RealPharma: Conversations with Pharma Pathfinders

Mastering Omnichannel: Insights with Philip Vyt

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 a 360-degree view of HCP interactions. He also shares practical advice for biopharma companies—both large and small—on building effective omnichannel campaigns, starting with "minimal viable campaigns" to learn by doing.The conversation explores the challenges companies face, such as managing content supply chains and the integration of technology, while highlighting the significant investments needed in marketing technology (MarTech) for a truly effective omnichannel approach. Philip also discusses the differences between the U.S. and European markets in terms of data privacy and consent, as well as the evolving role of AI and automation in real-time engagement with HCPs. Throughout, Philip provides actionable insights on how companies can avoid common pitfalls, emphasizing a focus on execution and the importance of aligning marketing with commercial excellence.Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of what it takes to implement a successful omnichannel strategy and why it’s a journey that requires commitment, adaptation, and collaboration across teams.Resources:Philip Vyt on LinkedIn

Staying Ahead In Your Pharma Career with Kristiaan Rawlings

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 career transitions and for companies to attract top talent in a competitive market.Resources:Kristiaan Rawlings on LinkedInEPM ScientificBioSpace 2024 Employment OutlookBioSpace Complete Guide to the Biopharma Job SearchBioSpace 2024 Job Search Toolkit

Opioid Epidemic: Michael Barnes on the Fight to End the Crisis

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 disorder crisis, including the lack of parity in insurance plans, the role of prescribers, the need for treatment and support, the potential for decriminalization, the economic impact of substance use disorders, and the US-centric nature of the problem. The guests discuss the importance of addressing substance use disorder as a health condition and providing therapeutic responses and harm reduction services. They also highlight the need for policies that focus on prevention, access to treatment, and economic opportunities for individuals in recovery. The conversation emphasizes the complexity of the issue and the need for comprehensive solutions.Resources:Michael Barnes on LinkedInCenter for US PolicyNOPE Task ForceRecovery Friendly Workplace InstitutePain News Network

Medical Affairs Reimagined: Danny McBryan on Shaping Pharma’s Future

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 collaboration between medical affairs, health economics, and outcomes research (HEOR) to demonstrate the value of drugs and address unmet needs.He also discusses the impact of digital transformation on medical affairs, including wearables, therapeutic digital solutions, social media, data analysis, and real-world evidence. McBryan envisions a future where medical affairs plays a more strategic role, engages with patients, and contributes to drug discovery and development.RESOURCESDanny MCBryan on LinkedInMedical Affairs Professional SocietyThe Future of Medical Affairs 2030

Empowering the Patient Voice: A Deep Dive into Advocacy with Stacey Tinianov

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 are at the center of the design, development, and deployment of programs and technologies.Stacey also discusses the impact of digital platforms on patient engagement and the importance of building relationships and engaging with patients beyond a transactional level. Patient advocacy is a multifaceted field that encompasses various areas, including clinical trial advocacy, research advocacy, and policy advocacy. The future of patient advocacy lies in the expansion of voices and the focus on improving quality of life and survivorship. Advocates play a crucial role in shaping clinical trials, ensuring patient-reported outcomes are considered, and driving policy changes. The ultimate goal is to achieve true partnerships between advocacy and industry, as well as the decentralization of clinical trials.Patient advocates can effectively communicate by understanding their motivation and goals and tailoring their language to resonate with different stakeholders. The consequences of not getting patient advocacy right include a regression to the frustrating relationship patients had with pharmaceutical companies in the past. However, progress has been made, and patient advocacy has the potential to drive positive change in healthcare.Resources:Stacey Tinianov on LinkedInRabble HealthAdvocates for Collaborative EducationInternational Cancer Advocacy NetworkPatient Advocate Foundation

AI Revolution: Transforming Biopharma with Andree Bates

SummaryDr. 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.The conversation covers a wide range of topics related to the application of AI in the biopharma industry, including the use of synthetic data, digital twins, regulatory and medical affairs, market access, precision doctor targeting, and ethical implications.Dr. Andree Bates shares insights on the impact of AI on drug discovery, clinical trials, and patient care, as well as the potential for AI to revolutionize the industry.ResourcesAndree Bates on LinkedInEularisAI in biopharma research: A time to focus and scaleAI in Biopharma: Use Cases and ConsiderationsArtificial intelligence and its expanding role across the biopharma landscape

Unmasking PBMs: Antonio Ciaccia Exposes the Hidden Power Players in Healthcare

SummaryIn 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 regulatory measures. The discussion also explores the distorted incentive structures that favor high-cost drugs over lower-cost alternatives, leading to higher drug costs and limited access for patients.The conversation explores the impact of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) on drug costs and access to medications. The report states that PBMs control about 70% of all specialty drug revenue, leading to the closure of independent retail pharmacies in rural areas. The conversation emphasizes the need for transparency and accountability in the PBM industry.It also discusses the potential solutions, including market-based approaches and policy changes, to address the inefficiencies and anti-competitive behaviors of PBMs.ResourcesAntonio Ciaccia on LinkedInAntonio Ciaccia on Twitter/X3 Axis Advisors46 Brooklyn ResearchFTC Interim Report on PBMs

340B Controversy: Who Really Benefits from Drug Discounts?

