Dr. Rachel Brem on Why Collaboration Between Academia and Industry Is Essential to Medical Innovation

We Work For Health Executive Director Dan Leonard recently sat down with Dr. Rachel Brem, Director of the Breast Imaging and Interventional Center at George Washington University and Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer of the Brem Foundation. Dr. Brem has pioneered multiple breakthrough technologies for early breast cancer detection and brings a unique perspective – both professional and deeply personal – on what it takes to translate medical innovation into life-saving care. 

Throughout the conversation, Brem emphasizes that innovation cannot remain confined to the laboratory. For breakthrough technologies to reach patients who need them, collaboration between academia and industry is essential. 

"I feel very fortunate that throughout my career, I've had the opportunity to work in academia as well as collaborate with industry," Brem said. "If we don't have this collaboration, these really exciting breakthrough technologies are nothing more than a science experiment." 

Brem's work has contributed to a remarkable achievement: breast cancer mortality has declined by 50% over the past three decades, driven by advances in imaging technologies, early detection, and targeted therapies. But she stresses that continued progress requires more than scientific discovery; it demands supportive policy frameworks that enable partnerships and ensure equitable access to innovation. 

Beyond her clinical work, Brem co-founded the Brem Foundation, which champions early detection of breast cancer to improve health outcomes for all through innovation, education, equitable access, and targeted advocacy. Through advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill, the Foundation fights to ensure that all women – regardless of socioeconomic status – have access to life-saving breast cancer screening technologies. 

When it comes to policy, Brem's message to lawmakers is clear: we must remove barriers that prevent women from accessing life-saving technologies. 

"We have to break down barriers, both in innovation – making the partnership with industry and academia easier – but also working diligently and tirelessly to ensure that every woman, regardless of their socioeconomic level, is both informed and has the capacity to avail herself of these really exciting technologies that not only do they need, but they deserve," she said. 

Check out the full interview to hear more about Brem's groundbreaking work, her personal journey, and why protecting medical innovation is essential to ensuring breakthrough technologies reach the patients who need them most.