#346 - Scaling biotech and improving global health: lessons from an extraordinary career in medicine | Susan Desmond-Hellmann, M.D., M.P.H. | The Peter Attia Drive | Podwise
This episode explores the extraordinary career of Dr. Susan Desmond-Hellmann, a physician whose impactful journey spans medicine, oncology, biotech, and global health leadership. Against the backdrop of her internal medicine residency at UCSF during the early, uncertain days of the AIDS crisis, Dr. Desmond-Hellmann recounts her experiences treating patients with Kaposi's sarcoma and Pneumocystis pneumonia, highlighting the challenges of managing uncertainty and balancing public health messaging with accelerating treatment breakthroughs. More significantly, her specialization in oncology and work in Uganda treating HIV-related cancers reinforced the need for integrating epidemiology, patient care, and policy to combat global health crises. As the discussion pivoted to her biotech career, she details her contributions to developing breakthrough cancer drugs like Taxol, Herceptin, and Avastin, emphasizing the role of precision medicine in improving outcomes. Finally, her leadership roles at UCSF and the Gates Foundation, along with her current position on the OpenAI board, underscore her commitment to driving innovation in healthcare and global health, and leveraging AI for drug development and expanding access to high-quality care. What this means for the future of medicine is a continued focus on integrating scientific innovation with effective leadership to address global health challenges and improve patient outcomes.
