The Long Game

Sandy & Ross
  • 0.0 (0)
  • Entrepreneurship

The Long Game is a podcast that demystifies the science shaping our lives, and explores how great ideas built in Scotland become real-world medicines, devices, and companies at the cutting edge of life sciences.

  1. 2 days ago

    E20: What Actually IS The Placebo Effect? Part I

    A fake surgery that performed as well as the real thing. That’s the kind of result that changes how you think about pain, healing, and what medicine actually is. In this episode Ross and Sandy break down why the placebo effect is not “mind over matter” trivia, but real biology shaped by expectation, trust, ritual, and meaning. They use one of the most famous knee surgery studies to expose the gap between what’s happening in the operating theatre and what the body is actually responding to. If you’ve ever wondered why some treatments work better in practice than they should on paper, this conversation shows you where the hidden power lives. Ross explains the science of precision medicine and the role of meaning in the health system, while Sandy brings the lens of technology, investment, and health innovation. Together they show why medicine is not just chemistry, but chemistry delivered through theatre, and why that distinction matters when patients, doctors, and investors are trying to understand what really works.

  2. 31 Jul

    E19: The Bio-Founder's Playbook, Part 2b: How to Raise Funding in Scotland

    Unlock the secrets to launching a biotech startup from Scotland’s leading experts; avoid common pitfalls, tap into critical funding sources, and learn when and how to scale beyond borders. Most founders rush into company formation without the right foundation. Prof Ross Cagan, Director of the McNabb Center, and Dr Sandy Weir, Tech Innovation Leader, expose the biggest mistakes biotech entrepreneurs make when transitioning from research to business. They reveal how to use university resources to de-risk your project, the true role of non-dilutive funding, and the importance of timing in fundraising. Discover why early company formation can hamper your growth and learn the smart steps to validate your idea, protect your IP, and build a credible team before pitching to investors. In this episode, Ross and Sandy continue to share real-world insights from their vast experience, highlighting the difference between innovative science and investable companies. They caution against rushing early, over-diluting, or pitching without thorough market and regulatory understanding. Plus, they offer practical tips for securing any startup milestone, backing Scotland’s vibrant biotech ecosystem, and building a truly global company. Perfect for early-stage founders, biotech entrepreneurs, and researchers eager to turn their innovative ideas into impactful businesses. If you're ready to navigate the complex funding landscape and avoid costly pitfalls, this episode is your ultimate guide to raising capital, scaling smartly, and making a real difference in healthcare.

  3. 23 Jul

    E18: The Bio-Founder’s Playbook, Part 2 (a): How to Raise Funding in Scotland

    Unlock the secrets to turning innovative Scotland-based life sciences ideas into global success stories. This episode dives into the practical steps, funding strategies, legal hurdles, and insider tips, needed to transform early research into a thriving company, all while avoiding costly mistakes. Whether you're a scientist at the start of your entrepreneurial journey or an investor looking to spot a winning biotech, this episode will elevate your understanding of the complex landscape of life science startups. Ross, a Professor of Precision Medicine, and Sandy, a Tech Innovation Leader, lay out the critical map for founders: When to stay in academia and when to get out, how university support can be a fortress or a trap, and why dilution and IP are your biggest enemies early on. Discover why forming a company too soon can stall your progress, how early grants can jumpstart your journey, and the subtle art of pitching investors with a sharp focus on milestones, market opportunity, and control—not just science coolness.

  4. 17 Jul

    E17: The Bio-Founder’s Playbook (Part 1): Explaining Funding Jargon

    Most biotech founders in Scotland and beyond don’t understand the complex world of venture capital. This episode reveals the insider secrets to navigating early-stage biotech funding, from bootstrap beginnings to Series C success, with insights you won’t find anywhere else. Whether you're a scientist dreaming of transforming your research into a life-changing medicine or an investor eager to unlock the next big breakthrough, this is your ultimate crash course in biotech funding. Ross Cagan and Sandy Weir team-up to demystify the funding pipeline that every life sciences entrepreneur must master. You’ll discover why biotech is so fundamentally different from software startups, and why understanding this difference is crucial if you want your innovation to reach patients, not just papers. They unpack the entire funding journey: from bootstrapping with friends and family, to angel investments, the seed rounds that prove market need, and on to Series A, B, and beyond, culminating in a strategic exit or IPO. Get ready to learn how these stages work in Scotland, the UK, and even compare them to the US landscape, with practical insights on costs, timelines, and what investors are really after.

