Best Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology Industry Books of 2025

For Blood and Money is a gripping narrative that follows a team at a biotech start-up in California on their journey to create a wonder drug that can stop cancer in its tracks. Nathan Vardi, a veteran financial journalist, delves into the multibillion-dollar business of biotech and examines the challenges of bringing new drugs to market. This nonfiction read is a tale of ambition, greed, and desperation that immerses readers in the world of corporate intrigue and ambiguous morality. Overall, For Blood and Money is a fascinating and often disturbing account of the pharmaceutical and biotech industry that sheds light on the high-stakes world of drug development.

Empire of Pain by Patrick Radden Keefe is a gripping and devastating portrait of the Sackler family, known for their philanthropy, whose immense fortune was built on Valium and OxyContin. Keefe's masterful work of narrative reportage delves into the baroque personal lives, glittering art collections, and Machiavellian courtroom maneuvers of the Sacklers, while also exposing their calculated role in the opioid crisis. The book is a ferociously compelling portrait of America's second Gilded Age and a study of impunity among the super-elite. Overall, Empire of Pain is a must-read for anyone interested in the dark side of wealth and power.

Dopesick: Dealers, Doctors, and the Drug Company that Addicted America is a book by Beth Macy, which has been adapted into a Hulu limited series. The book explores the opioid epidemic in America, discussing its origins and how it has affected various communities. Macy delves into the role of big pharma, doctors, and patients in shaping a medical culture where overtreatment with painkillers became the norm. Through compelling portraits of families and first responders, Macy highlights the devastating impact of opioid addiction and the urgent need for action. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the opioid epidemic and its far-reaching consequences.

The Genesis Machine: Our Quest to Rewrite Life in the Age of Synthetic Biology is a fascinating survey of the present and future of biotechnology. Amy Webb and Andrew Hessel explore the vast opportunities waiting for us on the horizon while also discussing the significant risks involved in synthetic biology. This book provides a thought-provoking introduction to the field and offers a comprehensive take on making a better world through biology. The book is a must-read for anyone interested in exploring the ethical and moral dilemmas posed by redesigning life.

Deep Medicine by Eric Topol is a compelling read that explores the potential of artificial intelligence in revolutionizing patient care. The book highlights the broken doctor-patient relationship and how AI can transform everything from diagnosis to treatment, reducing costs and human mortality. Topol's vision is optimistic, and he argues that AI can save time, lives, and money. The book is enlightening and provides a gimlet-eyed look at the role of computers in medicine. Overall, Deep Medicine is a unique and important account that should be required reading for medical practitioners and the public alike.

Bottle of Lies is a gripping investigation by Katherine Eban that exposes the deceitful practices of the generic drug industry. Drawing on exclusive interviews and confidential FDA documents, the book reveals an industry where fraud is rampant and companies routinely falsify data to minimize cost and maximize profit. Despite being hailed as one of the most important public-health developments of the twenty-first century, the widespread use of generic drugs is shown to be a global swindle that puts patients' health at risk. This book is a must-read for anyone concerned about the safety and efficacy of the drugs they take.

Anatomy of an Epidemic by Robert Whitaker is a thought-provoking book that investigates the astonishing rise of mental illness in America and the use of psychiatric medications. Whitaker presents compelling evidence that raises questions about the effectiveness of psychiatric drugs and their long-term effects on patients. The book also features personal stories of individuals affected by mental illness and the impact of medication on their lives. Although controversial, Anatomy of an Epidemic offers a unique perspective on mental health and is essential reading for those interested in the subject.

The Pharmagellan Guide to Analyzing Biotech Clinical Trials is a comprehensive primer for non-experts to evaluate clinical studies of new therapies. It provides a structured roadmap for assessing the main components of a planned or completed biotech trial, clear explanations of the most common concepts and terms in clinical studies, and deep dives on essential topics like P values, sample size calculations, and Kaplan-Meier curves in plain English. The book also offers pointers for interpreting positive and negative results, understanding common figures and tables, and identifying red flags in press releases. Overall, this book is an indispensable research tool for anyone involved in the biopharma industry, and it spills all the secrets to clinical trial analysis!

Raising Lazarus by Beth Macy is a gripping and deeply moving account of the everyday heroes fighting on the front lines of America's overdose crisis. Macy takes us into the country's hardest-hit places to witness the devastating personal costs that one-third of America's families are now being forced to shoulder. The book provides a character-driven emotional core that distills this massive, unprecedented national health crisis down to its essence. Macy bears witness with clear eyes, intrepid curiosity, and unfailing empathy, bringing us the crucial next installment in the story of the defining disaster. Overall, Raising Lazarus is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the overdose crisis and the people fighting on the front lines to end it.

The book "Sickening: How Big Pharma Broke American Health Care and How We Can Repair It" by Dr. John Abramson is an eye-opening exposé on how the pharmaceutical industry prioritizes profit over the health of Americans. The author reveals the corrupt practices of Big Pharma, including controlling research agendas, withholding data, and influencing medical journals. Dr. Abramson offers a path towards genuine reform in American healthcare. The book provides a detailed cost-benefit analysis of brand-name drugs and calls for action to bridge the gap between the perceived and actual value of these drugs. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the inner workings of the pharmaceutical industry and the need for healthcare reform.