#50 - Suing the FDA: GLP-1 Makers Using Chevron Ruling to Take On the FDA?

12 Sept 2024 · 41 min
Tech Optimist: An Alumni Ventures Podcast

12 Sept 2024 · 41 min

0:00

In the 50th episode of The Tech Optimist, host Sam interviews Alumni Ventures founders Mike Collins and Mike Perry. The conversation is divided into three "breakthroughs": 1. GLP‑1 drugs and the FDA – They explain how Eli Lilly’s new GLP‑1 agonist (a triple‑agonist called retutide) is at the center of a legal battle over whether the drug should be classified as a biologic (12‑year exclusivity) or a small‑molecule drug (5‑year exclusivity). The dispute is framed against the backdrop of the Supreme Court’s 2024 overturn of the 1984 Chevron deference, which shifts interpretive power from agencies like the FDA back to the courts, opening the door to more litigation from pharma companies. 2. AI‑driven climate‑policy optimization – Perry describes recent research that used AI to scan 1,500 climate policies across 41 countries, identifying 63 interventions that most effectively cut emissions. He gives concrete examples (UK coal‑phase‑out + carbon price; Norway EV subsidy + ban on combustion engines) and argues that AI can help governments and NGOs craft precise policy mixes rather than “buck‑shot” approaches. Collins adds that the same AI tools are already being used by small nonprofits and venture‑backed startups to analyze data and communicate policy recommendations. 3. Technology, mental health, and loneliness – The hosts discuss the double‑edged nature of social media and digital platforms. They cite statistics on how excessive screen time correlates with anxiety, depression, and sleep disruption, while also noting the positive side: brand visibility, community building, creator empowerment, and activism. They argue that solving loneliness will require “high‑tech + high‑touch” solutions, from online therapy platforms to hybrid offline‑online community spaces, and call on entrepreneurs and VCs to fund innovative approaches for both young adults and older adults. Throughout, the episode weaves in the venture perspective (14 deals closed, pipeline opening for Series A/B, capital waiting on the sidelines) and promotional spots for Alumni Ventures’ HealthTech Fund. The overall tone is optimistic but cautious, emphasizing that powerful technologies bring unintended consequences that must be addressed through policy, litigation, and thoughtful product design.

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