the need for a balanced regulatory framework that fosters ...

In this conversation, Roger Estafanos discusses the evolving field of radiopharmaceuticals, highlighting their transformative impact on cancer treatment and patient care. He explains the targeted nature of these therapies, the importance of personalized medicine, and the challenges faced in regulatory processes and patient safety. The discussion also covers the role of different radioisotopes, the complexities of supply chain management, and the need for improved access to these innovative trea...

In this conversation, Aaron Burnett, from Wheelhouse DMG, discusses the rapid evolution of digital marketing in the healthcare sector, emphasizing the importance of data strategy and compliance with regulations like HIPAA. He highlights the shift from third-party data reliance to first-party data utilization, which enhances marketing effectiveness and patient engagement. The discussion also covers the need for collaboration among marketing, compliance, and IT teams to develop effective data st...

In this latest episode of RealPharma, we’re diving back into the fascinating world of AI in pharma, breaking down all the insights from our conversation with the brilliant Andree Bates! If you missed it or want to catch the highlights, this episode serves up a concise, punchy summary covering everything from predictive analytics to patient outcomes and beyond. But there's a twist. Our hosts, this time, bring a unique, fresh perspective to the conversation—you might notice something different a...

In this episode, Dr. Na-Ri Oh and Ian Wendt sit down with Philip Vyt, a renowned expert in omnichannel strategy and founder of Shyft, a consultancy specializing in omnichannel approaches for biopharma. They delve into the key concepts behind omnichannel and its distinction from multichannel, emphasizing the centrality of healthcare professionals (HCPs) in engagement strategies. Philip breaks down the importance of personalized content delivery and the role of interconnected channels in creating...

In this episode, Dr. Na-Ri and Ian Wendt welcome back Kristiaan Rawlings, from EPM Scientific to discuss the latest trends in pharma and biotech hiring. They explore the key drivers of hiring, the impact of AI and advanced analytics, and the evolving expectations of candidates. Kristiaan emphasizes the importance of change agents in the industry and shares insights on the optimistic outlook for small biotechs and oncology. The conversation also touches on strategies for candidates to navigate c...

In this episode, Ian Wendt and Dr. Na-Ri Oh interview Michael C. Barnes, Chairman of the Center for US Policy, about the US opioid crisis. They discuss the evolution of US policy on opioids, the impact of the crisis on different communities, the role of legislation and harm reduction, the accountability of the pharmaceutical industry, barriers to accessing treatment, and the importance of advocacy in addressing stigma. The conversation explores various themes related to the substance use disor...

Danny McBryan, an executive leader in the pharmaceutical industry, discusses the evolving role of medical affairs in healthcare. He highlights the importance of medical affairs in conveying the science of pharmaceutical companies and translating complex data into a meaningful narrative for healthcare providers, payers, patients, and policymakers. McBryan emphasizes the need for medical affairs to be seen as a strategic partner rather than a support function and advocates for closer collaborati...

In this episode, Na-Ri and Ian interview Stacey Tinianov, an independent patient advocate and founder of Advocates for Collaborative Education. They discuss the importance of patient advocacy, the role of digital health, and the future of patient engagement. Stacey shares her personal journey into patient advocacy and highlights the gaps in knowledge and understanding she experienced as a breast cancer survivor. She emphasizes the need for human-centered design in healthcare, where patients ar...

Summary Dr. Andrée Bates, a pioneering force in the realm of artificial intelligence within the pharmaceutical industry, shares insights on the evolving role of AI in pharma, the future of healthcare innovation, and her advocacy for women in leadership. She discusses the early days of AI in pharma, the challenges faced, and the evolution of AI terminology. Dr. Bates also explores the application of AI in commercial insights and analytics, market access, drug discovery, and clinical trials. Th...

Summary In this episode, Dr. Na-Ri Oh and Ian Wendt discuss Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) and their impact on drug pricing and patient access to medications. They are joined by Antonio Ciaccia, CEO of 46 Brooklyn Research and president of 3 Access Advisors, which provides insights into the role of PBMs in the drug supply chain. The conversation highlights the consolidation of power among the top three PBMs, their anti-competitive behaviors, and the need for increased scrutiny and regulator...

In this episode, Dr. Na-Ri Oh and Ian Wendt discuss the 340B drug pricing program with guest William Sarraille, a healthcare law expert. They explore the origins of the program and its intended purpose. However, the program has grown exponentially and is now the second largest drug program in the country. Bill raises concerns about the lack of transparency and accountability in the program, as well as the impact on patients. He argues that the program should focus on delivering value to patient...

