PETRI DISH PERSPECTIVES
By: Manead Khin
Language: en-us
Categories: Science, Life, Health, Fitness, Medicine
Burma | ChicagoScientist 🥼🧪🔬Covering biotech, pharma, and healthcare companies shaping the world 🧬🏥🌎Stream new episodes every THURSDAY!https://linktr.ee/maneadkhin#biotech #pharma #healthcare #podcast #petridishperspectives
Episodes
Episode 37: Theranos
Jan 08, 2026Send us a text
Theranos promised to revolutionize healthcare with a single drop of blood and became one of the most infamous failures in biotech history.
In this episode, we trace the full rise and fall of Elizabeth Holmes and Theranos, from its founding in 2003 to its dramatic collapse and criminal convictions nearly two decades later. We explore how ambition, secrecy, and Silicon Valley mythology allowed unproven science to scale into a $9 billion company, how powerful board members and investors failed to ask the right questions, and how whistleblowers and investigative journalism ultimately exposed the t...
Duration: 00:26:06Episode 36: Novo Nordisk
Jan 01, 2026Send us a text
Novo Nordisk’s rise is one of the most extraordinary stories in modern medicine. What began in 1920s Denmark as a response to a fatal disease evolved into a company that reshaped how the world treats diabetes, obesity, and metabolic illness.
In this episode, we trace Novo Nordisk’s journey from the discovery of insulin and a decades-long rivalry between two Danish labs, to a landmark merger, global expansion, and steady leadership in diabetes care. We explore how the company mastered insulin manufacturing, pioneered drug delivery systems, and quietly built one of t...
Duration: 00:23:34December 2025: Biotech & Pharma NEWS Roundup
Jan 01, 2026Send us a text
Welcome to your essential overview of the global biotech and pharmaceutical landscape for December 2025!
This month was dominated by a surge in M&A activity and licensing deals.
🎧 Listen now, stay curious, and don’t forget to subscribe for new episodes!
https://linktr.ee/maneadkhin
#PetriDishPerspectives #BiotechNews #PharmaNews
Support the show
© 2025 Petri Dish Perspectives LLC. All rights reserved.
Duration: 00:10:32Episode 35: Dyes to Pharma
Dec 25, 2025Send us a text
Before there were blockbuster drugs, clinical trials, and biotech startups, there was… dye.
In this episode of Petri Dish Perspectives, we explore one of the most overlooked origin stories in modern medicine: how 19th-century chemical dye companies laid the foundation for today’s pharmaceutical giants. From coal tar chemistry and synthetic pigments to the birth of industrial drug discovery, this episode unpacks why companies like Bayer, BASF, Ciba, and Hoechst evolved from coloring textiles to curing disease.
We dive into the science that connects dyes and drugs, the role of w...
Duration: 00:23:08Episode 34: Astellas
Dec 18, 2025Send us a text
In this episode, we explore the evolution of Astellas Pharma, from the merger of two century-old Japanese firms into a global biopharmaceutical powerhouse. We trace how a culture of disciplined research led to breakthrough medicines like Prograf, transformed transplant medicine, and later to Xtandi, a prostate cancer therapy born from academic insight and refined through global collaboration. We unpack how Astellas quietly repositioned itself toward oncology, gene therapy, and regenerative medicine while navigating the challenges of globalization, risk-taking, and long development timelines.
This episode is about how long-term thinking, scientific rigor...
Duration: 00:25:30Episode 33: Novartis
Dec 11, 2025Send us a text
In this episode of Petri Dish Perspectives, we dive deep into the remarkable evolution of Novartis, one of the world’s most influential and scientifically ambitious pharmaceutical companies. From its 18th-century dye-making origins to its modern dominance in gene therapy, oncology, and complex biologics, Novartis has become a case study in strategic reinvention.
We explore the company’s defining breakthroughs from Gleevec, the drug that rewrote the playbook for targeted cancer therapies, to cutting-edge innovations like CAR-T, RNA therapeutics, radioligand therapy, and AI-driven drug design. You’...
Duration: 00:23:39Episode 32: Recursion
Dec 04, 2025Send us a text
Can a machine discover a cure faster than a scientist? Welcome to the revolutionary world of Recursion Pharmaceuticals, the pioneering TechBio company determined to solve biology using AI and industrial automation.
