BioTech Startups Want to Revive Failed Medicines to Create New Lifesaving Treatments
Some Cancer-fighting compounds for kids gather dust on Big Pharma’s lab shelves. Children’s Tumor Foundation President Annette Bakker, Ph.D., won’t stand for that. She shared her efforts to rescue these assets with I Don’t Care’s Kevin Stevenson.
In her fight to end neurofibromatosis, an incurable condition that causes tumors to grow on the brain and spinal cord, Bakker is pioneering game-changing ideas in disease research.
Through Bakker’s experience in the pharmaceutical and biochemistry industries, she learned how separate the two ecosystems were. “The motivations that drive academic researchers are publications,” Bakker said. “The motivations that drive pharmaceutical companies is to develop those drugs, but in the meantime also to fuel the development of new drugs they need to patent. So, they need to keep the stuff secret. The very different systems these two worlds are living in make it difficult to translate discoveries into better treatments for patients.”
Bridging the gap in science politics to ensure discoveries lead to better treatments is the space where Bakker lives. “It’s about bringing the models to the drugs,” Bakker said. “It’s about bringing the different stakeholders together and creating that ecosystem.”
What led Bakker from her background in biochemistry to the pharmaceutical world was the desire to take great discoveries and make sure they were getting used. And what ultimately led her to The Children’s Tumor Foundation (CTF) was to be a part of the solution in bridging the gaps, cutting through the red tape, and connecting the right people to make real change. “My philosophy is always, ‘move the foot,’ Bakker said. “Don’t blame anyone; incentivize them to change their behavior and feel good about it.”
More Like This Story:
From an Idea to Billion Dollar Company: How a Doctor Lobbied DC for HSAs
Does the Insurance Model of the Future Exclude A Traditional Health Insurance Carrier
Latest
Mastering AV Sales Strategies: A Diverse Market Requires Understanding Individual Needs
Mastering AV sales strategies in a global professional audio-visual (Pro AV) market, poised to reach $79.2 billion by 2028, requires much attention to detail. The surge in demand from corporate, government, and institutional sectors, driven by the need for enhanced productivity and efficient working environments, gives AV sales pros a lot of opportunity. In […]
Cybersecurity in Healthcare: Addressing the Growing Threat
To keep up with the growing threats, cybersecurity in healthcare is a high-level priority. The recent ransomware attack on Ardent Health underscores a stark reality for the healthcare industry: cyber threats are a significant and ongoing challenge. Mike Saylor, the CEO of Blackswan Cybersecurity, LLC, sheds light on the complexities of cybersecurity in healthcare. […]
Effective Debt Management Holds the Keys to Small Business Cash Flow and Growth
Effective debt management through a robust accounts receivable system is essential for small business cash flow and growth, necessitating automated payment schedules and strategic policy adjustments. Collaborating with a collection agency as a strategic partner can enhance revenue recovery while preserving positive customer relationships. How critical is effective debt management for the financial health […]
