Going All-In on Infectious Diseases

George Scangos, Vir Biotechnology
In conversation with: Jody Puglisi, Stanford School of Medicine

Vir Biotechnology president and CEO George Scangos explains why many companies struggle to build a sustainable business model around fighting infectious diseases, particularly when it comes to developing antibiotics. However, he adds, certain therapies for viral diseases are currently more financially viable. Dr. Scangos explores why Vir decided to go “all-in” on infectious diseases, how they built a company around that mission, and how the arrival of COVID-19 impacted the young company’s trajectory.