Trending Health

In this news episode of Trending Health, Mindy McGrath and Everly Petruzzelli break down the evolving regulatory landscape at the FDA and what it means for life sciences leaders. This episode covers:Staff changes to the FDA and approval pathway pilot programsRising scrutiny on trial design — especially in rare diseaseThe FDA’s firmer stance on compounded GLP-1s as shortages ease From regulatory unpredictability to access, pricing, and portfolio risk, we explore how life sciences leaders should adapt in a more dynamic regulatory environment. For additional discussion and to see the sources referenced in this episode, check out TrendingHealth.com. Panel – Mindy McGrath & Everly Petruzzelli Recording & Editing – Mike Liberto & Rachel Skonecki  Source Links: J&J\’s Tecvayli-Darzalex multiple myeloma combo takes home FDA\’s 3rd national priority nod  FDA slammed over rare disease drug decisions Disc\’s rare disease drug hit by FDA rejection FDA rejects Biohaven approval request for troriluzole, triggering cost cutting FDA reverses course, agrees to review Moderna’s flu vaccine FDA ramps up crackdown on GLP-1 drug compounding with fresh batch of 30 warning letters 

As 2026 begins, pharma leaders are placing sharper bets earlier while navigating increasing pressure across pricing, access, and evidence. In this episode, Matt Riordan, Group President, Putnam, shares a candid, executive-level view of what leaders are prioritizing this year, where confidence is high, and where blind spots may limit impact. Drawing on real-world leadership conversations, the discussion explores how access and evidence expectations are shifting upstream and what it takes to pressure-test assumptions, align strategy earlier, and lead with greater clarity in 2026. Panel – Mindy McGrath, Matt Riordan   Recording & Editing – Mike Liberto, Rachel Skonecki  For additional discussion, please contact us at TrendingHealth.com. 

As we kick off 2026, Mindy sits down with Inizio Ignite Global President, Remco op den Kelder, to discuss the industry forces shaping the year ahead for life sciences companies.    Panel – Mindy McGrath, Remco op den Kelder   Recording & Editing – Mike Liberto, Rachel Skonecki    For additional discussion, please contact us at TrendingHealth.com.

The rules of product launch are changing fast. Policy reform, payer pressure, AI adoption, and shifting system dynamics are redefining how life sciences companies prepare for market. In this episode, Summer Atkinson sits down with Vynamic Health Industry Advisor Mindy McGrath to unpack the biggest forces impacting launches today—from accelerating decision-making to growing health system control—and how leading organizations are building agility, transparency, and value-driven strategies to stay ahead. To learn more about how we can help your team navigate these changing landscapes, please reach out to brian.stamm@vynamic.com or ashley.stanley@vynamic.com  Podcast Tags: life sciences, product launch, market access, payer strategy, AIPanel – Summer Atkinson, Mindy McGrathResearch & Production – Summer Atkinson, Adrea CopeRecording & Editing – Mike Liberto, Rachel SkoneckiFor additional discussion, please contact us at TrendingHealth.com.

In recent years, there has been renewed interest in psychedelic treatment for a variety of medical conditions ranging from depression to trauma, and even dementia, which has left countless people searching for real recovery. This exciting research is challenging the limits of what’s possible. Psychedelic compounds, once misunderstood or dismissed, are now being studied for their ability to promote neuroplasticity, neurogenesis, and reduction in inflammation. In this episode of Trending Health, we’re joined by three individuals who are passionate about the growing clinical utility of psychedelic treatments. However, with these treatments, it is critical to think about how to put the patient in the middle and engaged with their treatment to help ensure optimal outcomes: Varun Renjen, a partner at Inizio Putnam and a physician who has been supporting biopharma clients as a strategy consultant for the past 15 years; especially in neurological diseases; Steve Levine, Chief Patient Officer at Compass Pathways and board-certified psychiatrist who has spent his career working to improve people’s lives through creating access to innovation in mental health;  Daniel Carcillo, a former NHL hockey player who developed Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and depression from the sport who has been successfully treated with psychedelic therapy as a patient and is an advocate for access to psychedelic treatment for brain injury Tags: healthcare, psychedelics, psilocybin, mushrooms, concussions, traumatic brain injuries, depression, mental health, medical affairs Panel – Varun Renjen, Steve Levine, Daniel Carcillo Recording & Editing – Mike Liberto For additional discussion, please contact us at TrendingHealth.com.

