Drug Dealin

Drug Dealin Pod
  • 5.0 (7)
  • LIFE SCIENCES
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

Ever wondered what's really happening behind the scenes in the biotech and pharmaceutical industry? Drug Dealin' pulls back the curtain. Co-hosts Shivu Sharma and Kenny Lalwani, two seasoned BioPharma professionals, offer unparalleled insider insights, dissecting the latest news, trends, and catalysts. Each episode features in-depth discussions and interviews with industry luminaries, giving you honest and unvarnished perspectives you won't find anywhere else.

Episodes

  1. NOV 20

    Ep.7: Biotech M&A Insights: CVRs, Patent Cliffs & The Pfizer-Novo Bidding War

    SUMMARY In this deep dive into biopharma M&A trends, Shivu and Kenny analyze 10 years of acquisition data from major pharma players, revealing rising deal volumes and the increasing prevalence of Contingent Value Rights (CVRs) as risk mitigation tools. The hosts dissect the unprecedented Pfizer-Novo bidding war over Metsera, examining how this “interloper” situation reflects broader industry dynamics around patent cliffs and portfolio diversification strategies. The episode provides insider perspectives on why investors never seem satisfied with “enough” M&A activity and how companies balance internal R&D with external acquisitions in their portfolio approach. CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction to M&A in Biopharma 03:35 Understanding Contingent Value Rights (CVRs) 06:47 Recent M&A Deals and Trends 13:17 Impact of Patent Cliffs on M&A Activity 17:43 The Portfolio Approach to Drug Development 22:00 Current Trends in Deal Volume and CVR Usage 28:58 Valuation Trends in Late-Stage Companies 32:51 The Buyer-Seller Dynamic in Pharma Deals 38:27 Evaluating CVRs and Acquirer Capabilities 42:31 GenMab’s Strategic Acquisition and Market Positioning 48:11 The Rise of the Biotech Middle Class 55:49 The Aggressive Landscape of Pharma Hiring 56:56 Innovation in RNA Interventions 57:53 The Metsera Bidding War Begins 01:00:11 Pfizer’s Acquisition Strategy Unfolds 01:03:48 Regulatory Implications and Government Influence 01:07:41 The Future of Metabolic Disease Treatments 01:10:27 Interloper Behavior in Pharma Acquisitions 01:15:35 The Role of Government Relationships in Pharma 01:19:05 Concluding Thoughts on M&A Trends 01:22:14 OUTRO DOWNLOADS: M&A and CVR analysis available here CONTACT US: Questions? Emal us at: ⁠⁠drugdealinpod@gmail.com⁠⁠ Follow ⁠Shivu on X⁠Sign up for Shivu's newsletter: Big Pharma Sharma⁠ ⁠Follow ⁠Kenny⁠DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are for informational and educational purposes only. They are not intended as medical advice and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical judgment or guidance. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.

    1h 22m
  2. Ep. 6: Should the FDA Be Independent?

    SEP 9

    Ep. 6: Should the FDA Be Independent?

    SUMMARY: In this episode, Shivu and Kenny discuss the recent developments surrounding Replimune and its interactions with the FDA. They explore the implications of leadership changes at the FDA, the importance of patient advocacy, and the challenges faced by small biotech companies in navigating the regulatory landscape. The conversation highlights the critical role of stability in drug approvals and the potential impact on patient care, particularly in oncology. They discuss the complexities of the FDA's role in drug development, the importance of confirmatory studies, and the impact of leadership changes on regulatory processes. They also talk about the historical evolution of the FDA, its commitment to patient safety, and the challenges it faces in maintaining consistency and transparency. The conversation culminates in a thought-provoking discussion on the potential benefits of an independent FDA, akin to the Federal Reserve, to enhance trust and efficacy in drug approvals. DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are for informational and educational purposes only. They are not intended as medical advice and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical judgment or guidance. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment. CHAPTERS: 00:00 The FDA's Independence and Scope 02:53 Timeline of Instability at the FDA 14:00 Impact of Instability on Drug Development 19:54 Case Study: RepliMune's Regulatory Journey 34:00 Navigating FDA Interactions and Accelerated Approvals 58:03 The Role of a Healthy FDA: History and Function 01:12:40 Organizational Culture and Stability in Regulatory Agencies 01:15:24 Navigating Institutional Changes at the FDA 01:18:45 The Importance of Consistency in Health Guidelines 01:22:27 Transparency and Data Disclosure in Drug Approvals 01:25:18 The Case for an Independent FDA 01:29:53 Lessons from the Federal Reserve's Independence 01:35:11 Engendering Trust in Health Institutions 01:41:49 Final Thoughts CONTACT US: Questions?: ⁠⁠drugdealinpod@gmail.com⁠⁠Follow us on X Follow Shivu on XSubscribe to Shivu's newsletter, Big Pharma Sharma ⁠⁠Follow Kenny

