Robert Langer is a professor at MIT and one of the most cited researchers in history, specializing in biotechnology fields of drug delivery systems and tissue engineering. He has bridged theory and practice by being a key member and driving force in launching many successful biotech companies out of MIT.

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EPISODE LINKS:
Bob's Lab Website: https://langerlab.mit.edu/
Bob's Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=5HX--AYAAAAJ
Bob's Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_S._Langer

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OUTLINE:
0:00 - Introduction
3:07 - Magic and science
5:34 - Memorable rejection
8:35 - How to come up with big ideas in science
13:27 - How to make a new drug
22:38 - Drug delivery
28:22 - Tissue engineering
35:22 - Beautiful idea in bioengineering
38:16 - Patenting process
42:21 - What does it take to build a successful startup?
46:18 - Mentoring students
50:54 - Funding
58:08 - Cookies
59:41 - What are you most proud of?

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And close to a thousand students go through the lab.

And I mean, they've done incredibly well.

I think 18 are in the National Academy of Engineering, 16 in the National Academy of Medicine.

I mean, they've been CEOs of companies, presidents of universities.

I mean, and they've done, I think 8 are faculty at MIT, maybe about 12 at Harvard.

I mean, so, you know, it really makes you feel good to think that the people, you know, they're not my children, but they're close to my children in a way.

And, you know, it makes you feel really good to see them have such great lives and them do so much good and be happy.

Well, I think that's a perfect way to end it, Bob.

Thanks for listening to this conversation with Bob Langer and thank you to our sponsors, Cash App and Masterclass.

Please consider supporting the podcast by downloading Cash App and using code LEXPODCAST and signing up at masterclass.com slash Lex.

It's the best way to support this podcast and the journey I'm on in my research and startup.

If you enjoy this thing, subscribe on YouTube, review it with 5,000 Apple podcast, support it on Patreon, or connect with me on Twitter at Lex Friedman, spelled without the E, just F-R-I-D-M-A-N.

And now let me leave you with some words from Bill Bryson in his book, A Short History of nearly everything.

If this book has a lesson, it is that we're awfully lucky to be here.

To attain any kind of life in this universe of ours appears to be quite an achievement.

As humans, we're doubly lucky, of course.

We enjoy not only the privilege of existence, but also the singular ability to appreciate it, and even in a multitude of ways to make it better.

It is talent we have only barely begun to grasp.

Thank you for listening, and hope to see you next time.


Speaker 0: And close to a thousand students go through the lab. And I mean, they've done incredibly well. I think 18 are in the National Academy of Engineering, 16 in the National Academy of Medicine. I mean, they've been CEOs of companies, presidents of universities. I mean, and they've done, I think 8 are faculty at MIT, maybe about 12 at Harvard.

I mean, so, you know, it really makes you feel good to think that the people, you know, they're not my children, but they're close to my children in a way. And, you know, it makes you feel really good to see them have such great lives and them do so much good and be happy. Well, I think that's a perfect way to end it, Bob. Thank you so much for talking today. My pleasure.

Speaker 1: It was an honor.

Speaker 0: Good questions, thank you.

Speaker 1: Thanks for listening to this conversation with Bob Langer and thank you to our sponsors, Cash App and Masterclass. Please consider supporting the podcast by downloading Cash App and using code LEXPODCAST and signing up at masterclass.com slash Lex. Click on the links, buy all the stuff. It's the best way to support this podcast and the journey I'm on in my research and startup. If you enjoy this thing, subscribe on YouTube, review it with 5,000 Apple podcast, support it on Patreon, or connect with me on Twitter at Lex Friedman, spelled without the E, just F-R-I-D-M-A-N.

And now let me leave you with some words from Bill Bryson in his book, A Short History of nearly everything. If this book has a lesson, it is that we're awfully lucky to be here. And by we, I mean every living thing. To attain any kind of life in this universe of ours appears to be quite an achievement. As humans, we're doubly lucky, of course.

We enjoy not only the privilege of existence, but also the singular ability to appreciate it, and even in a multitude of ways to make it better. It is talent we have only barely begun to grasp. Thank you for listening, and hope to see you next time.

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Robert Langer: Edison of Medicine | Lex Fridman Podcast #105