Topics & People

A class of widely prescribed anti-depressants (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors). GLP-1 drugs are being explored as a potential alternative or adjunct for improving psychological health, representing a potential disruption.

A 2011 US law that changed the patent system from 'first to invent' to 'first to file'. This change incentivizes companies to file patents as early as possible, which inadvertently exposes the invention to 'patent hacking' by competitors.

An upcoming pill version of the GLP-1 drug from Eli Lilly, expected next year. This format aims to improve convenience and accessibility, with a primary goal of getting it reimbursed by insurance.

A blockbuster cancer drug from Merck whose quarterly sales were surpassed by Eli Lilly's Tirzepatide, marking a major shift in the pharmaceutical market.

Predicted by Dave Ricks to be the next major area for pharmaceutical breakthroughs, citing that they account for 40% of human suffering globally and current treatments are often inadequate.

National Institutes of Health.

The intersection of AI, agentic technology, and physics applied to medical diagnosis and treatments.

A widespread societal issue exacerbated by poor physical health and digital distraction.

The massive substance abuse epidemic driving the visible street crises in Los Angeles.

A strategy where companies, particularly in China, analyze a filed patent to reverse-engineer a similar chemical structure that behaves similarly but falls outside the patent's legal scope. This is a significant threat to biotech innovation.

The venture capital market for biotechnology, which has plummeted from a peak of ~$20 billion to ~$5 billion a year in new investments. Dave Ricks describes the current market as a 'dumpster fire', making it difficult for new biotech firms to get funding.

Research and Development is the primary focus for Eli Lilly's capital allocation, with the company spending 25% of its sales ($14.2 billion this year) to create the next generation of medicines.