    1h 42m
  3. Ep. 5: How to Talk to Doctors | Feat. Joe McCann, Co-Founder/CEO of Slingshot Insights

    JUL 1

    Ep. 5: How to Talk to Doctors | Feat. Joe McCann, Co-Founder/CEO of Slingshot Insights

    Summary: In this episode we chat with Joe McCann, CEO of Slingshot Insights. Joe estimates he has done somewhere between 5-10K calls interviewing physicians. In today's episode we tap into his insights on how to get more out of your conversations with doctors. Joe opens up his expert playbook on how to prepare and conduct calls with doctors. We also discuss how these tips/tricks can be applied by the everyday person to get more out of your interactions with healthcare practitioners and ensure you are getting the best care possible. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are for informational and educational purposes only. They are not intended as medical advice and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical judgment or guidance. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment. PROMO CODE: DD Pod listeners who sign up for a "Starter" membership at Sling Shot Insights can get their first month FREE by entering the promo code: drugdealinpod25 at checkoutLearn more about slingshot at: www.slingshotinsights.comContact Joe McCann: Email: Joe@slingshotInsights.comX: @JMac_SIContact us: Questions?: ⁠drugdealinpod@gmail.com⁠Follow us on X: ⁠⁠https://x.com/DrugDealinPod⁠⁠Follow Shivu : ⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/shivusharma⁠⁠Subscribe to Shivu's newsletter: ⁠https://www.bigpharmasharma.com/⁠Follow Kenny: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kennylalwani/⁠ Chapters 00:00 Recap of Insights from Joe's Conversation 03:05 Introduction to Expert Calls and Their Importance 11:10 Joe McCann's Background and Journey 18:52 Understanding the Value of Expert Calls 26:46 Differentiating Between Academic and Community Physicians 32:33 Risk Profiles and Decision-Making in Medicine 32:49 Managing Patient Care and Treatment Options 34:45 Navigating Expert Calls and Communication Strategies 37:22 Understanding Bias in Medical Opinions 41:34 Identifying Red Flags in Expert Interactions 45:30 Differentiating Client Needs: Investors vs. Industry 47:41 The Importance of Follow-Up Calls 50:42 Patient Engagement and Empowerment 57:09 Utilizing Guidelines and Resources for Better Care 01:00:44 The Importance of Proactive Healthcare 01:05:15 Navigating Clinical Trials and Patient Advocacy 01:08:48 Understanding Quality of Life in Treatment Decisions 01:09:55 Surgery Insights: Complications and Surgeon Selection 01:19:01 Entrepreneurship in Healthcare: Joe's Journey 01:25:20 Recap of Insights from Joe's Conversation 01:27:58 Building Confidence in Patient-Doctor Interactions 01:30:41 The Importance of Communication and Understanding 01:33:35 Navigating the Healthcare System Effectively 01:35:59 The Role of KOLs vs Community Physicians 01:38:37 The Impact of AI in Healthcare 01:41:18 Outro

    1h 41m
  4. Ep.4: Ozempic for the Brain, A New Era to Explain

    MAY 19

    Ep.4: Ozempic for the Brain, A New Era to Explain

    Summary: In this episode, Shivu and Kenny delve into the evolving landscape of GLP-1 drugs, particularly focusing on the recent advancements in oral formulations and their potential applications beyond diabetes and obesity, including CNS diseases and addiction. They discuss the challenges of adherence, the mechanisms of action, and the economic implications of these therapies, while also highlighting the importance of early intervention in treatment. The conversation emphasizes the promising future of GLP-1s in various therapeutic areas and the ongoing research that will shape their role in healthcare. References: Shivu's recent substack post discussing GLP-1s for CNS disease: https://www.bigpharmasharma.com/p/what-2025-holds-for-glp-1s-in-brainGLP-1 Growth Graph: Zheng, Z., Zong, Y., Ma, Y. et al. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor: mechanisms and advances in therapy. Sig Transduct Target Ther 9, 234 (2024). Contact us: Questions?: drugdealinpod@gmail.comFollow us on X: ⁠https://x.com/DrugDealinPod⁠Follow Shivu : ⁠https://linktr.ee/shivusharma⁠Subscribe to Shivu's newsletter: https://www.bigpharmasharma.com/Follow Kenny: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kennylalwani/⁠ Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are for informational and educational purposes only. They are not intended as medical advice and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical judgment or guidance. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to GLP-1s 02:52 The Evolution of Oral GLP-1s 06:26 Challenges in Patient Adherence 10:34 Exploring CNS Impacts of GLP-1s 14:44 Mechanisms of Action in CNS Diseases 19:13 Potential in Addiction Treatment 24:23 Future Directions and Research Opportunities 30:20 Exploring the Mechanisms of New Medications 35:16 Long-term Use and Dosing Challenges 39:57 Promising Data in Addiction Treatment 43:56 The Future of CNS and Metabolic Dysfunction Treatments 50:44 The Path Forward in Drug Development 54:50 Outro