The traditional path to patients is being rewritten. As affordability pressures rise and patient expectations shift, life sciences companies are rethinking the middle — moving beyond payers, providers, and pharmacies to create direct, digital pathways that meet patients where they are.In this episode, host Adrea Cope is joined by Colleen Ferlotti and Rupa Mehta to unpack the rapid rise of Direct-to-Patient (DTP) models: what’s fueling the shift, how leaders are navigating regulatory and operational complexity, and why success depends on designing with both discipline and empathy.To learn more about how we can help your team navigate these changing landscapes, please reach out to Mike.Zapiec@vynamic.com Podcast Tags: healthcare, life sciences, life sciences marketing, direct to patient, patient centricity, digital health  Source Links: Triangle Insights Group (August 2025). The Direct-to-Patient Channel in Pharma: A Practical Guide to Protect GTN, Expand Access, and Improve Patient Experience. Panel – Adrea Cope, Colleen Ferlotti, Rupa Mehta Research & Production – Adrea Cope, Colleen Ferlotti, Rupa Mehta, Peter Svalbe, Mike Zapiec Recording & Editing – Mike Liberto For additional discussion, please contact us at TrendingHealth.com.  

As Gen Z steps into the healthcare workforce, they’re bringing new expectations for authenticity, technology, and purpose-driven brands. The old pharma playbook? Invisible to this generation.In this episode of Trending Health, host Adrea Cope sits down with Carolyn Frantz and Mindy McGrath to explore how life sciences marketers can evolve to engage the next generation of HCPs and patients — from short-form content and streaming-first strategies to redefining the pharma rep of the future.To learn more about how we can help your team navigate these changing landscapes, please reach out to Carolyn.Frantz@vynamic.com or Mike.Zapiec@vynamic.comPodcast Tags: healthcare, life sciences, life sciences marketing, Gen Z, digital health, brand authenticitySource Links:Gen Z more likely to report mental health concernsGeneration X Faces Higher Cancer Rates Than Boomers: StudyPanel – Adrea Cope, Carolyn Frantz, Mindy McGrathResearch & Production – Adrea Cope, Carolyn Frantz, Hannah Yee, Mike ZapiecRecording & Editing – Mike Liberto, Rachel SkoneckiFor additional discussion, please contact us at TrendingHealth.com.

With external shifts in regulatory uncertainty tied to the IRA, payer pressures, shifting Federal and state policies, and broader scrutiny around pricing, Life Science companies are transforming their operations to deliver better value, grow, and create meaningful impact in the future. In this last episode of the Strategic Transformation series, Mindy McGrath is joined by Karen Baldry and Andrew Sgarlato to discuss what’s driving strategic transformations, how life science companies are tackling this and key considerations for leaders embarking on this journey.To learn more about how we can help your team navigate these strategic decisions, reach out to Karen.Baldry@vynamic.com and Andrew.Sgarlato@vynamic.com. Podcast Tags: healthcare, life sciences, healthcare strategy, health innovation, strategic transformation Panel – Mindy McGrath, Karen Baldry, Andrew Sgarlato Research & Production – Mindy McGrath, Karen Baldry, Andrew Sgarlato Recording & Editing – Mike Liberto, Rachel Skonecki For additional discussion, please contact us at TrendingHealth.com.

