Bloomberg Businessweek Podcast Summary

Episode: Acadia CEO on the Fight Against Rare Diseases
Date: January 14, 2026
Hosts: Carol Massar & Tim Stenovec
Guest: Catherine Owen Adams, CEO of Acadia Pharmaceuticals

Overview

This episode features an in-depth interview with Catherine Owen Adams, CEO of Acadia Pharmaceuticals, focusing on the company’s pioneering efforts in neuroscience and rare disease therapeutics. The discussion explores the investability of rare diseases, the impact of policy and federal funding cuts on innovation, pricing and affordability of treatments, and how small biotech firms engage with policymakers to ensure continued innovation for unserved patient communities.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Rationale for Investing in Neuroscience and Rare Diseases

• Unmet Medical Need: Catherine highlights the vast number of conditions with no effective therapies, especially in neuroscience (e.g., Alzheimer's, dementia, Lewy body disease) and rare diseases.

  • Quote:

    "95% of rare diseases don't have any therapies associated with them. And so for us putting those two things together, it's a great place to be in terms of bringing innovation to patients."
    — Catherine Owen Adams (01:31)

• Acadia’s Position: With FDA-approved treatments for Parkinson's disease psychosis and Rett syndrome, Acadia exemplifies the innovation possible in these fields.

2. Impact of NIH Cuts and Policy Changes (02:08–03:52)

• Short-term vs. Long-term Effects: While Acadia’s operations haven’t been directly affected by federal funding cuts, Catherine foresees negative ramifications for smaller biotechs and academic partnerships.

  • Quote:

    "I do worry longer term that that knock on effect will be felt especially by smaller biotechs who rely on academia for a lot of our initial innovation."
    — Catherine Owen Adams (02:45)

• Focus Amid Policy Fluctuations: Acadia’s commitment to neurological and rare diseases remains unchanged by short-term policy changes.

  • Quote:

    "Our focus is on the patients and those communities where they don't have options. And the changes in the administration, they come and go and we deal with them. But ultimately our focus is on that patient need."
    — Catherine Owen Adams (03:32)

3. Engaging with Policymakers (03:52–06:02)

• Active Advocacy: Catherine details her leadership roles in industry groups actively dialoguing with policymakers in Washington, D.C.

  • Quote:

    "As a CEO in biotech, I think it's important to be out there developing those lines of communication... we're actively engaging to ensure that they hear our voice."
    — Catherine Owen Adams (04:04)

• Protecting Innovation: Emphasizes the unique challenges faced by small biotechs and advocates for nuanced policy ('not a peanut butter approach'), specifically urging for carve-outs or appropriate measures for rare disease innovation.

  • Quote:

    "Small biotech is the lifeblood of future innovation for patients. And the policies and legislation...trying to apply to large pharma businesses...as a small biotech, our opportunity to trade off is very limited...so we're making sure that they're hearing our voice...it's really thought through."
    — Catherine Owen Adams (04:56)

4. Affordability and Patient Support (06:02–07:19)

• Affordability Challenges: Therapies for rare diseases can be expensive, but Acadia prioritizes ensuring access isn’t more burdensome for patients compared to more common conditions.
• Comprehensive Patient Support: The company provides financial and navigational support, and maintains open channels with patient advocacy groups to improve therapies—inclusive of recent development in drug formulations based directly on patient-community feedback.
  • Quote:

    "We have a strong focus on patient support and patient support services, not only financially but also people that they can call on to help them...that two way communication is huge in terms of rare disease."
    — Catherine Owen Adams (06:25)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the stakes of rare disease innovation:

  “95% of rare diseases don't have any therapies associated with them.”
  (01:31)

• On policy effects:

  "Sometimes these things have knock on effects that aren't thought through initially. And so we're really trying to get our voices heard..."
  (05:35)

• On patient-focused development:

  "We heard from our community that they needed something different and we got that approved in December."
  (07:01)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Investing in Rare Disease & Neuroscience: 01:31–02:08
• Effect of NIH Cuts: 02:08–02:45
• Acadia’s Commitment Despite Policy Changes: 03:20–03:52
• Role in Policy Advocacy & Industry Leadership: 04:04–04:48
• Biotech vs. Big Pharma Policy Needs: 04:56–06:02
• Patient Affordability & Support Innovations: 06:02–07:19

Tone & Style

The conversation is earnest, pragmatic, and empathetic, emphasizing both the business and human dimensions of biotech innovation. Catherine Owen Adams conveys both urgency and hope, advocating passionately for patients, small biotech innovation, and smart, patient-centric policymaking.