    55 min
  5. Ep 3: Rise of the Phoenix | Sujal Shah & CymaBay Therapeutics

    MAR 11

    Ep 3: Rise of the Phoenix | Sujal Shah & CymaBay Therapeutics

    A conversation with biotech leader, Sujal Shah, former CEO of CymaBay Therapeutics about his company's story arc, leadership, resilience, and building a biotech company in the face of adversity. Questions?: drugdealinpod@gmail.com Follow us on X: https://x.com/DrugDealinPod Connect with Shivu: https://linktr.ee/shivusharma Check out Big Pharma Sharma: https://bigpharmasharma.substack.com/ Connect with Kenny: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kennylalwani/ Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are for informational and educational purposes only. They are not intended as medical advice and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical judgment or guidance. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment. 00:00 Introduction to Biotech Leadership 03:00 Sujal Shah's Journey in Biotech 05:46 Leadership Philosophy and Team Dynamics 09:13 Navigating Challenges at CymaBay 11:48 The Development of seladelpar 15:07 Strategic Decisions in Drug Development 17:58 Clinical Trials and Regulatory Interactions 20:50 The NASH Study and Its Implications 47:10 Navigating Drug Development Challenges 49:07 The Patient-Centric Approach in Drug Development 51:56 Facing Clinical Setbacks and Organizational Resilience 53:36 Unexpected Findings and Immediate Reactions 01:00:27 The Emotional Toll of Drug Development 01:05:08 Rebuilding Purpose and Finding Answers 01:19:52 Patient Advocacy and Support During Crisis 01:23:30 Uncovering the Truth: The Role of Independent Panels 01:33:59 Independent Review and Safety Assurance 01:36:50 Leadership Challenges and Stakeholder Management 01:40:12 Resilience in Adversity 01:43:51 Turning Point: Stock Recovery and Investor Relations 01:47:07 Skepticism and Ongoing Challenges 01:55:00 Data Presentation and Competitive Landscape 02:01:11 Building a Robust Evidence Package 02:04:53 Reflections on Leadership and Future Aspirations

    2h 21m
  6. Ep. 2: Predictions for Biopharma in 2025

    JAN 31

    Ep. 2: Predictions for Biopharma in 2025

    Kenny and Shivu each cook up three predictions for Biopharma in 2025 NOTE: This episode was recorded on January 10th, 2025 Have feedback for us? Leave a comment or email us at DrugDealinPod@gmail.com Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are for informational and educational purposes only. They are not intended as medical advice and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical judgment or guidance. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.

    58 min
  7. Ep. 1: Do Pharma Companies Avoid Cures?

    JAN 31

    Ep. 1: Do Pharma Companies Avoid Cures?

    In this episode, we unpack, examine, and debunk the public perception that drug companies intentionally do not pursue curative therapies, because it is financially less beneficial to them. We speak from our own experience working on curative therapies in Oncology and HCV, discuss how difficult it is to develop cures, the implications of curing a disease for drug companies, and how the industry can do a better job fostering trust with patients. Have feedback for us? Feel free to leave a comment or send us an email at DrugDealinPod@gmail.com Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are for informational and educational purposes only. They are not intended as medical advice and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical judgment or guidance. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.

    1h 14m
  8. Ep. 0: Welcome to the Drug Dealin' Podcast!

    JAN 30

    Ep. 0: Welcome to the Drug Dealin' Podcast!

    What is Drug Dealin' going to be about? How are the Drug Dealin' hosts and should you listen to us? What type of content can you expect from this show? Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are for informational and educational purposes only. They are not intended as medical advice and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical judgment or guidance. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.

    22 min
  • 8 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Ever wondered what's really happening behind the scenes in the biotech and pharmaceutical industry? Drug Dealin' pulls back the curtain. Co-hosts Shivu Sharma and Kenny Lalwani, two seasoned BioPharma professionals, offer unparalleled insider insights, dissecting the latest news, trends, and catalysts. Each episode features in-depth discussions and interviews with industry luminaries, giving you honest and unvarnished perspectives you won't find anywhere else.

Information

  • Creator
    Drug Dealin Pod
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    8
  • Rating
    Clean
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    © 2025 Drug Dealin Pod
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    Drug Dealin