The New Alchemist

Deeya Kotecha

The New Alchemist explores the ideas, people, and stories that have shaped the past, present, and future of biotech & pharma.

Episodes

  1. Nov 5

    What Standard Cancer Tests Miss | Edward Larkin, Valius Sciences

    What can a tumor’s DNA test leave out? Edward Larkin, founder and CEO of Valius Sciences, joins Deeya Kotecha to explain his “maximalist” approach to cancer diagnostics: looking beyond DNA alone to understand what a tumor is expressing and what that could mean for treatment options. We discuss the story behind Valius Sciences, the needs of patients with rare and aggressive cancers, and the promise and limits of precision oncology. Edward explains why scientific honesty matters as much as ambition, why patients deserve a better experience, and what makes him optimistic about the future of medicine. Explore Valius Sciences In this episode:• What DNA-only testing can miss and how RNA and protein measurements add context• The founding story of Valius Sciences and Sid Sijbrandij’s influence• Clinical trials, expanded access, and the work of finding potential treatment options• AI, single-cell analysis, and the future of cancer diagnostics• Lessons from Palantir, life sciences investing, and building a company around patients Subscribe to The New Alchemist for conversations with the people building the future of science, medicine, and technology. Hosted by Deeya Kotecha. Recorded November 3, 2026. CHAPTERS00:00 In this episode00:51 Opening and introduction01:17 The founding story of Valius04:09 Sid’s story and maximalist diagnostics09:02 What DNA-only testing can miss13:58 Who comes to Valius—and planning ahead19:27 Playing to win20:57 Patient experience and honest expectations25:06 The promise and limits of personalized therapies33:38 Clinical trials and expanded access40:12 Shared targets across rare cancers44:55 Paperwork, access and risk47:41 How AI changes diagnostics51:01 Lessons from medicine, Palantir and investing55:48 Building a company and serving patients honestly59:39 10x Genomics and the investment thesis01:02:48 Spatial transcriptomics and what comes next01:10:08 The future of precision oncology01:14:42 Life advice: expertise, purpose and hard work01:17:15 Closing thoughts

  2. Trailer

    Biotech is Next | The New Alchemist — Trailer

    Who is building the future of medicine, and who’s betting on it? I’m Deeya Kotecha. Welcome to The New Alchemist, where we follow the science, the money and the incredible people shaping biotech and pharma. From the histories of Eli Lilly and Amgen to the frontier of AI-native drug discovery, protein engineering and cell therapies, we’re following the ideas and decisions that could change how we live. This is your first look. Follow The New Alchemist for the stories behind the breakthroughs, and share this trailer with someone who should be paying attention to biology. Explore more: https://thenewalchemistmedia.com

    Biotech is Next | The New Alchemist — Trailer

  3. Sep 25

    Amgen: How a Biotech Startup Became Big Pharma

    A hormone isolated from thousands of litres of urine helped lay the foundations of Amgen. How did that scientific breakthrough become a pharmaceutical giant? Deeya and Rohan trace Amgen’s history, from its founding and the discovery of erythropoietin to the blockbuster drugs and acquisitions that transformed the business. We explore Epogen and Neupogen, the consequential Johnson & Johnson partnership, and the Immunex acquisition that brought Enbrel into the company. Along the way, we examine EPO’s safety reckoning, the science behind newer medicines like Repatha, and how drug pricing, insurance and pharmacy benefit managers (PBM) shape what patients pay. This is a story about biotechnology, entrepreneurship and the challenge of turning great science into a lasting business. Follow The New Alchemist for the stories behind the companies and medicines shaping healthcare. 00:00 Introduction 02:34 The Origins of EPO 06:21 Founding Amgen 15:58 The EPO Breakthrough 19:53 The Deals That Saved Amgen 28:17 Building the Blockbuster Business 39:29 The Immunex Acquisition 43:32 The EPO Reckoning 49:02 The Next Generation of Medicines 52:47 The Business of Drug Pricing 59:02 Amgen Today 01:01:45 Lessons from Amgen

    Amgen: How a Biotech Startup Became Big Pharma

  4. Sep 15

    Eli Lilly: The History Behind the Pharma Giant

    On November 21st, 2025 Eli Lilly crossed $1 trillion in market cap. It was the first healthcare company in history to cross this mark and only the second non-tech company, after Berkshire Hathaway. While most people know GLP-1s, the history of Eli Lilly, dating back to Colonel Eli Lilly in the Civil War is epic. It includes the commercialization of insulin, Penicillin, some of the most popular antibiotics in the world, Prozac, a medical device conglomerate, and even a make-up brand. Listen to Good Pharma to hear the incredible history of the world's largest pharma company. Listen to Good Pharma with Deeya Kotecha and visit goodpharma.fm to sign up for updates.

    Eli Lilly: The History Behind the Pharma Giant
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About

The New Alchemist explores the ideas, people, and stories that have shaped the past, present, and future of biotech & pharma.

Information

  • Creator
    Deeya Kotecha
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    4
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Deeya Kotecha
  • Show Website
    The New Alchemist