The Long Run with Luke Timmerman
Timmerman Report
"The Long Run"
Antarctic explorer Ernest Shackleton would appreciate today's biotech. Scientific entrepreneurs of the 21st century must be ready for what Shackleton called the “hazardous journey, bitter cold, long months of complete darkness, constant danger, safe return doubtful, honor and recognition in case of success.” Today, the men and women who strive to apply science for the betterment of human health have a historic opportunity. They need stamina and resilience to achieve something meaningful. Biotech’s relationship with the society that sustains it has never been more tenuous.
Join host Luke Timmerman for in-depth, thought-provoking conversations with biotech newsmakers pursuing these great opportunities of the 21st century.
Antarctic explorer Ernest Shackleton would appreciate today's biotech. Scientific entrepreneurs of the 21st century must be ready for what Shackleton called the “hazardous journey, bitter cold, long months of complete darkness, constant danger, safe return doubtful, honor and recognition in case of success.” Today, the men and women who strive to apply science for the betterment of human health have a historic opportunity. They need stamina and resilience to achieve something meaningful. Biotech’s relationship with the society that sustains it has never been more tenuous.
Join host Luke Timmerman for in-depth, thought-provoking conversations with biotech newsmakers pursuing these great opportunities of the 21st century.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Nov 20, 2025 • 1h 13min
Ep190: Neil Kumar on Building a Rare Disease Drug Company
Neil Kumar is founder and CEO of Palo Alto, Calif.-based BridgeBio Pharma, a rare disease drug developer.
Nov 12, 2025 • 1h 13min
Ep189: Marc Tessier-Lavigne on Reinventing Drug Discovery with AI
Marc Tessier-Lavigne, CEO of South San Francisco-based Xaira Therapeutics, on reinventing drug discovery with AI.
Oct 28, 2025 • 1h 9min
Ep188: Art Krieg on Innate Immune System Activators for Cancer
Art Krieg, founder and CEO of Zola Therapeutics, on developing innate immune system activators for cancer.
11 snips
Oct 14, 2025 • 1h 6min
Ep187: Eric Fischer on Creating a New Class of Medicines
Eric Fischer, a structural biologist at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, dives into the innovative world of targeted protein degraders. He shares his early fascination with biology, recounts how thalidomide revealed new drug mechanisms, and contrasts PROTACs with molecular glues. Fischer discusses the importance of industry partnerships for translating academic discoveries into therapies and highlights the exciting potential of degraders in cancer treatment and beyond. Plus, he reflects on the collaborative environment in American research.
Sep 29, 2025 • 1h 3min
Ep186: Bruce Levine & Mags McCarthy on a Song About Science and Hope
Bruce Levine, a CAR-T cell therapy researcher at the University of Pennsylvania, and Mags McCarthy, a country music star, discuss their new song about science and hope for cancer patients.
16 snips
Sep 17, 2025 • 1h 6min
Ep185: Dr. Lachelle Weeks on Predicting Leukemia Risk At Scale
Dr. Lachelle Weeks is a physician-scientist at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, specializing in early detection and prevention of leukemia. She shares her journey from Newark to a pioneering career in medicine and research. Dr. Weeks delves into clonal hematopoiesis, a precursor to blood cancers, and discusses innovative methods like AI-driven blood smears for large-scale screening. With a focus on health equity, she emphasizes her vision for validated screening programs to help combat leukemia before it manifests. A must-listen for anyone interested in the future of cancer prevention!
13 snips
Aug 28, 2025 • 1h 50min
Ep184: Jen Adair on Affordable, Accessible Gene & Cell Therapies
Jen Adair, a leading professor at the Horae Gene Therapy Center, dives into the world of affordable gene and cell therapies. She shares her inspiring journey of resilience, overcoming personal challenges to champion healthcare equity. The discussion highlights the innovative approaches needed to make therapies more accessible, especially for underserved communities. Adair also emphasizes the significance of regional manufacturing in enhancing healthcare access globally, and the importance of collaboration and transparency in the research process to address systemic disparities.
Aug 6, 2025 • 56min
Ep183: Sabah Oney on CAR-T Cells Against Solid Tumors
Sabah Oney, CEO of Dispatch Biotherapeutics, specializes in engineered CAR-T cell therapies targeting solid tumors. In the discussion, she highlights the challenges of identifying unique cancer antigens and the use of oncolytic viruses to improve treatment efficacy. Oney shares innovative strategies for reprogramming CAR-T cells and enhancing the tumor microenvironment. She also emphasizes the importance of mission-driven leadership and collaboration within biotech, showcasing how a values-driven team can make breakthroughs in cancer research.
Jul 23, 2025 • 1h 1min
Ep182: Andy Rachleff & Yung Lie on Creative Ways to Back Science
Andy Rachleff and Yung Lie, board chair and CEO of Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation, on creative ways to support science amid budget cuts.
8 snips
Jul 1, 2025 • 57min
Ep181: Claire Mazumdar on a Two-Pronged Attack Against Cancer
In this engaging discussion, Claire Mazumdar, CEO of Bicara Therapeutics, shares insights on developing innovative bifunctional antibodies for cancer treatment. She dives into the promising results of Fiserafusp Alpha for head and neck cancer and the challenges of clinical trials during the pandemic. Claire emphasizes the crucial blend of science and business strategy in biotech, recounts her journey from academia to entrepreneurship, and highlights the importance of support systems in balancing a demanding career and family. This conversation reveals the evolving landscape of cancer treatments!
