The Journey of Cancer Drug Development: Insights from Dr. Bryan Williams

Remarkable! (A Podcast)

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The Journey of Cancer Drug Development: Insights from Dr. Bryan Williams

From Idea to Therapy | Ep. 26

Mark Goode

Sep 05, 2024

Transcript

Have you ever wondered how new cancer drugs come to market and why they are priced the way they are? In my latest episode on Remarkable, I discuss these very questions with Dr. Bryan Williams, a world-renowned cancer researcher and molecular biologist. With a career spanning nearly four decades at prestigious institutions like the Cleveland Clinic and the Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Dr. Williams provides a deep dive into the process of cancer research and drug development. How do research priorities get established in cancer research? Where does the funding come from? And why are there such lengthy and risky timelines involved?

Listen to the introduction to this episode

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Takeaways from the Podcast:

The complexity and length of cancer drug development, often taking 10 to 15 years.
The role of societal pressure in directing research focus, as seen with breast cancer.
The intricate economic dynamics that dictate high drug prices, especially in later stages of development.
The impact of funding sources and the M&A process in the biotech industry.

The Intersection of Funding and Research

One of the intriguing aspects Dr. Williams discusses is the alignment of funding sources with research priorities. Listeners familiar with high technology venture funding will find many parallels in the development and financing of cancer research, but there are critical differences. For instance, the investment return horizons for cancer research are usually 10 to 15 years, much longer than in other sectors. The risks are high, and exits and liquidity events typically occur through mergers and acquisitions (M&A) where biotech firms are acquired by big pharmaceutical companies. But what makes cancer research funding distinct? Why are the development timelines so long and why are the risks so high?

Societal Impacts and Research Focus

Dr. Williams also touches on the societal pressures that influence research focus areas, such as with breast cancer. Historically, certain cancers, particularly those affecting women, were underfunded and under researched. Breast cancer, for instance, was not well-treated until societal pressures led to an increase in interest and funding. Today, early diagnosis techniques and advanced treatments have significantly improved the outlook for breast cancer patients. What other societal pressures are currently shaping cancer research? And what does Dr. Williams think about the future of cancer therapies? Listen to the full podcast for his insightful perspectives.

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The Economics of Drug Pricing

A critical issue that I discuss with Dr. Williams is the economics of drug pricing. Despite the substantial government and philanthropic funding that supports early research, the costs escalate dramatically when it comes to clinical trials. This is where pharmaceutical companies often step in, taking over the projects and the associated high costs. But why are the resulting drug prices often so steep? And, how do pharmaceutical companies balance the need to recover research costs while making treatments accessible? These questions and many more are unpacked in our conversation. Tune in to the episode for a nuanced understanding of these multifaceted issues in cancer research and drug development.