The Readout Loud 341: NIH funding cuts, a U.S. brain drain, and bold claims from AI drug developers
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Feb 13, 2025 Biotech reporter Jonathan Wosen discusses the NIH's significant funding cuts and the looming brain drain that could push young researchers overseas. Health tech reporter Brittany Trang dives into the skeptical reactions towards AI drug developers like Absci and Generate:Biomedicines, who assert they can create drugs from scratch. The conversation sheds light on the potential impact of reduced NIH support on U.S. biomedical innovation and the challenges of relying on AI in drug discovery.
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NIH Funding Cuts and Impact
- The NIH plans to significantly cut overhead cost funding for research institutions, impacting F&A expenses.
- This move raises concerns about the future of US biomedical innovation and downstream biopharma effects.
Potential "Brain Drain"
- Concerns about a US "brain drain" arise from unpredictable government actions affecting science.
- Young scientists are considering career options in Europe and China due to funding uncertainty.
Downstream Effects on Biotech
- NIH funding cuts could affect biotech by impacting academic labs that rely on this funding.
- Companies selling instruments and reagents to these labs, like Illumina, might see a drop in revenue.