Biotech is producing scientific breakthroughs that once seemed impossible. But according to longtime industry executive Jeremy Levin, the institutions that support these advances, from regulators, to investors, and even public trust in science itself — are beginning to fracture.
Levin is the founder and chairman of Ovid Therapeutics and former CEO of Teva Pharmaceuticals. In his new book, “Biotech in the Balance: Saving a Strategic Industry in an Age of Distrust,” he argues that political upheaval, weakening institutions, short-term investing, and more are putting the future of the industry at risk, even though the science itself continues to accelerate.
On this week’s episode of “The Readout Loud,” Levin advocates for federal changes that could incentivize biotech investment and for pharmaceutical companies, in particular, to call out how regulatory upheaval is harming the drug industry. “When an institution such as this, which is critical, is shaken, the industry must stand firm. It must call out why this is a problem.… The titans are dead silent right now,” he said.
Below are highlights from his conversation with hosts Elaine Chen, Adam Feuerstein, and Allison DeAngelis.
This transcript of the interview has been lightly edited for length and clarity.
