Breakthrough by Dr William Pao

Breakthrough

The Quest for Life-changing Medicines

Dr William Pao

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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About 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.

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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 Research32%
Cancer29%
Pharmacology28%

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