I am BIO Podcast

A troubling disconnect between medical expertise and insurance mandates is putting patients' health at risk. Policies like step therapy and prior authorization are forcing individuals into treatments not recommended by their doctors—often with devastating consequences. In this episode, we hear from a patient who endured months of suffering due to her insurer's 'fail-first' requirements. We also talk with a doctor navigating this impossible system and a biotech leader fighting to ensure innovative treatments reach the patients who need them most. 

There are over 7000 rare diseases identified in the U.S. alone. Many of these diseases affect children, leaving families desperate for answers. In this episode, we talk with one of those families and the biotech company offering them new hope. We also talk with an expert on policy that has jump-started R&D for rare diseases.

As the global population approaches 10 billion by 2050, the challenge of providing safe, nutritious food is growing more urgent. Climate change is further straining food systems, impacting water availability, crop yields, and livestock health. In this episode, two experts discuss innovative biotech solutions aimed at addressing these pressing issues, offering hope for a sustainable path forward in feeding the world.

Since Watson and Crick discovered DNA's double helix structure in 1953, the US has been a leader in biotechnology innovation. American excellence in this field has greatly benefited people around the world. In this episode, we talk about why this leadership position may be threatened and why that matters to our national security.

David Fajgenbaum was in his third year of medical school when he was diagnosed with a rare and life-threatening disease that began shutting down his organs, bringing him perilously close to death. Although he survived the initial episode, he faced four additional relapses, each pushing him to the brink of death. In this episode, we speak with David about his relentless journey to discover the treatment that ultimately put his disease into remission. We also explore how his personal battle inspired the creation of a groundbreaking approach to help others suffering from rare diseases.