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.

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.

My guest in this episode is Sanjeev Luther. Sanjeev is President & CEO of Ernexa Therapeutics. He is a seasoned life sciences leader with decades of experience in oncology, biotechnology innovation, and corporate leadership across global markets. He has guided clinical-stage biopharmaceutical companies through corporate strategy, R&D, licensing, regulatory affairs, and operations, overseeing global Phase 3 trials, major partnerships, and portfolio expansions in multiple therapeutic areas. His career includes senior roles at Cornerstone Pharmaceuticals, BMS, Novartis, Bausch and Lomb, and GE Healthcare, along with contributions to health policy initiatives such as Cures 2.0 and U.S. manufacturing efforts.  Sanjeev also serves on the board of the South Asian Pharmaceutical Council and supports programs aiding adults with dementia. As CEO of Ernexa Therapeutics, he is advancing cell therapy innovations for cancer and autoimmune disease. In this chat, Sanjeev and I talk about: * the importance of extending life and enhancing the quality of life for patients * Curing diseases is not the only goal * Quality of life matters more than just survival * The importance of patient-centric perspectives in healthcare and * The need for a shift in how we view healthcare outcomes. I enjoyed my discussion with Sanjeev. I hope you do too. Here's Sanjeev Luther.

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.

My guest in this episode is Brandon Rice. Brandon is the CEO and co-founder at Weave Bio, a software company focused on automating regulatory submissions in the pharmaceutical industry using AI where he oversees product development, specifically leading the creation of AutoIND, their AI-powered platform for IND preparation.   In this conversation, Brandon discusses his journey to co-founding Weave Bio. He highlights the challenges of regulatory compliance, the potential of AI to streamline processes, and the importance of human oversight in AI-generated content. The discussion also touches on the cultural differences in AI adoption among pharmaceutical companies, global regulatory trends, and the need for open-mindedness towards new technologies. I thoroughly enjoyed my chat with Brandon and learned a lot about the current AI in pharma landscape. I hope you do too. Here's Brandon Rice.

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.

My guest in this episode is Arielle Smith.  Arielle serves as the President of Life Science at Event Cadence which is an event management platform. She was also one of the founding members of Event Cadence. It enables Life Science companies to efficiently plan and manage both industry conferences and internal meetings. Arielle has worked with pharma companies such as Merck, AstraZeneca, Jazz Pharma, Sanofi, and more.   Previously, she has worked with Lampire Biological Laboratories and Jefferson Health, which helped her to provide the Healthcare industry with the best all-in-one industry conference solution.  She also worked in sales and client management for Paramount-owned Showtime Networks, the company behind award-winning shows like Shameless and Billions.      In this discussion, Arielle and I talk about   - How to coordinate efforts of multiple team members - How to collect and leverage data for networking and meetings - The logistics of sending multiple employees to industry events - Individual attendees vs a group of employees being sent by companies. This was an interesting chat as it was about the logistics of attending industry events rather than what's being presented at those events. I found my discussion with Arielle very informative and timely considering the kickoff of industry events. I hope you do too. Here's Arielle Smith.  

My guest in this episode is Ray Jordan. Ray is Principal at Putnam Insights. Ray Jordan is a corporate affairs leader and reputational growth driver in healthcare, technology, biotechnology and consumer industries and has worked with or for companies such as Moderna, Amgen, Johnson & Johnson and Pfizer. Ray has been recognized numerous times by industry sources such as PRWeek, and PRovoke Media. He has helped companies get recognized for high reputational status, including in such rankings by FORTUNE, Axios/Harris, Science Magazine, Dow Jones and others.  In this candid interview about the pharmaceutical industry's image and reputation, Ray and I talk about: - What an image crisis looks like from a leader's point of view. - The current pharma reputation landscape and the Gallup poll. - Pharma industry wide efforts to address this. - Difference between big and small pharma reputation needs and  - The relationship between reputation and market cap.  If you're interested in how corporations, particularly pharma companies, manage their public image, reputation, and any public issues, this episode is for you. Here's Ray Jordan.

My guest in this episode is Vinay Patel.  Vinay is a pharmacist executive with over 18 years in the field and founder of MakoRx. He has been involved with health management, community pharmacy operations, and creating pharmacy services. Vinay has worked in various pharmacy settings including national retail, local community, hospital pharmacy, academia, and group medical practices. His efforts now focus on scaling clinical pharmacy services within employer on-site clinics and bringing employers innovative Rx savings programs. Usually, I interview leaders from the pharmaceutical world, but this was the first time I talked to someone about what happens to the drugs after they leave pharma companies. If you're curious about the drug prices in the USA, I guarantee that you'll find this discussion very enlightening. In this chat, Vinay and I talk about - The pharmacy network in the USA - How drugs reach from pharma companies to patients - Why same drugs cost vary at different pharmacies - Why drug prices have increased over the past 20 years - Why pharma companies are not responsible for the drug prices you pay (and who is) - What should the future of pharmacy look like - The role technology will play in drug distribution and - Advice for an aspiring healthcare entrepreneur. This interview with Vinay was as informative and educational as I hoped it would be.  I hope you'll appreciate learning about your medicines' supply chain and costs. Here's my guest - Vinay Patel.

My guest in this episode is Rene Marcotte. Rene is Senior Vice President Life Sciences at RCM Technologies. Rene has nearly 40 years of experience as a data architect across multiple industries, including Life Sciences for the past 20 years. He has helped to lead and build over 40 data warehouses and analytic solutions, including for some of the largest and smallest pharmaceuticals.  In this discussion, Rene and I talk about data aka the digital gold. Some of the topics we discussed are - The evolution of data over last few decades - Change in data hardware size and capabilities - How cloud has democratized the field for small and big companies - Necessity for an early data plan (pay now or pay much more later) - How end users use data to make better decisions and  - What someone needs to work in data analytics. Data is a dry subject but Rene can make it interesting as he did in this interview.  I hope you find it interesting too. Here's Rene Marcotte.