Between pharmacy closures, drug shortages, technological innovations, and workforce shortages, pharmacies are at a pivot point and must evolve to keep up with this changing environment. In this episode of the Strategic Transformation series, Mindy McGrath, Saurabh Raman, and Ryan Hummel explore how the Pharmacy Channel is reimagining the pharmacist’s role from prescription dispensers to trusted, longitudinal care partners.  To learn more about how we can help your team navigate these strategic decisions, reach out to Saurabh.Raman@vynamic.com and Ryan.Hummel@vynamic.com.Podcast Tags: healthcare, pharmacy, pharmacy channel, healthcare strategy, health innovation, strategic transformation Source Links: 2024-2025 Pharmacy Trends Include Improved Drug Shortages, More Pharmacy Closures  Walgreens agrees to be acquired by private equity firm for almost $10 billion Combating the Post-Pandemic Pharmacy Workforce Shortage Honesty/Ethics in Professions CVS reaps benefits of improved pharmacy experience  Why consumer experience is clinically important in health care Walgreens’ Move to Go Private: 4 Key Takeaways CVS is expanding its MinuteClinics into primary care. Here\’s why Where Are Amazon, CVS and Walgreens Headed in Health Care? Panel – Mindy McGrath, Saurabh Raman, Ryan Hummel  Research & Production – Saurabh Raman, Ryan Hummel, Everly Petruzzelli Recording & Editing – Mike Liberto, Rachel Skonecki For additional discussion, please contact us at TrendingHealth.com.

In a world of financial pressures, workforce challenges, and increased focus on the patient experience, health systems are continuing to assess their operations to improve efficiencies and grow through strategic transformation. In this episode of the Strategic Transformation series, Mindy McGrath, Saurabh Raman, and Ryan Hummel discuss how health systems can best optimize their operational systems through standardization and centralization to address some of these challenges and improve their patient and employee experience. To learn more about how we can help your team navigate these strategic decisions, reach out to Saurabh.Raman@vynamic.com and Ryan.Hummel@vynamic.com. Podcast Tags: healthcare, health systems, healthcare strategy, health innovation, strategic transformationSource Links: 2025 Outlook: Hospital finances show signs of stability, but rising costs will be a major headwind Costs of Caring | AHA  Emergency Department Utilization (EDU) – NCQA Patients as Consumers: New Research Report Shows A New Era of Expectations in Healthcare To Improve Health Care, Focus on Fixing Systems — Not People Panel – Mindy McGrath, Saurabh Raman, Ryan Hummel  Research & Production – Saurabh Raman, Ryan Hummel, Everly Petruzzelli Recording & Editing – Mike Liberto, Rachel Skonecki For additional discussion, please contact us at TrendingHealth.com. 

In this Trending Health series, Vynamic team members will highlight how different sectors of the health industry are evolving to meet the demands of today’s ever-changing healthcare landscape through value creation and strategic transformations.In this episode, Mindy McGrath, Saurabh Raman, and Ryan Hummel dive into how payers are shifting from short-term cost cutting to long-term strategic transformation as a result of rising costs, policy upheaval, and evolving consumer demands.To learn more about how we can help your team navigate these strategic decisions, reach out to Saurabh.Raman@vynamic.com and Ryan.Hummel@vynamic.com. Podcast Tags: healthcare, health plan, healthcare strategy, health innovation, strategic transformation Source Links:Medical cost trend: Behind the numbers 2025 UnitedHealth reports highest medical costs since COVID-19 pandemic’s start New Evernorth program to cap out-of-pocket costs for Wegovy, Zepbound at $200 Spending growth on GLP-1s outpaces specialty drugs: Evernorth study Elevance Health Reports First Quarter 2024 Results Panel – Mindy McGrath, Saurabh Raman, Ryan Hummel Research & Production – Julia Morrison, Saurabh Raman, Ryan Hummel, Everly PetruzzelliRecording & Editing – Mike Liberto, Rachel SkoneckiFor additional discussion, please contact us at TrendingHealth.com. 

