2025 Health Trends x The Syneos Health Podcast: A Limited Series Exploring Innovation, Disruption and What's Next in Global Healthcare

Hosted by Drew Beck, Head of Strategy, Growth and Innovation for Syneos Health Learning Solutions, this limited series dives into the breakthrough trends redefining health in 2025 and beyond. From bold moves in R&D and medical affairs to next-gen trial design, product launch strategies and the future of healthcare communications, each episode connects you with the minds driving real change. Big ideas. Real-world impact.

Scroll down to listen in—and lead what’s next.

The views expressed in this podcast belong solely to the speakers and do not represent those of their organization.

Episode 2: Strategy, Agility and Innovation in Launch Excellence

In this episode, Drew dives into launch excellence in 2025 with Syneos Health experts Larry Dollar, VP of Medical Affairs, and Michael Sarshad, Managing Director, Consulting. Together, they unpack how strategic spending, agile planning and early investment in medical resources are driving launch success. They explore the rise of new medical affairs roles using the transformative impact of AI on clinical trials, and the evolving needs of field teams. The discussion also highlights how innovations like machine learning–driven physician segmentation are helping companies identify new clinical trial sites faster and more precisely. Whether you're with an emerging biotech or a large pharma company, you'll get key insights on collaboration, creativity and why the year leading up to launch is more critical than ever. 

Episode 1: AI as an R&D Investment

In this episode, Syneos Health experts Brian Carver, Executive Director of Therapeutic Strategy and Innovation, Rare Disease Consortium, Vik Chawla, Managing Director, Syneos Health Consulting and Katya Magonova, Managing Director, Syneos Health Consulting, unpack the transformative role of AI in rare disease drug development. From accelerating R&D and improving patient identification to boosting trial efficiency, the conversation explores how AI is reshaping the future of healthcare. Backed by insights from the 2025 Dealmakers’ Intentions Survey, they also dive into investment trends, the rise of AI-first companies, and the real-world challenges of adoption. Plus, host Drew Beck issues a powerful call to action for leaders to embrace AI now.