Trending Health

In this episode of Trending Health, we explore how the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) is reshaping strategy across the life sciences industry.Mindy McGrath is joined by Inizio Ignite colleagues, Scott Briggs and Ethan Johnson, to discuss how manufacturers are responding to Medicare price negotiation, Part D redesign, and increasing pressures on pricing and access.The conversation highlights what has surprised leaders so far, how payer dynamics are evolving, and how companies are rethinking portfolio and lifecycle decisions in a more constrained market.As future negotiation rounds approach, the episode offers a clear view into where organizations are focusing—and what they should be preparing for next.Panel –Mindy McGrath, Scott Briggs, Ethan JohnsonRecording & Editing – Rachel SkoneckiFor additional discussion, please contact us at TrendingHealth.com.

The brain health economy is emerging as a critical focus across healthcare and policy both for treating serious neurological and mental health diseases and for increasing brain capital for society. In this episode, Inizio Ignite’s Varun Renjen sits down with George Vradenburg, Chairman of the Davos Alzheimer\’s Collaborative and Harris Eyre, Executive Director of the Global Brain Economy Initiative to explore why it’s evolving so rapidly and what it means for life sciences companies.From how the brain health economy is evolving at the global level with growing importance from the World Economic Forum, to CNS trends, and to the impact of initiatives like the Davos Alzheimer’s Collaborative and the Davos Brain House, our guests unpack key developments shaping this space. We also examine the role of public-private partnerships and how life sciences companies can better engage.Finally, we look ahead: what does an ideal brain health ecosystem look like—and how can we build it?Panel – Varun Renjen, George Vradenburg, Harris Eyre Recording & Editing – Mike Liberto, Rachel Skonecki For additional discussion, please contact us at TrendingHealth.com. 

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 [email protected] or [email protected]  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 [email protected] 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 [email protected] or [email protected] 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 [email protected] and [email protected]. 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.