The complexity of today’s product launch environment demands a smarter, more optimized approach when it comes to planning—artificial intelligence (AI) is a potential tool to help teams keep up with the demanding pace. In the final episode of the Product Launch Series, Everly is joined by Ashley Stanley & Matt O\’Dell to explore how GenAI is already being leveraged across the launch lifecycle — from content creation to competitive intelligence — and how teams can build AI fluency now to stay ahead of tomorrow’s launch challenges.To learn more about how we can help your team integrate or optimize AI tools into your next product launch, reach out to Ashley.Stanley@vynamic.com and Matt.ODell@vynamic.com.Podcast Tags: healthcare, life sciences, product launch, product launch trends, life sciences trends, artificial intelligence, generative artificial intelligence, AI, GenAI  Sources: NYU AI Architect Says Mastering GenAI Means Changing Our Behavior  Panel –Everly Petruzzelli, Ashley Stanley, Matt O\’Dell Research & Production – Zara Ahmad, Adrea Cope, Everly Petruzzelli  Recording & Editing – Mike Liberto, Rachel Skonecki For additional discussion, please contact us at TrendingHealth.com.

In this special episode of Trending Health, Mindy McGrath and Karen Baldry explore how recent changes across the U.S. federal health agencies and policies from the new administration are impacting the life sciences and biotech industry compounding with other pressures like the IRA, tariffs, and budget constraints. From launch delays at the FDA to supply chain strain and evolving patient access challenges, Mindy and Karen provide strategic considerations for commercial leaders as they navigate these shifts and uncertainties.   To learn more about how we can help your team with scenario planning and navigating these strategic decisions, reach out to . Check out our recent insights for more information: U.S. Federal Health Agency Layoffs Pose Strategic Risk and Disruption to Life Sciences & The Case for Strategic Transformation: An Executive Conversation with Vynamic’s Leaders    Podcast Tags: healthcare, life sciences, public health, life sciences trends, healthcare strategy, health innovation    Panel – Mindy McGrath, Karen Baldry  Research & Production – Mindy McGrath, Karen Baldry, Everly Petruzzelli  Recording & Editing – Mike Liberto, Rachel Skonecki   

Healthcare providers (HCPs) are busier and more overwhelmed than ever before, meaning the customer experience can no longer be an afterthought—it must be a strategic priority. In this Trending Health episode, Everly is joined by Raina Dhir & Colleen Lawlor to tackle a challenge every launch team faces—how to break through the noise and truly connect with HCPs at launch. Raina, Colleen, and Everly explore strategies for creating personalized, high-impact HCP experiences to truly enable leaders to differentiate their launches.To learn more about how we can help your team, reach out to colleen.lawlor@vynamic.com and raina.dhir@vynamic.com. Check out our recent Omnichannel Insight on our website for more information: From strategy to execution: Delivering an omnichannel transformation – Vynamic LLC Podcast Tags: healthcare, life sciences, product launch, product launch trends, life sciences trends, launch excellence, customer engagement, customer experience Panel –Everly Petruzzelli, Colleen Lawlor, Raina Dhir Research & Production – Julia Morrison, Adrea Cope, Everly Petruzzelli  Recording & Editing – Mike Liberto, Rachel Skonecki For additional discussion, please contact us at TrendingHealth.com.

In today’s fast-paced environment of product launch, planning and preparation aren’t just important—they are essential to launch success. In our second episode of the Trending Health Product Launch Series, Everly is joined by two more Vynamic Launch Leaders, Christina and Swathi, as they explore critical launch readiness tools and key considerations to ensure launch teams, processes, and crucial systems are well prepared, tested, and ready for launch.  To learn more about how we can help your team to become launch ready or to conduct a mock launch, please contact christina.nikolos@vynamic.com and swathi.ramakrishnan@vynamic.com Podcast Tags: healthcare, life sciences, product launch, product launch trends, life sciences trends, launch excellence, launch readiness, mock launch, launch navigation Panel –Everly Petruzzelli, Christina Nikolos, Swathi Ramakrishnan  Research & Production – Zara Ahmad, Adrea Cope, Everly Petruzzelli  Recording & Editing – Mike Liberto, Rachel Skonecki For additional discussion, please contact us at TrendingHealth.com.