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 patients and ensuring that they benefit from the discounts.The conversation delves into the complexities and challenges of the 340B program, highlighting issues such as the patient definition, transparency, contract pharmacies, and the allocation of funds. The discussion considers the need for a more comprehensive and transparent system that ensures the benefits of the program flow to the patients. They also explore the possibility of implementing a claims data process that provides faster payment and greater certainty for both manufacturers and 340B entities.The conversation concludes with a reflection on the importance of leadership and collaboration in finding solutions to the program's problems.Resources:William Sarraille on LinkedInHRSA 340B InformationAmerican Hospital Information (AHA) Fact Sheet340BHealth.org

From Biotech Breakthroughs to Food Tech Revolution: Dr. Ron Shigeta’s Journey

SummaryDr. 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 present.Additionally, he discusses the factors he considers when evaluating startup opportunities and the mindset of successful entrepreneurs. Finally, he shares his perspective on managing risk in biotech startups and the personal transition of becoming a startup CEO. In this conversation, Ron Shigeta discusses the landscape of venture capital funds and startup incubators, highlighting the importance of fund size and check-writing capabilities. He also explains his attraction to the food industry and the deep structural biology of food. The convergence of food and biotech is explored, with a focus on consumer applications and health-related applications. Ron shares different strategies for innovation and offers advice for aspiring entrepreneurs. He discusses promising areas for transformational impact, including the golden age of biology and the future of food and sustainability.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Dr. Ron Shigeta01:31 Dr. Shigeta's transition from scientist to biotech startup figure05:19 The impact of IndieBio's small investment model08:43 The economics of biotech startups09:57 Different pathways in biotech: synthetic biology vs. pharma13:42 Factors in evaluating startup opportunities14:09 The mindset of successful entrepreneurs19:35 The importance of company vision and team dynamics22:23 Managing risk in biotech startups27:28 The personal transition of becoming a startup CEO31:23 The risk tolerance of entrepreneurs32:36 Venture Capital Funds and Startup Incubators37:15 The Attraction of the Food Industry42:30 Convergence of Food and Biotech46:12 Innovation in Biotech and Pharma49:37 Different Strategies for Innovation51:42 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs53:47 Promising Areas for Transformational Impact01:01:26 The Golden Age of Biology01:04:51 The Impact of Whole Foods Conference01:08:49 The Future of Food and SustainabilityResources:Ron Shigeta on LinkedInRon Shigeta on X (Twitter)iAccelerate

From the Forest to your Pharmacy: Dr. Steven King’s Ethnobotanical Journey

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 medicine.Join us as we delve into the fascinating world of ethnobotany, exploring how Dr. King's lifelong passion for plant-based healing has led to groundbreaking developments in the pharmaceutical industry. Discover the story behind the Croton lechleri tree, popularly known as the Dragon's Blood tree, and how its unique properties have been harnessed to create an FDA-approved medication derived from this Amazonian marvel.Dr. King offers insights into his early experiences living with indigenous communities in South America, learning about their traditional uses of plants for medicine, and the ethical considerations involved in bringing these ancient practices into the global market. We discuss the importance of sustainability and respectful collaboration with local communities, emphasizing the crucial balance between conservation and commerce.This episode also touches on the broader implications of Dr. King’s work, from his contributions to the Healing Forest Conservatory to the role of bioethics in the commercialization of traditional knowledge. As the conversation unfolds, we explore the exciting future of plant-based therapeutics and the potential for ethnobotanical research to address some of the most pressing health challenges of our time.Tune in for a captivating discussion that spans decades of exploration, scientific discovery, and cultural exchange, highlighting how ancient wisdom can inform and transform modern healthcare.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Ethnobotany02:04 Biocultural Diversity and Pharmaceutical Development13:20 The Croton lechleri Tree and its Medicinal Uses15:59 Ethnobotanical Research vs. Traditional Drug Development21:39 Intellectual Property and Benefit-Sharing24:27 Ethical and Sustainable Practices in Working with Indigenous Communities28:27 Respecting Indigenous Knowledge and Rights in Plant-Based Medicine Development34:03 The Financial Benefits of Commercializing Plant-Based Drugs for Indigenous Communities36:23 The Potential Therapeutic Applications of Psychedelic ResearchResources:Dr. Steven King - LinkedInOne River: Explorations and Discoveries in the Amazon Rain ForestPlants, People, and Culture: The Science of Ethnobotany