Explore every episode of the podcast Science Will Win

Throughout history, humans have coalesced around moonshot culture to achieve audacious goals—from eradicating smallpox, to sequencing the human genome, to landing a spacecraft on Mars. These feats of human ingenuity didn’t happen in a vacuum, they were born from intentional innovation, a “coalition of the willing,” and a vision to outdo yesterday. This fireside chat with Drew Panayiotou, Former CMO of Pfizer and Devon Still, ex-NFL player and founder of Still Strong Foundation, explores innovations in cancer, their personal experiences with family members needing healthcare treatment, and what it will take to achieve Pfizer's next big moonshot to outdo cancer and achieve its vision, a world where people with cancer live better and longer lives.

This episode was recorded live in Austin, TX on Monday March 11 as part of Pfizer’s takeover of the South by Southwest podcasting lounge. 

The Let's Outdo Cancer Campaign aims to focus on advances in fighting against cancer. To learn more, visit letsoutdocancer.com.

Podcasting has exploded in the last 5 years, with every celebrity, brand, and influencer investing in audio. It’s estimated that 144MM people in the U.S. listen to a podcast monthly. With scale and an ability to build audience connections, podcasts have become effective at communicating complex information in a digestible way–making them perfect for sharing science-based stories. Many have heard the term "gene therapy," but how many know what it means? How do you explain the science behind artificial intelligence or designing the Mars Rover? Audio allows us to do this, while enhancing the impact of science communications. Join the Pfizer Podcast team, NASA, UT Austin, and Wonder Media Network as they share their audio expertise and accessible approach to scientific storytelling.

Featured experts:

• Shira Atkins, CRO & Co-Founder, Wonder Media Network
• Ellen Gerstein, Head Of Digital Communications, Pfizer Inc.
• Katie Konans, Audio Storytelling Lead, NASA
• Kristen Wynn, Program Manager, The University of Texas at Austin, Dell Medical School, Livestrong Cancer Institutes

This episode was recorded live in Austin, TX on Monday March 11 as part of Pfizer’s takeover of the South by Southwest podcasting lounge. 

Host Adam Rutherford returns to explore breakthroughs in oncology, the study and treatment of cancer, and more specifically breast cancer. We’ll hear from the scientists tasked with developing new treatments, oncologists who lead clinical trials and treat patients, and the patients and patient advocates themselves. It’s a groundbreaking time for cancer research, with as many promising possibilities as there are challenges to overcome. Tune in to this new, two-part series, launching October 27, 2022!

In this special bonus episode, Adam Rutherford explores a different aspect of gene therapy - how do you actually make one? Expert guests discuss the highly complex task of scaling-up manufacturing from the small amounts needed for research, to creating batches big enough for clinical and commercial scale. And once that hurdle has been cleared, how do they address the additional challenge of storing and transporting the medicine at ultra-low temperatures?

Featuring guests:
Bert Bruce, Regional President, North America, Rare Disease, Pfizer
Bob Smith, Senior Vice President, Global Gene Therapy Business, Rare Disease, Pfizer 
Sonal Bhatia, Chief Medical Officer, Rare Disease, Pfizer

Gene therapy is at a pivotal moment. For eligible rare disease patients, the potential impact could be huge. So how can we support that potential to fruition and what will it mean if we do? In our season finale, host Adam Rutherford and guests take a peek into what a world with successful gene therapies could look like for patients, healthcare and society.

Featuring guests:
Durhane Wong-Rieger, President & CEO at Canadian Organization for Rare Disorders
Erik Paulsen, Chair, Institute for Gene Therapies
Karolina Hanslik, Former Senior Project Manager, EURORDIS
Nikhil Gadre, Senior Director, Global Commercial, Hemophilia Gene Therapy, Pfizer
Paige Bischoff, Senior Vice President, Global Public Affairs,  Alliance for Regenerative Medicine
Paolo Morgese, EU Director, Market Access, Alliance for Regenerative Medicine
Reda Guiha, IDM Regional President, Rare Disease, Pfizer
Simone Boselli, Director, Public Affairs, EURORDIS
Tomislav Sokol, Member of European Parliament

As with any new breakthrough medicine, entering the healthcare system comes with a host of obstacles and potential barriers. In this episode, Adam Rutherford and guests break down the big changes needed within the global healthcare ecosystem to ensure that, once approved, the therapies we’re researching now, like gene therapy, reach the patients who need them.

