Nathan Vardi considers these deals some of Wall Street’s greatest trades.
Industry’s success tied to BTK inhibitors and tyrosine kinase inhibitors.
Origin Story of Imbruvica and Calquence
Imbruvica’s precursor initially considered worthless, sold in a larger deal.
Robert Duggan, motivated by son’s cancer, invests in Pharmacyclics.
Conflict and drama unfold, leading to Hamdy’s departure from Pharmacyclics
Business vs. Science: Conflict and Collaboration
Conflict between profit (business) and improving lives (science) underlies the story.
Vardi explores interpersonal conflicts and investors’ impact on biotech startups.
Wayne Rothbaum funds Acerta Pharma, enforces stealth mode and scientific involvement.
Vardi raises questions about the role of startups in the pharmaceutical industry and examines if small-scale startups genuinely contribute to medical progress.
Impact on Medical Professionals
Vardi discusses physician-scientists’ roles in drug development and administration and their feelings of being shortchanged by corporate megadeals.
Financial gains often favor capital over labor, even in drug development.