Hardware Podcasts

075 - Shortages, Pricing, Mastering New Skills, and Building Deep Understanding with Ben Locwin

Let's Combinate · 8 Mar 2023 · 33m

What this episode covers

Ben Locwin, Executive SME at Black Diamond Networks, discusses the economic drivers of FDA drug shortages, arguing that pricing and demand elasticity are more critical than manufacturing failures. He highlights how high-cost therapies like cell treatments face different shortage dynamics than low-margin generics, citing specific examples like Ozempic and Adderall. Locwin also outlines his methodology for mastering new regulatory and scientific subjects, emphasizing deep research and the importance of identifying 'strings' that haven't been pulled yet in industry analysis.

Most relevant to

established companies

Topics

Mentioned

Companies
Black Diamond Networks, Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drugs
Products
Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, Adderall, Daraprim
Also
FDA, Center for the Study of Drug Development

Related episodes from other shows

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • How I Built This · 34m

    HIBT Lab! Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company: Mark Cuban

    Serial entrepreneur Mark Cuban discusses his newest venture, the Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company (MCCPDC), which he co-founded with radiologist Alex Oshmiansky to disrupt the pharmaceutical industry by offering generic drugs at transparent, low costs. Cuban explains how he educated himself on the complex drug pricing ecosystem, identifying Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) and vertically integrated insurance companies as the primary drivers of inflated prices rather than manufacturing costs. He details the company's business model as a public benefit corporation that charges a flat 15% markup plus handling and shipping fees, bypassing traditional insurance rebates to undercut standard co-pays. Cuban also touches on his interest in NFTs, his strategy for staying grounded through social media feedback, and his belief that wealthy individuals have a responsibility to fund solutions for systemic problems like high drug prices.

    Pricing, margins & unit economicsStarting a product company
    6 chapters

  • Manufacturing Happy Hour · 1h 04m

    174: The Economy, Labor Market, and M&A Landscape: Paying Attention to What Really Matters with Alex Chausovsky

    Alex Chausovsky, Director of Analytics and Consulting at Bundy Group, discusses the intersection of economics, labor markets, and M&A for manufacturers. He outlines three economic takeaways: focusing on relevant indicators like industrial production rather than GDP, understanding the impact of pricing on revenue versus volume, and following capital flows into sectors like pharma and semiconductors. On the labor front, he emphasizes that the post-pandemic talent shortage requires HR to have a seat at the executive table and use data like the CLAMS profile to attract candidates. Finally, he details the four pillars of a valuable business—stability, profitability, growth, and team/client diversity—and advocates for a competitive market process when selling.

    Policy, trade & tariffsHiring & workforce
    6 chapters

  • The Manufacturing Executive · 24m

    Planning for the Long Haul with Supply Chain and Labor w/ Rob Tracy

    Rob Tracy, founder of Rob Tracy Consulting and author of 'How to Fix a Factory', discusses how manufacturing leaders must treat labor shortages and supply chain disruptions as long-term realities rather than temporary setbacks. He outlines four strategic responses: managing customer tiering and lead times, trimming complex product lines to free capacity, adjusting pricing to reflect new market leverage, and re-evaluating capital investments based on throughput generation rather than just cost reduction. Tracy also advises leaders to revisit their strategic plans and operating systems to ensure they are aligned with this new capacity-constrained environment.

    Scaling productionPricing, margins & unit economics
    6 chapters

  • How I Built This · 53m

    Advice Line with Serial Entrepreneur Mark Cuban

    Serial entrepreneur Mark Cuban, who is revolutionizing the prescription drug market through Cost Plus Drugs, advises four founders on scaling their physical product businesses. Lucy of One Trick Pony discusses her upside-down peanut butter packaging and the dilemma of entering big-box retail, while Macy Schmidt of Girlyish Skincare navigates marketing to parents versus teens for youth-safe skincare. Dan Jansen of Imperium Shaving pivots his handcrafted wooden razors to a high-margin, artist-centric model, and Kristen Rood of Northern Classics focuses on supply chain optimization to mitigate tariffs for her children's winter wear.

    Retail, wholesale & distributionPricing, margins & unit economics
    5 chapters

  • Global Medical Device Podcast · 31m

    Why Demand is so High for Regulatory & Quality Jobs (and should you take advantage?)

    Mitch Robbins, founder and managing director at The Anthony Michael Group, joins host John Spear to discuss the surging demand for regulatory and quality professionals in the medical device industry. Robbins attributes this demand to the rollout of EU MDR, hypergrowth in digital health, an aging population, and a surge in medical technology startups. He advises employers to evolve their hiring practices by focusing on employer value propositions and mission alignment rather than relying on traditional job descriptions, noting that top talent prioritizes meaningful work over compensation.

    Hiring & workforceLeadership, teams & culture
    6 chapters

The summary, chapters and topics are generated from the episode’s audio by this directory, not written by Let's Combinate. The episode itself belongs to its publisher.