Book Review — For Blood and Money by Nathan Vardi

Yesterday, I finished reading “For Blood and Money: Billionaires, Biotech, and the Quest for a Blockbuster Drug” by Nathan Vardi, published in 2023. Vardi, a seasoned financial journalist and former senior editor at Forbes, has spent decades covering the intersection of big money and biopharma.

Most of us take medications without considering their origins or the complex process of their creation. In this book, Vardi unveils the gripping story behind the development of not one, but two blockbuster drugs, providing a rare glimpse into the biotech and pharmaceutical industries.

Vardi traces the journey of two Silicon Valley startups as they navigate the tumultuous path of developing cancer drugs. Along the way, we meet a diverse cast of characters: medical professionals, dedicated research scientists, ambitious investors, entrepreneurs, and demanding CEOs. It’s a high-stakes world where job security is a myth, and people are often let go despite years of dedicated work if they no longer align with the company’s direction. Investors pour in millions, expecting tangible results, creating intense pressure but also the satisfaction of being at the forefront of scientific breakthroughs.

If successful, those who remain with the company until the end receive generous payouts, though the lion’s share goes to the…