About this episode

The episode explores historical moments that led to the development of GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy.

In the first episode of our second season, hosts David Anderson and Gina Vitale travel back in time to relive three historical moments that led to blockbuster drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy. They also talk with C&EN reporter Aayushi Pratap about how future GLP-1 drugs may expand on the current slate of options. C&EN's latest podcast, Inflection Point, leans on our 100-year archive to trace headline topics in science today back to their disparate and surprising roots. In each episode, we explore three lesser-known moments in science history that ultimately led us to current-day breakthroughs. With help from expert C&EN reporters, this new show examines how discoveries from our past have shaped our present and will change our future. Subscribe to Inflection Point now on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , or wherever you get your podcasts.

People in this episode

Hosts: David Anderson, Gina Vitale

Guest: Aayushi Pratap

Topics covered

• GLP-1 drugs
• historical moments
• blockbuster drugs
• science history
• medical breakthroughs

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: C&EN

Products: Ozempic, Wegovy

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• Sorting out the controversial history of plastics recycling · July 1, 2026 · 44 min
• Nuclear fusion stumped us for a century. Can it fuel the future? · June 17, 2026 · 39 min
• Can we carbon-capture our way out of climate change? · June 3, 2026 · 45 min
• Retinol: The magical molecule's bizarre history · May 20, 2026 · 33 min
• Inflection Point: A time-traveling science history podcast · May 4, 2026 · 2 min
• Bonus: Celebrating 1 year of Inflection Point! · March 23, 2026 · 31 min

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