In this Trending Health Series, Vynamic Product Launch leaders will share their experience partnering with teams across the launch journey to provide tips and tricks for leaders to consider adopting in their next launch. For this episode, Everly, Alex, and Felice dive into how companies can establish a strong foundation for their launch by embedding launch excellence into the culture and establishing flexible frameworks to enable teams to be set up for long-term success. To learn more about how we help organizations build or maintain a culture of launch excellence, reach out to  . Please check out our other Launch Excellence Insights on the Vynamic website: Embedding Launch Excellence as a Cultural Mindset & Rethinking Launch Planning: Investing Early for Launch Success – Vynamic LLC    Podcast Tags: healthcare, life sciences, product launch, product launch trends, life sciences trends, launch excellence    Panel – Everly Petruzzelli, Alex Snopko, Felice Walter  Research & Production – Julia Morrison, Adrea Cope, Everly Petruzzelli   Recording & Editing – Mike Liberto, Rachel Skonecki    For additional discussion, please contact us at TrendingHealth.com. 

Can AI make supply chains smarter and more human? In the latest episode of our European Healthcare Innovation Roadshow, Ollie May, Dan Ahern, and Andrés Vadillo from Roche explore how AI is reshaping supply chain planning—from everyday productivity boosts to balancing resilience, cost, and culture. Andrés is sharing his own personal views, which might not necessarily reflect Roche\’s position.   Podcast Tags: AI, Healthcare Innovation, Digital Health   Panel – Ollie May, Dan Ahern, Andres Vadillo Research & Production – Dan Ahern, Andres Vadillo Recording & Editing – Mike Liberto, Rachel Skonecki   For additional discussion, please leave a comment or contact us at TrendingHealth.com.

France is making waves in AI-driven healthcare—scaling fast, innovating boldly, and balancing Silicon Valley agility with EU oversight. But is this the winning formula? In the latest episode in our European Healthcare Innovation Roadshow series, Ollie May, Jack Young, and Nathan Carroll break it all down.Podcast Tags: AI, Healthcare Innovation, Digital HealthSource Links:Artificial intelligence in drug development | Nature MedicineUsing Artificial Intelligence to Fight Dengue | UNICEF USAFrance Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Healthcare Market AnalysisFrance leads Europe in AI innovation with 751 start-upsHealthcare innovation 2030.pdfHealthTech: French companies tap into data and AI to become world leaders in medical innovation – Bpifrance.comEthics are at the heart of France\’s digital health strategy | MobiHealthNewsThe French Health Data Hub and the German Medical Informatics Initiatives: Two National Projects to Promote Data Sharing in HealthcareHealthTech: French companies tap into data and AI to become world leaders in medical innovation – Bpifrance.comAP-HP has selected Aiforia as a partner for AI-assisted pathology image analysisAP-HP partners with Gleamer to innovate in the detection of thoracic radiological anomaliesFederated learning in healthcare: the future of collaborative clinical and biomedical researchOwkin unveils new insights into the opportunities and challenges for digital pathology and AI solutions in healthcare – OwkinOwkin launches PortrAIt, in collaboration with Gustave RoussyNew regulatory thinking is needed for AI-based personalised drug and cell therapies in precision oncology | npj Precision OncologyOwkin launches PortrAIt – a €33 million project to make France a global leader in using AI to diagnose and treat diseases – OwkinOwkin and Cerba Path collaborate to use AI to improve breast and colorectal cancer diagnosisPerceptions of artificial intelligence in healthcare: findings from a qualitative survey study among actors in FrancePerceptions of artificial intelligence in healthcare: findings from a qualitative survey study among actors in FrancePartner Spotlight: Owkin and Sanofi embrace the “golden era” of precision medicine with AIPanel – Ollie May, Jack Young, Nathan CarrollResearch & Production – Nathan CarrollRecording & Editing – Mike Liberto, Rachel SkoneckiFor additional discussion, please leave a comment or contact us at TrendingHealth.com.

