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ReThinking
How David Fajgenbaum saved his own life — and thousands of others
Mar 25, 2025
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.
40:08
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Quick takeaways
- 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.
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.
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Discover
highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode