Inside the ALS Breakthrough: 20-Year Journey to FDA Approval with Dr. Joseph Palumbo
November 5, 2025
In this episode of Power to the Patients, Brandon Li and Dr. Palumbo, Chief Medical Officer at BioVie Pharma, explore the evolving landscape of neuroscience research, the critical differences between big pharma and biotech approaches, and promising new pathways for treating conditions like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. Whether you're a researcher, clinician, or industry professional, this conversation offers a fascinating look at how inflammation-focused treatments and systems biology could revolutionize neurological disease treatment.
In this episode of Power to the Patients, host Brandon Li speaks with Dr. Joseph Palumbo, Chief Medical Officer at BioVie Pharma, exploring the fascinating journey from academic research to pharmaceutical development, with a particular focus on neurodegenerative diseases and the crucial role of inflammation-focused treatments in brain health.
What You'll Learn:
- How successful drug development bridges academic research, clinical practice, and commercial strategy
- The key differences between developing drugs in big pharma versus biotech environments
- Why inflammation is emerging as a critical factor in treating neurological conditions like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's
- How to validate early-stage drug development data and make informed decisions about progression
- The evolution of ALS treatment and why smaller, focused trials can lead to breakthrough therapies
- Why systems biology and cross-disciplinary approaches are revolutionizing neuroscience research
- The importance of combining clinical experience with research expertise in drug development
- How natural brain molecules can be modified to create more effective treatments for neurological disorders
- Why understanding the gut-brain connection is crucial for treating neurodegenerative diseases
- The critical role of scientific collaboration and diverse thinking in advancing medical research
About the Guest:
Dr. Joseph Palumbo is the Chief Medical Officer and Head of R&D at BioVie Pharma, bringing extensive expertise in neuroscience, psychiatry, and drug development. With a distinguished career spanning academia (Yale, Cornell, University of Pennsylvania) and pharmaceutical leadership roles at Johnson & Johnson, Mitsubishi, and Cephalon, Dr. Palumbo has been instrumental in developing breakthrough treatments for conditions including ALS, depression, and neurodegenerative disorders. He played a pivotal role in bringing edaravone to market for ALS treatment after a 20-year gap in therapeutic advances. Currently leading research initiatives at BioVie, Dr. Palumbo focuses on inflammation's role in neurological conditions, particularly in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, while exploring innovative approaches to drug development using systems biology and natural brain molecules.
Episode Resources: