It is becoming increasingly clear that the healthcare system in the United States, as it exists today, is unsustainable. For many, hope lies in multidisciplinary collaboration. But, for those collaborations to be successful, you need people who can speak the languages of those who need to collaborate for change to happen. Enter people like Doug Given. Given’s career includes leadership in top-tier academic medicine, Big Pharma, startup biotech, and venture capital.

Given stresses that our most pressing need is an increase in coordination and collaboration in the healthcare and life sciences industries. He says the current lack of collaboration lengthens the “bench-to-bedside” time in drug development. He says the country needs interdisciplinary teams that include people who listen to the market and understand it, especially physicians on the front lines who see unmet needs.