In this deep-dive, we explore how Recursion replaced slow, human-biased research with the Recursion OS, a closed-loop platform that generates massive, proprietary biological data. Learn about the company's bold vision, from the crucial $50 million NVIDIA investment and the strategic merger with Exscientia to the immense computational power of the Boltz-2...
Duration: 00:23:11November 2025: Biotech & Pharma NEWS Roundup
Dec 01, 2025Send us a text
Welcome to your essential overview of the global biotech and pharmaceutical landscape for November 2025!
This month was dominated by a surge in M&A activity, with high-profile bidding wars!
🎧 Listen now, stay curious, and don’t forget to subscribe for new episodes!
https://linktr.ee/maneadkhin
#PetriDishPerspectives #BiotechNews #PharmaNews
Support the show
© 2025 Petri Dish Perspectives LLC. All rights reserved.
Duration: 00:10:40Episode 31: Bispecific Antibodies
Nov 27, 2025Send us a text
Unlock the future of immunotherapy. For decades, traditional antibody drugs were limited to tagging a single target. Now, meet the Bispecific Antibody (BsAb): a revolutionary molecule engineered to simultaneously grab two different targets, acting as a molecular "handcuff" to drag your immune system's most powerful killer, the T cell, directly to the cancer cell.
In this episode, we trace the incredible scientific journey of BsAbs: from the manufacturing failure of the Quadroma Problem to the engineering solution of the "Knobs-into-Holes" strategy...
Duration: 00:23:20Episode 30: Metsera
Nov 20, 2025Send us a text
In this episode of Petri Dish Perspectives:, we dive into one of the most dramatic biotech stories of the decade: the rise of Metsera, the VC-backed obesity startup that triggered a rare billion-dollar bidding war between two pharma giants, Pfizer and Novo Nordisk.
We explore how Metsera quietly emerged from Flagship’s venture creation engine, how its science positioned it as a next-generation competitor in the GLP-1 era, and why its pipeline, from injectable GLP-1s to amylin analogs, became one of the most sought-after assets in metabolic disease. Yo...
Duration: 00:25:28Episode 29: Charles River Laboratories
Nov 13, 2025Send us a text
In this episode of Petri Dish Perspectives, we dive into the untold story of Charles River Laboratories, the quiet giant behind nearly every major drug you’ve ever heard of.
From its origins on the banks of Massachusetts’ Charles River, where Dr. Henry Foster began breeding lab rats to support post-war research, to its evolution into a global scientific infrastructure company, Charles River has shaped the very foundation of modern drug development.
We’ll explore how a small animal breeding business became the unseen...
Duration: 00:23:34Episode 28: Regeneron
Nov 06, 2025Send us a text
In this episode of Petri Dish Perspectives: Biotech Unleashed, host Manead dives into the remarkable story of Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, from its humble beginnings in Tarrytown to becoming one of the world’s leading biotech innovators.
Discover how founders Leonard Schleifer and George Yancopoulos turned early failure into scientific triumph with breakthrough drugs like Eylea, Dupixent, and the COVID-19 antibody cocktail that changed the global response.
We explore how Regeneron built a culture rooted in pure science, balanced innovation with co...
Duration: 00:23:19Episode 27: Tempus AI
Oct 31, 2025Send us a text
What if the cure for cancer or the key to mental health, wasn’t hidden in a new drug, but in data itself? In this episode of Petri Dish Perspectives, we uncover the story of Tempus AI, the company turning raw medical information into lifesaving insight.
Founded by Eric Lefkofsky, the entrepreneur behind Groupon, Tempus began as a deeply personal mission to bring clarity to cancer care. Today, it’s one of the most advanced AI-driven healthcare platforms in the world, combining genomics, clinical data, and machine lear...
Duration: 00:23:38Episode 26: Wuxi AppTec
Oct 23, 2025Send us a text
What if the secret engine driving modern drug discovery wasn’t in Boston or Basel, but in Shanghai? In this episode of Petri Dish Perspectives: Biotech Unleashed, host Manead dives deep into the rise of WuXi AppTec, a company that redefined how the world develops medicine.
We explore its fascinating journey, from a humble chemistry startup founded by Dr. Ge Li to a global R&D and manufacturing giant that helps nearly every top pharma and biotech company bring therapies to life. You’ll learn how...
Duration: 00:23:42Episode 25: CVS Health
Oct 16, 2025Send us a text
From a small pharmacy in Massachusetts to a $100 billion healthcare empire, CVS Health has redefined what it means to be a pharmacy. In this episode of Petri Dish Perspectives: Biotech Unleashed, host Manead dives into CVS’s fascinating evolution, from its early days as Consumer Value Store to its bold moves acquiring Aetna and transforming into a fully integrated healthcare provider.
We explore how CVS blended retail, insurance, and clinical services to build one of the most powerful healthcare ecosystems in the United States and how it continues to shape the fu...
Duration: 00:23:10Episode 24: GLP-1 Agonists
Oct 09, 2025Send us a text
From a lizard’s venom to Hollywood’s favorite weight-loss trend, this episode of Petri Dish Perspectives: Biotech Unleashed dives deep into the fascinating journey of GLP-1 agonists.
Discover how scientists uncovered a gut hormone that revolutionized diabetes care, led to the creation of Ozempic and Mounjaro, and sparked a cultural movement around body image and health. We’ll trace the science, the breakthroughs, and the billion-dollar race shaping the future of metabolic medicine.
🎧 Listen now, stay curious, and don’t forget to subscribe for new episodes every Thursday! Duration: 00:23:18
Episode 23: Alnylam
Oct 02, 2025Send us a text
What if you could silence disease at its genetic root? That was the bold promise behind RNA interference (RNAi), one of the most groundbreaking scientific discoveries of the 21st century.
In this episode, we dive into the story of Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, from its founding by a powerhouse team of Nobel laureates, pioneering scientists, and biotech visionaries, to its transformation into the world’s first RNAi therapeutics company. We explore the challenges of turning a fragile lab discovery into medicine, the blockbuster drugs that redefined rare disease treatment, and the pe...
Duration: 00:23:30Episode 22: Takeda
Sep 25, 2025Send us a text
From its humble beginnings in 1781 as a family-run herbal medicine shop in Osaka to becoming one of the world’s top 10 pharmaceutical companies, Takeda’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and bold transformation.
In this episode of Petri Dish Perspectives: Biotech Unleashed, host Manead unpacks Takeda’s 240-year journey, from the vision of founder Chobei Takeda, through the blockbuster eras of Prevacid and Actos, to the game-changing acquisition of Shire under CEO Christophe Weber. We’ll dive into the discovery stories behind Takeda’s most important drugs, the leaders who left their...
Duration: 00:24:06Episode 21: Moderna
Sep 18, 2025Send us a text
From secrecy and skepticism to one of the fastest vaccine rollouts in history, this episode of Petri Dish Perspectives: Biotech Unleashed dives into the remarkable journey of Moderna. We trace the company’s early hype, billion-dollar partnerships, and criticism for overpromising, through to its historic COVID-19 vaccine that changed global medicine. What’s next for Moderna beyond the pandemic? Tune in to explore how one biotech bet on mRNA and won.
Whether you’re a biotech enthusiast, a healthcare professional, or just curious about the companies that quietly keep hospitals running, this e...
Duration: 00:24:38Episode 20: Baxter
Sep 11, 2025Send us a text
Baxter may not always grab the biotech headlines, but its impact on modern healthcare is impossible to ignore. From the first commercially prepared IV solutions in the 1930s to pioneering dialysis fluids, blood systems, recombinant hemophilia therapies, and parenteral nutrition, Baxter has consistently solved medicine’s “unsexy but essential” problems.
In this episode, we dive into the company’s origins, explore the backstories of its most important innovations, and trace how it spun off biotech powerhouse Baxalta, later snapped up by Shire and Takeda. Along the way, we highlight the people who left...
Duration: 00:23:06Episode 19: AstraZeneca
Sep 04, 2025Send us a text
In this episode of Petri Dish Perspectives: Biotech Unleashed, host Manead explores the remarkable journey of AstraZeneca, from its unlikely Swedish-British merger to blockbuster drugs like Nexium and Crestor, through near-decline, and ultimately its reinvention as a science-driven leader in oncology, cardiometabolic health, and global public health.
Discover how bold leadership, high-risk bets, and groundbreaking discoveries like Tagrisso, Enhertu, and Farxiga transformed AstraZeneca into one of today’s most innovative pharmaceutical giants.
🎧 Listen now, stay curious, and don’t forget to subscribe for new episodes every Thursday...
Duration: 00:23:09Episode 18: Gilead
Aug 28, 2025Send us a text
In this episode of Petri Dish Perspectives: Biotech Unleashed, we dive into the remarkable and controversial story of Gilead Sciences, a company that redefined what medicine could achieve. From its beginnings in the late 1980s under physician-scientist Michael Riordan, Gilead transformed antiviral drug development with breakthroughs in HIV treatment, revolutionized global health with a cure for hepatitis C, and pushed into oncology with cutting-edge CAR-T therapies.
But alongside these triumphs came firestorms of criticism, from the $84,000 price tag of Sovaldi to debates around HIV drug access and patents. Gilead...
Duration: 00:24:43Episode 17: GSK
Aug 21, 2025Send us a text
In this episode of Petri Dish Perspectives: Biotech Unleashed, we dive into the story of GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), one of the world’s most influential pharma giants!
From scaling up penicillin production in WWII, to pioneering semi-synthetic antibiotics like amoxicillin, to leading the global vaccine race with Cervarix and Shingrix, GSK has left an indelible mark on modern medicine. We also explore its groundbreaking role in HIV treatment through ViiV Healthcare, and the blockbuster drugs that reshaped respiratory and infectious disease care. Along the way, we draw key lessons on adaptability, collaboration, an...
Duration: 00:24:22Episode 16: Amgen
Aug 14, 2025Send us a text
In this episode of Petri Dish Perspectives: Biotech Unleashed, we dive deep into the origin story of Amgen, a company that helped turn “biotechnology” from a niche lab concept into a global medical force.
We’ll trace Amgen’s unlikely beginnings in 1980, a time when gene splicing was still the stuff of scientific legend and meet the eclectic founding team: George Rathmann, the charismatic chemist-turned-executive; Winston Salser, the UCLA scientist eager to bring basic research to patients; Bill Bowes, the venture capitalist who had already bet big on Genentech; and Ray...
Duration: 00:26:53Episode 15: BGI Genomics
Aug 07, 2025Send us a text
What happens when one of the world’s most powerful genomics companies rises from a college dorm in China and goes on to challenge the West’s biotech dominance? In this episode of Petri Dish Perspectives: Biotech Unleashed, we unravel the story of BGI Genomics, a company at the intersection of cutting-edge science, national ambition, and global controversy.
From decoding the human genome to building the world’s largest sequencing fleet, BGI’s journey is as bold as it is complex. We’ll explore the vision of its founders, its scient...
Duration: 00:23:24Episode 14: Abbott
Jul 31, 2025Send us a text
In this episode of Petri Dish Perspectives: Biotech Unleashed, host Manead takes you inside the remarkable story of Abbott Laboratories: a company that doesn’t chase headlines but touches billions of lives every day.
From its origins in 1888 as a small Chicago pharmacy mixing precise plant-based pills, Abbott has grown into a global healthcare powerhouse behind life-changing products like the FreeStyle Libre glucose monitor, BinaxNOW COVID-19 tests, Similac baby formula, Ensure nutrition shakes, and cutting-edge heart devices.
You’ll hear how a frontier doctor’s mission for safer, more reliab...
Duration: 00:24:55Episode 13: Sarepta
Jul 24, 2025Send us a text
DISCLAIMER: This is a consistently changing situation. The episode was recorded approximately 4 PM EDT Monday, July 21, 2025. As of 7.40 PM EDT Monday, July 21, 2025 (Source: Sarepta), "Sarepta Therapeutics notified the U.S. FDA of its decision to voluntarily and temporarily pause all shipments of ELEVIDYS (delandistrogene moxeparvovec) for Duchenne muscular dystrophy in the United States, effective close of business Tuesday, July 22, 2025."
