
Breakthrough
The Quest for Life-changing Medicines
Oneworld Publications · Print & ebook · January 13, 2026
Meet the doctors, scientists and patients patients fighting the world’s worst diseases ‘A must read.’ Siddhartha Mukherjee, bestselling author of The Emperor of All Maladies What does it take to create a new medicine?
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- Who it’s for
- William Pao traces eight drug discoveries through the scientists, doctors, patients, and families involved.
- Genres
- Medical Research, Cancer, Pharmacology
- Published
- Oneworld Publications, January 13, 2026
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Start with this bookAbout this book
Meet the doctors, scientists and patients patients fighting the world’s worst diseases ‘A must read.’ Siddhartha Mukherjee, bestselling author of The Emperor of All Maladies What does it take to create a new medicine? The trajectory from laboratory to your neighbourhood pharmacy rarely runs smooth. Drug hunting demands radical leaps of imagination, the expertise of many… and a hefty dollop of luck.
Continue reading
Unsurprisingly, ‘eureka’ moments come few and far between – but, when they do, they change lives. Charting the discovery of eight revolutionary drugs, Dr William Pao cuts to the innovative heart of biomedical research and celebrates the tireless work of the scientists, doctors, patients and families fighting for better medical care. For each of these medicines, whether a potentially life-saving new treatment for cancer, or something as commonplace as paracetamol, there stands a cast of characters and a wealth of stories. Documenting these fascinating journeys, Breakthrough grants a privileged, behind-the-scenes look at the medicines that improve – and very often save – our lives. Foreword by Nobel Prize-Winner Harold Varmus *** ‘Utterly compelling.’ Dame Kate Bingham, author of The Long Shot ‘A celebration of medical innovation.’ Guardian ‘Captivating... An essential read.’ Art Levinson, former CEO of Genentech
Eight Drug Discoveries
William Pao traces eight drug discoveries through the scientists, doctors, patients, and families involved.
Come here for
- The discovery journeys behind eight medicines, from cancer treatments to paracetamol
Expect
- A behind-the-scenes view of medicines moving from laboratory research toward the pharmacy
- Stories of the people working toward better medical care
Where it sits
| Medical Research | 32% |
|---|---|
| Cancer | 29% |
| Pharmacology | 28% |
Percentages are BookFrontier’s reading of the book.
Publisher categories
- Health & Wellness
- Medicine
- Medical Education & Training
- Cancer
Show all 8 publisher categories
- Pharmacology
- General Science
- Biotech
- Molecular Biology
- Authors
- Dr William Pao
- Publisher
- Oneworld Publications
- Published
- January 13, 2026
- Format
- Print & ebook
- Reading lane
- Health & Wellness