  5. 8 Jul

    E16: The Memory Economy: Dementia and Fighting for Our Future

    In this episode Ross and Sandy discuss the complexities of dementia, exploring its impact, the science behind it, the economic costs, and the biotech industry's efforts in prevention and early detection. The conversation covers the future of disease treatment, encouraging industry to explore opportunities, practical and personal advice for disease prevention. We close with our 'wee bit of joy' and consider Scotland's struggle in the Football World Cup, a family reunion in New York, and establishing a transatlantic traditions.

  6. 30 Jun

    E15: Scotland's Cardiovascular Crisis

    Most companies overlook a massive opportunity in early diagnosis for cardiovascular disease, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. On this episode of The Long Game, Ross and Sandy reveal how Scotland’s thriving biotech ecosystem is turning understanding of the “broken heart” into ground breaking tech that could save lives and billions in healthcare costs. Right now, Scotland faces an alarming crisis: a stunning one-third of all deaths are caused by heart disease, stroke, and related vascular conditions, and it hits women twice as hard as breast cancer. Despite common myths, heart disease is not just an "old man's disease"—it’s the leading killer of women too, and it often goes unnoticed until it's too late. You’ll discover compelling data that shatters misconceptions, showing how genetics, lifestyle, and stark health inequalities combine to make cardiovascular disease Scotland’s #1 health burden. We break down how early diagnostics, innovative imaging techniques, and leveraging Scotland’s rich health data can tip the balance. You'll learn about the Scottish initiatives that use AI and predictive analytics to catch heart issues before they become catastrophic. Plus, Sandy shares how the Scottish biotech scene is poised to turn these insights into impactful startups, and the crucial role entrepreneurs can play in driving structural cost savings for the NHS. Missing this opportunity means accepting inevitability and delaying action that could save lives and billions. Meanwhile, detailed research and tech innovation promise a future where early detection is standard, and preventable deaths drop significantly. This isn’t just science; it’s an economic game-changer for Scotland and beyond.

  7. 24 Jun

    E14: Bio-Economics of Murder - The Glasgow Poisoner

    Most medical trust is based on a simple signature, until it isn’t. A 19th-century Glasgow doctor’s deadly misuse of that trust not only shocked the nation but also helped shape the foundation of modern forensic science. Discover how one man’s dark deeds as the "Glasgow Poisoner" exposed horrifying weaknesses in a system that still challenges us today and why verifying trust has never been more crucial. In this gripping episode, Sandy and Ross unravel the true story of Dr. Edward William Pritchard, a respected doctor turned murderer, who used his medical knowledge to commit the perfect crime. You’ll learn how his use of poisons like aconite and antimony mimicked natural illnesses, hiding his devilish handiwork for weeks. We break down the evolution of forensic toxicology, highlighting the ground breaking forensic methods born from this case; methods that still protect us. You'll discover how this early scientific triumph paved the way for today's standards, and why trusted authorities must always be scrutinised.

  8. 17 Jun

    E13: AI to Cure (Part 3) - Hacking Our Brains

    In this episode we attempt to uncover how AI is transforming the human mind, from decoding thoughts to rewriting emotions. Imagine a future where your dreams, memories, and even your emotional states are not private. We delve into the mind-bending capabilities of cutting-edge AI that’s learning to read, modify, and potentially control our inner worlds. From neural implants that detect and influence anxiety to machine-designed neurons that communicate directly with our brains, the boundary between science fiction and reality is vanishing fast.

See All (21)

About

The Long Game is a podcast that demystifies the science shaping our lives, and explores how great ideas built in Scotland become real-world medicines, devices, and companies at the cutting edge of life sciences.

Information

  • Creator
    Sandy & Ross
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    21
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Sandy & Ross