Featuring guests:
Bert Bruce, Regional President, North America, Rare Disease, Pfizer 
Brenda Cooperstone, Senior Vice President, Chief Development Officer, Rare Disease, Pfizer
Durhane Wong-Rieger, President & CEO at Canadian Organization for Rare Disorders
Emily Crossley, Chief Executive Officer, Duchenne UK
Erik Paulsen, Chair, Institute for Gene Therapies
Karolina Hanslik, Senior Project Manager, EURORDIS
Katherine Beaverson, Senior Director and Patient Advocacy Lead, Rare Disease Research Unit, Pfizer
Nikhil Gadre, Senior Director, Global Commercial, Hemophilia Gene Therapy, Pfizer
Suneet Varma, Global President, Rare Disease, Pfizer
Tomislav Sokol, Member of European Parliament



 

Gene therapy has come a long way to get where it is today but there is still much to learn and investigate. Host Adam Rutherford speaks to a line-up of experts about the vital role of clinical trials and the unique challenges facing gene therapy and rare disease patients.

Featuring guests:
Brenda Cooperstone, Senior Vice President, Chief Development Officer, Rare Disease, Pfizer
Emily Crossley, Chief Executive Officer, Duchenne UK
Erik Paulsen, Chair, Institute for Gene Therapies
Professor John Rasko, Clinical Haematologist & Trial Investigator, University of Sydney
Simone Boselli, Director, Public Affairs, EURORDIS
Suneet Varma, Global President, Rare Disease, Pfizer

Gene therapy is a revolutionary field of science that has the potential to transform lives. It presents this big question; What if we could treat a disease at its root cause, rather than just the symptoms? On the first episode of Science Will Win, host Adam Rutherford takes us through the history, science, and significance of gene therapy.

Featuring guests:

Dirk Vander Mijnsbrugge, Vice President, Medical Affairs, Rare Diseases, Pfizer
Durhane Wong-Rieger, President & CEO at Canadian Organization for Rare Disorders
Laurence Woollard, Director, On The Pulse Consultancy
Sonal Bhatia, Chief Medical Officer, Rare Disease, Pfizer

Science Will Win explores the fascinating science, policy, and humanity which is shaping the future of healthcare and transforming patients’ lives for the better. 

Hosted by Adam Rutherford, geneticist and Honorary Fellow at University College London, our first miniseries takes listeners on a journey behind the science of gene therapy; the next generation of medicines bringing new possibilities for patients living with rare genetic diseases. 

At a time when innovative science is achieving the seemingly impossible, we’ll look at gene therapy from every angle, speaking to scientists and experts on the forefront of medical research, as well as the patients and families who are holding new hope in the life-changing potential of gene therapy. 

In a live taping of the Science Will Win podcast, Host and Artificial Intelligence Expert Jeremiah Owyang speaks to cutting-edge healthcare leaders about the impact that AI is having on the future of cancer. Thirty years ago, the thought of a world without cancer was nothing more than a dream. Similarly, AI was considered a technology that had yet to become reality. Today, we are reimagining a future where the AI revolution will help change the trajectory of cancer as we know it.

Featured experts:

• Edward Cox, Head & General Manager Of Digital Health & Medicines, Pfizer
• Julie Gerberding, CEO and President, Foundation for the National Institutes of Health
• Maimah Karmo, Founder & CEO, Tigerlily Foundation

This episode was recorded live in Austin, TX on Monday March 11 as part of Pfizer’s takeover of the South by Southwest podcasting lounge. 

Is it possible to live in a world without antibiotic resistant bacteria? For the final episode of this season, we’re looking ahead to the future and getting a glimpse of a potential world in which we stay one step ahead of AMR, and what is helping us get there. Host Jeremiah Owyang and expert guests will talk about the education, surveillance, and policy efforts needed for success in the fight against antibiotic resistant bacteria. And we’ll explore how artificial intelligence can empower us in those efforts — and enable more effective, accessible, and equitable healthcare.

Featured Guests:

• Dame Sally Davies, UK Special Envoy for Antimicrobial Resistance
• Daniel Gallego, President of the European Kidney Patient Federation
• Ranjit Kumble, Vice President of Enterprise Data Science and Advanced Analytics, Pfizer
• Subha Madhavan, Vice President & Head of AI/ML, Quantitative & Digital Sciences, Global Biometrics & Data Management
• Jay Purdy, Vice President and Therapeutic Area Lead, Global Medical Affairs, Pfizer Antibacterial and Antifungal Programs

Season 3 of Science Will Win is created by Pfizer and hosted by Jeremiah Owyang, entrepreneur, investor, and tech industry analyst. It’s produced by Wonder Media Network.

Artificial intelligence has the power to transform the way researchers study bacteria and develop new treatments – and we’re already seeing the benefits in healthcare. In part three, host Jeremiah Owyang and expert guests shed light on how AI expedites and enhances analyses, revolutionizing the search for new antibiotics. The benefits of AI extend to analyzing bacterial DNA, uncovering vulnerabilities, and potentially predicting bacterial evolution. This innovative technology aids scientists in pinpointing the most promising antibiotic candidates from a sea of possibilities and helps to streamline drug development.

Featured Guests:

• Adrian Egli, Director, Institute of Medical Microbiology, University of Zurich
• Lei Zhang, Executive Director of Medicinal Chemistry, Pfizer Medicine Design
• Marinka Zitnik, Assistant Professor, Department of Biomedical Informatics, Harvard Medical School; Co-founder, Therapeutics Data Commons

Season 3 of Science Will Win is created by Pfizer and hosted by Jeremiah Owyang, entrepreneur, investor, and tech industry analyst. It’s produced by Wonder Media Network.

Artificial intelligence could be an essential tool in the fight against antibiotic resistant bacteria – and data is a key part of developing that tool. In part two of this four-part series, expert guests break down the mechanics behind artificial intelligence and machine learning. As host Jeremiah Owyang traces the evolution of these tools in healthcare, he highlights the crucial role of data for understanding the problem of antibiotic resistance. 

Featured Guests:

• Adrian Egli, Director, Institute of Medical Microbiology, University of Zurich
• Ranjit Kumble, Vice President of Enterprise Data Science and Advanced Analytics, Pfizer
• Marinka Zitnik, Assistant Professor, Department of Biomedical Informatics, Harvard Medical School; Co-founder, Therapeutics Data Commons

Season 3 of Science Will Win is created by Pfizer and hosted by Jeremiah Owyang, entrepreneur, investor, and tech industry analyst. It’s produced by Wonder Media Network.

Medicine’s struggle with antibiotic resistant bacteria is reaching a crisis point. In part one of this four-part series, host Jeremiah Owyang and expert guests delve into the world of antibiotics, exploring their history, the rise of antibiotic resistance, and the story of a patient whose life was forever changed by antibiotic-resistant bacteria. They break down the critical issues at stake and discuss the multifaceted solutions needed to combat this pressing crisis – including artificial intelligence.

Featured Guests:

• Adrian Egli, Director, Institute of Medical Microbiology, University of Zurich
• Jay Purdy, Vice President and Therapeutic Area Lead, Global Medical Affairs, Pfizer Antibacterial and Antifungal Programs
• Mary Lynne Van Poelgeest-Pomfret, President, World Federation of Incontinence and Pelvic Problems

Season 3 of Science Will Win is created by Pfizer and hosted by Jeremiah Owyang, entrepreneur, investor, and tech industry analyst. It’s produced by Wonder Media Network.

Since antibiotics were first discovered, bacteria have been evolving to outsmart them. But today, the latest science is rising up to meet the challenge. This season of Science Will Win is exploring how artificial intelligence (AI) can help the scientific community overcome one of the greatest challenges facing humanity: antimicrobial resistance. This season, we’ll hear from researchers, doctors, patients, patient advocates, computer scientists, and AI experts. All of them are on the cutting edge of the fight against antimicrobial resistance. Tune in to this new, four-part series, coming soon!

Season 3 of Science Will Win is created by Pfizer and hosted by Jeremiah Owyang, entrepreneur, investor, and tech industry analyst. It’s produced by Wonder Media Network.

In part two of this series, Adam Rutherford and guests break down the next step in how potential breast cancer treatments move forward from the lab. What role do clinical trials play in the development of potential treatments? How are clinical trials developed? How can patients access clinical trials? And how are researchers and advocacy groups working to break down barriers in access to clinical trials?

Featured Guests:

• Laurie, Breast Cancer Clinical Trial Participant
• Dr. Edith Mitchell, Medical Oncologist, Thomas Jefferson University
• Julia Perkins Smith, Global Clinical Lead, Pfizer
• Jamil Rivers, CEO, Chrysalis Initiative

Additional Resources:

• pfizerclinicaltrials.com/oncology
• pfizerclinicaltrials.com
• pfizerestudiosclinicos.com

Oncologists have more innovative methods for treating breast cancer than ever before. In part one of this two-part series, Adam Rutherford and guests explore the hurdles and successes researchers face as they work to develop new, targeted therapies for breast cancer.

Featured Guests:

• Martha Carlson, Breast Cancer Advocate & Writer
• Dr. Edith Mitchell, Medical Oncologist, Thomas Jefferson University
• Jeff Settleman, Chief Scientific Officer, Pfizer Oncology

Artificial intelligence has the potential to help save millions of lives by accelerating the discovery and development of treatments for humanity’s toughest diseases. Those AI innovations come down to three key factors: data, hardware, and software. Science Will Win Season 4 takes listeners on a journey back in time to learn how each of these three elements got where it is today. Each episode features interviews with historians and cutting-edge researchers, framing these deep historical dives within modern advancements in medical technology. What challenges did science have to overcome to bring us where we are today, the midst of an AI revolution in medicine? Tune in to this new, four-part series, coming soon!

Season 4 of Science Will Win is created by Pfizer and hosted by Jeremiah Owyang, entrepreneur, investor, and tech industry analyst.

The intersection of biology and technology is revolutionizing drug discovery. In this episode, host Jeremiah Owyang and expert guests explore the crucial role of data in advancing medical science, from the serendipitous discoveries of the past to the cutting-edge techniques of today. They delve into the history of drug development, the rise of "omics," and the innovative single-cell sequencing that is transforming our understanding of the human body for the benefit of drug discovery. Today, scientists are using vast amounts of data to fuel artificial intelligence models, in the quest for new and better medicines.

Featured Guests:
– James Lowe, Research Fellow at the University of Exeter
– Kellie Kravarik, Associate Research Fellow and Cellular Genomics Group Leader for Systems Immunology at Pfizer
– Miguel Garcia-Sancho, Lecturer and Researcher at the University of Edinburgh

Season 4 of Science Will Win is created by Pfizer and hosted by Jeremiah Owyang, entrepreneur, investor, and tech industry analyst. It’s produced by Wonder Media Network.

Last episode discussed data and how crucial large swaths of data are in assisting drug development. But more data requires a lot of storage – and that’s where hardware comes in. To make use of big data and all its possibilities, scientists need new tools at their disposal. In this episode, host Jeremiah Owyang, alongside expert guests, traces the rise of large-scale computational resources used throughout the medical industry today.

Featured Guests:
–Daniel Ziemek, Vice President of Integrative Biology and Systems Immunology at Pfizer
–Enoch Huang, Head of Machine Learning and Computational Sciences at Pfizer
–Tor Aamodt, professor at the University of British Columbia

Season 4 of Science Will Win is created by Pfizer and hosted by Jeremiah Owyang, entrepreneur, investor, and tech industry analyst. It’s produced by Wonder Media Network.

With a trove of data and powerful hardware to process it, software is the last element of our artificial intelligence story. In this episode, host Jeremiah Owyang and expert guests explore the history of advancement behind the software that powers AI today. They delve into the creation of neural networks at the heart of this technology and how scientists are partnering with AI to revolutionize the complex process of drug development and discovery.

Featured Guests:
–Beth Cimini, Associate Director for Bio image Analysis at the Broad Institute in Cambridge, Massachusetts
–Charlotte Allerton, Head of Preclinical and Translational Sciences at Pfizer
–Daniel Ziemek, Vice President of Integrative Biology and Systems Immunology at Pfizer
–Enoch Huang, Head of Machine Learning and Computational Sciences at Pfizer

Season 4 of Science Will Win is created by Pfizer and hosted by Jeremiah Owyang, entrepreneur, investor, and tech industry analyst. It’s produced by Wonder Media Network.

