The Future of Pharma

Samir Gondalia, ISPE Boston

The Future of Pharma with ISPE Boston. Find out where the pharmaceutical industry is headed and what it means for you. Join host Samir Gondalia as he chats with the thought leaders of the pharma world about the new technologies, innovative applications and emerging markets and how it's going to influence the future of Pharma.

  1. Jun 3

    Episode 40 - Sarah D'Alessio, Dorrian Fragola, Brooke Cote and Women in Pharma Leadership

    My guests in this episode are Sarah D'Alessio, Dorrian Fragola, and Brooke Cote- three accomplished professionals whose careers span engineering, business development, and market growth, and who aare each helping shape the future of our industry in our own way. Sarah D'Alession is Process Engineering Group Manager for Hart Design Group. Sarah is a process engineering leader specializing in capital projects within the pharmaceutical and biotech industries. With a degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Rhode Island, her experience spans bioprocessing systems, solvent distribution systems, GMP facilities, and critical utilities. She leads multidisciplinary teams from concept through startup while remaining closely involved in technical execution. Dorrian Fragola is Senior Director of Business Development at Genesis AEC. With nearly two decades of experience supporting the life sciences industry, Dorrian has become a recognized leader in strategic growth, business development, and industry engagement throughout New England. She is also a longtime contributor to several professional organizations, including ISPE Boston. Brooke Cote is the Director of Market Development at Surplus Solutions, where she leads strategic growth initiatives. A passionate advocate for women in the pharmaceutical industry, she is an active board member for LabOps Unite. Outside of her professional commitments, Brooke enjoys golfing, cherishing time with her family, and doting on her two dogs.   Together, Dorrian and Brooke serve as Co-Chairs of ISPE Boston's Women in Pharma Committee, a group dedicated to fostering connections, creating opportunities, and supporting the next generation of leaders in our industry. In this engaging and candid interview, these industry experts share their career journeys, insights into biotech and pharma, and discuss the importance of networking, diversity, and safety in the industry. Discover practical advice for women aspiring to leadership roles and learn how to navigate the fast-paced world of life sciences. Key topics Career transitions in biotech and pharma Women in leadership and empowerment Industry safety standards and challenges Quatable quotes: "Stop doubting yourself and take the first step" "Ask for what you want and believe in yourself" "Networking and audacity take you farther than talent" I had a lot of fun recording this interview. Hope you enjoy it. Here are Sarah D'Alessio, Dorrian Fragola, and Brooke Cote.

    50 min
  2. Apr 9

    Episode 39 - Michelle Davey and Revolutionizing Telehealth

    My guest in this episode is Michelle Davey. Michelle is currently serving as the CEO of Wheel Health. Under her guidance, Wheel has become the leading platform to connect qualified healthcare professionals with virtual care opportunities. Wheel's groundbreaking Horizon platform is Michelle's latest initiative, a cutting-edge solution that integrates artificial intelligence into healthcare delivery.   She frequently speaks at industry conferences and contributes to discussions on the future of healthcare delivery, virtual care adoption, and the importance of leveraging technology to address healthcare disparities. Michelle was listed on the Fierce15 of leading healthcare innovators for 2025. In this conversation, Michelle and I discuss the evolution of telehealth and the challenges faced by the healthcare industry, particularly in terms of access and economics. She highlights the importance of innovative business models in making virtual care sustainable and the changing landscape of pharma's relationship with patients. Our discussion also delves into the growing consumer demand for healthcare services and the role of AI in enhancing healthcare delivery. Michelle shares her insights on the future of healthcare and the need for a balance between technology and human oversight. Takeaways: - Wheel was founded in 2018, before telehealth became mainstream. - Telehealth can bridge gaps in healthcare access, especially in rural areas. - The economics of healthcare need to be rebalanced for sustainability. - Pharma companies are exploring direct-to-patient channels more than ever. - Self-diagnosis poses significant challenges in the healthcare system. - AI can assist clinicians by summarizing patient data efficiently. - Consumer demand for healthcare is shifting towards virtual and direct access. - The rise of GLP-1 medications reflects changing consumer expectations. - AI will not replace doctors but will enhance their capabilities. - Building a strong company culture is essential in the age of AI. I found my chat with Michelle very enlightening. Hope you do too. Here's Michelle Davey.

    37 min
  3. 10/16/2025

    Episode 37 - Dr. Dave Miller and the Evolution of Drug Delivery Technologies

    My Guest in this episode is Dr. Dave Miller. Dave is CSO of AustinPx and leads the pharmaceutics and analytical development teams and oversees the application of the KinetiSol™ Technology. Prior to his current position, Dr. Miller served as Vice President of Research and Development at DisperSol Technologies and Senior Principal Scientist at Hoffmann-La Roche. Dr. Miller is a co-inventor of the pharmaceutical applications of the KinetiSol technology. He has published over 40 research articles in peer-reviewed journals, authored 8 book chapters, and is co-editor of the First, Second, and Third Editions of the textbook, Formulating Poorly Water-Soluble Drugs. He is a co-inventor on numerous granted and pending patents worldwide. Dr. Miller holds a B.S. in Chemical Engineering and a Ph.D. in Pharmaceutics from the University of Texas at Austin. In this conversation, Dave shares his extensive journey in pharmaceutical research and development, highlighting the evolution of drug delivery technologies, particularly Kinetisol. He discusses the challenges of transitioning from R&D to commercialization, the importance of precision medicine, and the complexities of manufacturing in the pharmaceutical industry. Dave emphasizes the need for innovative approaches to drug formulation and the role of emotional intelligence in professional success. I enjoyed my chat with Dr. Dave Miller. Hope you do too. Here's Dr. Dave Miller.

    48 min
  4. 08/27/2025

    Episode 35 - Nikkhil Masurkar and How American Healthcare and Indian Pharma Are Connected

    My guest in this episode is Nikkhil Masurkar.  Nikkhil is the CEO of Entod Pharmaceuticals which is based in India. He is often called India's Eye Drops Man because Entod specializes in ophthalmic, ENT, and dermatological medicines.  In this interview, Nikkil and I talked about how closely American and Indian pharma worlds are intertwined - 4 out of 10 prescriptions filled in the U.S. are supplied by Indian companies. They supply almost half of all generic prescriptions. This translates to a significant cost savings for the U.S. healthcare system - over $1.3 trillion in last 10 years alone.  We also talked about  - Why India is considered the 'Pharmacy of the World'  - How Indian pharma companies can move beyond generics into high-value innovation - ⁠How Indian pharma can be a $450 billion industry by 2047 - How to balance affordability with innovation to ensure life-saving drugs reach more people - The biggest regulatory hurdles Indian pharma companies face when expanding in the USA   And what all of it means for the American healthcare system, American pharma industry, and American patients. We also discussed important leadership lessons, one thing about the Indian pharma industry Nikkhil would change if he could, and what he reads, instead of books, that drives his personal outlook and Entod Pharmaceutical's culture. I enjoyed my discussion with Nikkhil about how closely American and Indian pharma industries are connected. I hope you do too. Here's Nikkil Masurkar.

    37 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

The Future of Pharma with ISPE Boston. Find out where the pharmaceutical industry is headed and what it means for you. Join host Samir Gondalia as he chats with the thought leaders of the pharma world about the new technologies, innovative applications and emerging markets and how it's going to influence the future of Pharma.

You Might Also Like