How David Fajgenbaum saved his own life — and thousands of others
Mar 25, 2025
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David Fajgenbaum, a physician scientist at Penn, faced death at 25 from Castleman's disease but miraculously saved himself by repurposing a drug. He founded Every Cure to help others unlock the potential of existing medications. In this discussion, he shares the building blocks of resilience and the disincentives in drug development. They also delve into how AI is revolutionizing the identification of new treatments and the importance of innovative partnerships between nonprofits and pharmaceutical companies in the fight against rare diseases.
David Fajgenbaum's transition from a terminally ill medical student to a physician-scientist illustrates the power of resilience and personal vision in overcoming adversity.
His nonprofit, Every Cure, utilizes artificial intelligence to efficiently identify existing medications that can be repurposed for rare diseases, revolutionizing treatment options.
Fajgenbaum emphasizes the critical need for innovative funding strategies to support non-profitable drugs, ensuring that marginalized patients gain access to effective treatments.
Deep dives
David Fagenbaum's Journey to Discovery
David Fagenbaum shares his remarkable journey from a third-year medical student to a physician-scientist. After facing a life-threatening illness called Castleman's disease, he resorted to testing drugs on himself when traditional treatments failed. This hands-on approach not only saved him but also led to the development of a repurposed drug that significantly benefits others suffering from the same condition. His experience highlights the potential of using existing medications for new purposes, emphasizing the importance of thinking outside the conventional drug classifications.
The Importance of Vision and Support
Fagenbaum discusses how having a clear vision for his future motivated him during his toughest times in the hospital. Surrounded by family and friends, he was able to focus on one breath at a time rather than the overwhelming challenges of his illness. This clarity, rooted in a desire to create lasting memories with his loved ones, empowered him to persevere through pain and uncertainty. Through his story, he exemplifies how personal goals and a supportive network are crucial elements in overcoming severe adversity.
Transforming Drug Repurposing with AI
Fagenbaum's nonprofit, Every Cure, employs artificial intelligence to identify potential drug repurposing opportunities. The organization has access to extensive data, allowing it to analyze thousands of drug and disease combinations efficiently. By generating probabilistic scores for each pairing, Every Cure prioritizes the most promising candidates for clinical trials and treatment awareness. This innovative use of AI represents a significant shift in the approach to finding solutions for rare diseases, where traditional pharmaceutical incentives often fall short.
Addressing the Funding Challenge
One of the primary hurdles facing Every Cure is the lack of funding for non-profitable drugs and treatments for rare diseases. Despite having a wealth of promising data, operational challenges remain in securing the necessary resources to advance their initiatives. Fagenbaum emphasizes that the mission goes beyond developing treatments to also ensuring they reach the patients who need them. This ongoing struggle underscores the importance of innovating funding strategies and building partnerships within the healthcare system.
Creating Awareness and Advocacy
Fagenbaum highlights the significance of raising awareness about effective treatments that may not have commercial incentives behind them. Personal success stories, like that of a nonverbal child who began speaking after receiving treatment, serve as powerful testaments to the impact of drug repurposing. Every Cure aims to bridge the gap between existing research and patient access, advocating for patients with rare diseases that often lack representation. By showcasing real-life examples, the organization can garner attention and support for efforts that ultimately save lives.
David Fajgenbaum had his last rites read to him at 25 years old after a brutal struggle with an inflammatory disease that attacks the vital organs. As a medical student with two weeks left to live, he repurposed a drug and tested it on himself—and saved his own life. Now, he’s repeating the same process for many others through his nonprofit, Every Cure, with the mission of unlocking the full potential of existing drugs to treat every disease possible. David and Adam discuss the building blocks of resilience, explore the disincentives that prevent hidden cures from coming to light, and explain how AI is aiding creative discovery to save lives.