So far in this season, we’ve explored how innovations throughout history have brought us to where we are now. We talked about how drug discovery changed from a serendipity-based to data-based endeavor. Then, we explored the powerful hardware and smart software required to accommodate big data. Now, the door to the future of AI in drug discovery is open. In our final episode, we’re looking toward the future, to understand where today’s advancements could potentially take us.

Featured Guests:
–Charlotte Allerton, Head of Preclinical and Translational Sciences at Pfizer
–Daniel Ziemek, Vice President of Integrative Biology and Systems Immunology at Pfizer
–Enoch Huang, Head of Machine Learning and Computational Sciences at Pfizer
–Dr. Raza Ali, group leader at the University of Cambridge Cancer Research UK Institute, pathologist

Season 4 of Science Will Win is created by Pfizer and hosted by Jeremiah Owyang, entrepreneur, investor, and tech industry analyst. It’s produced by Wonder Media Network.

Over the last five years, the healthcare industry has witnessed an explosive surge in digital health services, revolutionizing the way we access medical care. Patients today are taking charge of their health journey by using different digital tools to stay on top of their preventative screenings, implement dietary and lifestyle changes, access mental health resources, and so much more. In this conversation, patient advocates and industry leaders from Noom, Thrive, and Pfizer, dive into the potential power of artificial intelligence and the anticipated transformation in personalized health plans. They share real-world examples that highlight how digital technologies are helping patients feel empowered and shape the future of healthcare. 

Through this conversation you heard Lidia Fonseca reference Health Answers by Pfizer. In February 2025, the Pfizer team launched this new platform, powered by generative AI that provides clear, relevant answers to your health & wellness questions and helps you take action for yourself and your loved ones. To learn more, visit healthanswers.pfizer.com.

Moderator:
Stephanie Agresta, Managing Director, Ascendancy Events 

Featured experts:
-Karin Bilich, Head of Content, Noom 
-Lidia Fonseca, Chief Digital & Technology Officer, Pfizer 
-MT Grant, SVP & GM, Thrive for Health

This episode was recorded live in Austin, TX on Monday, March 10, as part of Pfizer’s takeover of the South by Southwest podcasting lounge.

Please fill out our short survey so we can get to know our listeners better: pfizer.com/podcastsurvey

While cancer deaths in the United States have declined in recent years, some populations are being left behind—facing complicated challenges to accessing the care they need. Intervening at the earliest stages of disease onset is critical to cancer treatment success and to reducing the risk of recurrence. So how do we create a world where all people with cancer are quickly diagnosed and can live better, longer lives as science advances? In this conversation, patient advocates and healthcare leaders from Pfizer, the American Cancer Society, and the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association, discuss the power of collaboration in the effort to “Outdo Cancer.”

Moderator
• Tyrone McClain, Senior Director, Public Affairs, Pfizer
Speakers
• Carmen White, U.S. & Global Oncology Health Equity Lead, Pfizer
• Pam Traxel, American Cancer Society, Cancer Action Network
• Mary Stutts, CEO, Healthcare Businesswomen's Association (HBA)

This episode was recorded live in Austin, TX on Monday, March 10, as part of Pfizer’s takeover of the South by Southwest podcasting lounge.

Please fill out our short survey so we can get to know our listeners better: pfizer.com/podcastsurvey

Podcasting has become essential for communicating breakthroughs in science, offering an accessible and engaging platform to reach diverse audiences. This evolving medium fosters deeper connections by delivering trusted information in accessible and compelling ways. In this conversation, audio makers from Pfizer, Acast, and TED, discuss what it takes to stand out in the science podcast space, insights on strategy, and how they're working to shape the future of health communication.

Moderator
• Aaron Strout, Former CMO of Real Chemistry and Health Podcaster

Speakers
• Erica Santiago, Executive/Digital Communications & Podcast Strategy, Pfizer
• Veronika Taylor, SVP of Acast’s Creator Network
• Shoshana Ungerleider MD, Host and Producer of TED Health Podcast

This episode was recorded live in Austin, TX on Monday, March 10, as part of Pfizer’s takeover of the South by Southwest podcasting lounge.

Please fill out our short survey so we can get to know our listeners better: pfizer.com/podcastsurvey