Summary Dr. Ron Shigeta, a pioneer in the biotech startup ecosystem, shares his insights and experiences in this episode. He discusses the success of IndieBio, a biotech accelerator that demonstrated the potential of modest investments in fueling biotech innovations. Dr. Shigeta also highlights the importance of timing, luck, and having a clear vision in the biotech industry. He explains the differences between synthetic biology and pharma startups and the challenges and opportunities they pre...

In this enlightening episode of the RealPharma Podcast, hosts Ian Wendt and Dr. Nari Oh sit down with Dr. Steven King, a luminary in the field of ethnobotanical research and sustainable pharmaceutical development. Dr. King, currently serving as the Chief Sustainable Supply, Ethnobotanical Research, and IP Officer at Jaguar Health, shares his remarkable journey from a young adventurer in the Amazon rainforest to a pioneering figure in the integration of traditional botanical knowledge with modern...

Command the Room: Dr. Laura Sicola's Strategies for Executive Communication Excellence Hosts: Dr. Na-Ri Oh and Ian Wendt In this episode of the Real Pharma Podcast, we delve into the intricacies of effective executive communication with Dr. Laura Sicola, a renowned expert in leadership communication and cognitive linguistics. Dr. Sicola has spent over two decades transforming top-level executives into confident, inspiring leaders. Her unique approach, grounded in cognitive linguistics, empower...

Summary Ilisa Bernstein, a senior Vice President at the American Pharmacists Association, discusses the history and current landscape of drug importation policies with a focus on Florida's program. Safety concerns, supply chain issues, and intellectual property rights are key considerations. The impact on the Canadian drug supply and the transparency of imported drugs for consumers are also discussed. Manufacturer concerns regarding rebates and discounts, as well as potential oversupply and ex...

Summary In this episode, Kristiaan Rawlings discusses the 2024-2025 Commercial Market Update and Salary Guide produced by EPM Scientific. The life sciences sector remains resilient due to aging populations, scientific advances, and robust investment. Hiring practices and compensation are influenced by these factors across the Americas, Europe, and APAC regions. The hiring focus has shifted from life-threatening diseases to more common health issues, such as dermatology and respiratory diseases....

Summary In this episode, hosts Ian Wendt and Dr. Na-Ri Oh , and guest Kira Dineen discuss the intersection of genomics and healthcare. They explore the concept of personalized medicine and how advancements in genomics are revolutionizing healthcare. Kira shares her personal journey and the inspiration behind her DNA Today podcast. The conversation delves into the technology behind personalized medicine and the challenges of building comprehensive genetic databases. The ethical considerations of...

Dive into the high-stakes world of Venture Capital in biopharma with Jim Trenkle! Have you ever wondered what it takes to turn groundbreaking scientific discoveries into life-saving treatments? What role do venture capitalists play in this thrilling journey from the lab to the clinic? This episode peels back the curtain on the biopharma venture capital scene, revealing the risks, rewards, and radical innovations driving the future of healthcare. Join hosts Dr. Na-Ri Oh and Ian Wendt as they expl...

Join us on a deep dive into the world of Health Economics and Outcomes Research (HEOR) with the remarkable Iris Tam, PharmD, a luminary in value-based evidence generation within the biopharma industry. In this episode, our hosts Ian and Na-Ri explore with Iris the critical role of HEOR in transforming today's pharmaceutical landscape, from drug development to global marketing strategies and beyond. Unpacking the complexities of HEOR, they delve into its definition, significance, and the evolvin...

Dive into the world of fertility with Shelley Bailey, the visionary founder and CEO of Famlee Fertility, on our latest episode. Discover Shelley's personal journey that led to the creation of Famlee, a company revolutionizing the fertility landscape with its home-based testing and clinical treatments aimed at empowering women to understand and enhance their fertility. In this enlightening conversation, Shelley unravels the role of Famlee in supporting women through their fertility treatment jou...

Dr. Jerome Adams, the 20th US Surgeon General, discusses various topics related to public health, including Operation Warp Speed, diversity in clinical trials, improving healthcare access and outcomes, addressing health inequities, collaborative approaches in healthcare, challenges with pricing models, the importance of prevention and health literacy, and lessons learned from COVID-19. In this conversation, Dr. Jerome Adams discusses the impact of political pandering on public health messaging ...