🎙️ When Hope Collides with Risk: Sarepta’s Gene Therapy Crisis
In this episode of Petri Dish Perspectives, Manead goes off-script to unpack one of the hottest biotech stories in the he...
Duration: 00:23:06Episode 12: Vertex
Jul 17, 2025Send us a text
🔬✨ From Cystic Fibrosis Breakthroughs to Gene Editing Cures
In this episode of Petri Dish Perspectives: Biotech Unleashed, Manead unpacks how Vertex turned cystic fibrosis from a fatal disease into a treatable condition and why they’re now tackling sickle cell, diabetes, and more with CRISPR and stem cell science.
Discover how visionary chemists, Nobel-winning gene editors, and patient advocates built one of biotech’s most inspiring success stories, proving that deep science and real patient impact can go hand in hand.
Grab your coffee and hit play...
Duration: 00:24:55Episode 11: Genentech
Jul 10, 2025Send us a text
🧬 From VC to Blockbusters: The Genentech Story
In Episode 11 of Petri Dish Perspectives: Biotech Unleashed, host Manead dives into the legendary rise of Genentech, the startup that sparked the biotech revolution. From its humble beginnings in a borrowed lab to pioneering insulin, tPA, Herceptin, and more, learn how Genentech turned recombinant DNA into real-world cures. Discover the bold VC bets, game-changing antibodies, and the Roche acquisition that preserved its science-first culture. A must-listen for biotech nerds and curious minds alike!
🎧 Listen now, stay curious, and don’t forget t...
Duration: 00:26:46Episode 10: Roche
Jul 03, 2025Send us a text
💡 From Vitamin C to AI-Driven Diagnostics: Roche’s Legacy Unleashed
In this episode of Petri Dish Perspectives: Biotech Unleashed, we explore the extraordinary evolution of Roche, from its origins as a 19th-century Swiss chemical company to becoming a global leader in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics.
You’ll hear how Roche launched the world’s first branded vitamin C, pioneered molecular diagnostics with PCR, and laid the groundwork for today’s precision medicine revolution. We’ll also dive into how Roche’s unique dual-engine model—drugs + diagnostics, that helped shape modern healthcare...
Duration: 00:20:58Episode 9: Bayer
Jun 26, 2025Send us a text
🎧 From Dye Pots to Blockbusters: The Bayer Story
In this episode of Petri Dish Perspectives: Biotech Unleashed, host Manead takes you on a journey through Bayer’s 160+ year evolution, from its 1863 roots in coal tar dyes to becoming the maker of Aspirin 💊, Xarelto ❤️, and Eylea 👁️. We explore how a dye salesman and a master dyer built a pharma empire, the game-changing invention of Aspirin, blockbuster therapies, the turbulent Monsanto acquisition 🌾⚖️, and the company’s high-stakes reinvention under CEO Bill Anderson.
🧬 Science, strategy, and resilience — Bayer’s story is biotech history in motion.
...
Duration: 00:16:01Episode 8: Bristol Myers Squibb
Jun 19, 2025Send us a text
In this episode of Petri Dish Perspectives: Biotech Unleashed, we journey through the 165+ year saga of Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) — from 19th-century Brooklyn apothecaries and sparkling laxatives 💊 to cutting-edge CAR-T therapies and checkpoint inhibitors in cancer treatment 🧫🔥.
Host Manead, a PhD scientist in cancer biology and analytical chemistry, breaks down:
📜 The parallel founding stories of E.R. Squibb & Sons and Bristol-Myers
🧠 The game-changing 1989 merger that created BMS
❤️ Blockbuster hits in cardiovascular health (Plavix, anyone?)
🧪 The leap into immuno-oncology with Opdivo and Y...
Episode 7: Sanofi
Jun 12, 2025Send us a text
Ever wonder how an oil conglomerate helped create one of the world’s top pharma giants? 💥 In this episode of Petri Dish Perspectives: Biotech Unleashed, your host, Manead, dives into the fascinating story of Sanofi, a company whose name you’ve probably seen on insulin pens 💉, flu shots 🦠, and blockbuster immunology meds 💊.