How can we drive medical innovation while keeping healthcare costs in check? In the second episode of our European Healthcare Innovation Roadshow series, Ollie and Jack are joined by special guest Rosie Beacon from Reform UK to tackle this paradox. From government-backed initiatives to real-world success stories, this episode dives into the UK’s leadership in digital and AI —and what the world can learn from it.Podcast Tags: digital health, AI, innovationSource Links:OECD Data Explorer: Government budget allocations for R&DUK Life Sciences VisionNHS Long Term Plan: Research and innovation to drive future outcomes improvementUK invests £82.6 Million to support AI in cancer care and drug discoveryTop Digital Health Trends to Watch in 2025NHS England commissions impact evaluation of virtual wardsDigital transformation in the future of UK healthcare | RSM UKPanel – Ollie May, Rosie Beacon, Jack YoungResearch & Production – Nathan CarrollRecording & Editing – Mike Liberto, Rachel SkoneckiFor additional discussion, please contact us at TrendingHealth.com.

In this episode, Ollie, Jack, and Nathan discuss the rise of Barcelona as a hotbed for Digital Health Innovation. They discuss digital health trends, how Barcelona has achieved such success, and what lessons the rest of the world can learn.Podcast Tags: healthcare, healthcare news, life sciences, health policy, public health, digital health, digital, artificial intelligence, AI, telemedicine, virtual care, electronic patient recordsSource Links:https://www.4yfn.com/news/barcelona-top-10-in-europe-and-the-middle-east-in-healthtech-investment https://ajuntament.barcelona.cat/digital/en/actualidad/noticias/barcelona-ranks-5th-among-european-cities-in-investment-in-digital-health-1096812https://gkc.himss.org/news/himss-defines-digital-health-global-healthcare-industryhttps://vynamic.com/insights/creating-a-digital-therapeutics-launch-playbook/https://catalonia.com/key-industries-technologies/technologies/digital-health-in-cataloniahttps://barcelonahealthhub.com/en/news/pharmaceutical-company-gebro-pharma-and-barcelona-health-hub-to-collaborate-to-promote-innovation-in-the-field-of-digital-health/https://www.techbarcelona.com/en/angelini-pharma-se-une-a-tech-barcelona-para-impulsar-el-ecosistema-de-salud-digital/https://barcelonahealthhub.com/en/news/4yfn-interview-with-iomed/https://healthtechforward.comhttps://echalliance.com/events-health-connector/flagship-events/the-digital-health-wellness-summit-2025/https://exteriors.gencat.cat/en/actualitat/not_240506_digital_healthhttps://apiumhub.com/tech-blog-barcelona/digital-health/https://www.sjdhospitalbarcelona.org/en/news/sjd-barcelona-childrens-hospital-microsoft-are-collaborating-creation-ai-laboratory-development-digital-health-projectshttps://www.better.care/news/with-promoting-the-open-data-digital-health-platform-in-spain-better-joins-barcelona-health-hub/https://catalonia.com/w/cristian-pascual-barcelona-health-hub-barcelona-has-all-the-ingredients-to-become-one-of-the-world-s-digital-health-capitals-https://www.irsjd.org/en/news-and-events/news/811/retaining-talent-and-fostering-public-private-partnerships-some-of-the-challenges-that-is-facing-the-healthtech-sectorPanel – Ollie May, Jack Young, Nathan CarrollResearch & Production – Nathan CarrollRecording & Editing – Mike Liberto, Rachel SkoneckiFor additional discussion, leave a comment or contact us at TrendingHealth.com.