We explore:
🔹 Sanofi’s wild beginnings inside a French oil giant 🛢️
🔹 Game-changing acquisitions — Aventis, Genzyme, and more 💸
🔹 Lantus and its dominance in diabetes care 🧃
🔹 Vaccine legacy from Louis Pasteur to COVID-19 🧫
🔹 The Dupixent boom and Regeneron partnership 🤝
🔹 Bold...
Episode 6: Merck
Apr 30, 2025Send us a text
In this episode of Petri Dish Perspectives: Biotech Unleashed, we'll take you on a 350-year journey through the rise of Merck, from its humble beginnings as a family-run pharmacy in 17th-century Germany to becoming one of the world’s most influential pharmaceutical powerhouses.
We’ll explore how Merck evolved through groundbreaking discoveries like streptomycin, the MMR vaccine, statins, and the game-changing cancer immunotherapy Keytruda. You’ll also hear about the incredible legacy of Dr. Maurice Hilleman, a vaccine pioneer whose work continues to save millions of lives today.
Along the wa...
Duration: 00:12:48Episode 5: Boehringer Ingelheim
Apr 09, 2025Send us a text
🐴 From Farmyard Roots to Pharma Powerhouse: The Boehringer Ingelheim Story 🐴
Welcome to Petri Dish Perspectives: Biotech Unleashed! 🚀 I’m your host, Manead—scientist and biotech nerd.
Today, we’re spotlighting Boehringer Ingelheim—a family-owned pharma giant that began in a small German village and grew into one of the world’s top 20 pharmaceutical companies. From veterinary vaccines to life-saving treatments for respiratory disease, diabetes, and cancer, Boehringer has quietly shaped medicine for humans and animals alike.
They’ve stayed private for over 135 years—what’s their secret? How did a rural chemist’s...
Duration: 00:16:11Episode 4: Johnson & Johnson
Apr 02, 2025Send us a text
In this episode of Petri Dish Perspectives: Biotech Unleashed, we dive into the rich history and groundbreaking innovations of Johnson & Johnson (J&J)—one of the most influential healthcare companies in the world. From its origins in the late 19th century as a family-run surgical supply business to becoming a household name with products like Band-Aids, Tylenol, and Johnson’s Baby Powder, J&J has shaped modern medicine in countless ways.
We’ll explore how Robert Wood Johnson I, alongside his brothe...
Duration: 00:19:35Episode 3: AbbVie
Mar 26, 2025Send us a text
In this episode of Petri Dish Perspectives: Biotech Unleashed, we explore the rise of AbbVie, a pharmaceutical giant that emerged from Abbott Laboratories in 2013 and quickly became a leader in immunology, oncology, and aesthetics.
From its blockbuster drug Humira to major acquisitions like Pharmacyclics and Allergan, AbbVie has strategically expanded its portfolio and global presence. We’ll break down the company’s history, key milestones, and the vision driving its future—including cutting-edge research in neuroscience and gene therapy.
Join me as we...
Duration: 00:15:40Episode 2: Eli Lilly
Mar 20, 2025Send us a text
Welcome to Petri Dish Perspectives: Biotech Unleashed! In this episode, we dive deep into the history and impact of Eli Lilly, a company that began with a small lab in Indianapolis and has grown into the highest market-cap pharmaceutical company in the world.
From pioneering insulin production in the 1920s to developing blockbuster drugs like Prozac, Humalog, and Mounjaro, Eli Lilly has played a crucial role in shaping modern medicine. We’ll explore the founding story, key scientific breakthroughs, and the co...
Duration: 00:24:34Episode 1: Pfizer
Mar 12, 2025Send us a text
💊 From Brooklyn to Biotech Titan: The Rise of Pfizer 💊
Welcome to the first-ever episode of Petri Dish Perspectives: Biotech Unleashed! 🚀 I’m your host, Manead—scientist, biotech nerd, and your guide through the fascinating world of life sciences.
We’re kicking things off with Pfizer—a company that started as a small chemical business in Brooklyn and grew into a global powerhouse. From upscaling penicillin in WWII to revolutionizing cholesterol treatment with Lipitor, turning a failed heart drug into Viagra, and spearheading the COVID-19 vaccine...
Duration: 00:17:17