Key Moments
John Crowley Interview | The Tim Ferriss Show (Podcast)
Tim FerrissKey Moments
John Crowley's journey from personal tragedy to pioneering rare disease treatments and military service.
Key Insights
Tragedy can be a powerful catalyst for innovation and perseverance, as seen in John Crowley's quest for treatments for his children.
Entrepreneurship in biotech requires immense resilience, a willingness to break conventional rules, and a long-term vision.
The military service provided valuable experiences in leadership, integrity, and a deep sense of purpose.
Overcoming personal and professional challenges often involves a profound reliance on faith, community, and a 'bigger than you' mindset.
The concept of 'paying it forward' and making a meaningful impact, even on a single life, has a significant ripple effect.
Balancing work, personal life, and altruism requires conscious decisions, strategic delegation, and cherishing moments with loved ones.
EARLY LIFE AND PROFOUND LOSS
John Crowley recounts a childhood in North Jersey marked by a strong sense of family and community. His early life was irrevocably altered in 1975 when his father, a police officer, died in a car accident. This tragedy necessitated a move with his mother and brother to live with his grandparents, instilling in young John lessons of independence, resilience, and the importance of relying on others. These formative experiences, coupled with a strong work ethic learned from his grandfather, laid the groundwork for his future endeavors.
PATH TO EDUCATION AND MILITARY SERVICE
Crowley's educational path initially led him to the Naval Academy, driven by a sense of patriotism and a desire to serve. However, a vision impairment prevented him from becoming a pilot, leading him to resign and pursue studies at Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service, majoring in international economics. He later attended Notre Dame Law School, influenced by a childhood memory of his father's affection for the university. His academic pursuits were interspersed with thoughts of a legal or military career, showcasing an early inclination towards service and intellectual challenge.
HARVARD BUSINESS SCHOOL AND UNEXPECTED DIAGNOSES
After practicing law, John pursued an MBA at Harvard Business School, adopting the case study method as a unique learning approach. It was during this period, shortly after graduating in 1997, that his life took a dramatic turn. His daughter, Megan, diagnosed with Pompe disease, a rare and fatal neuromuscular disorder, faced a grim prognosis. This devastating news, compounded by his infant son Patrick also developing the disease, shifted his focus entirely from career aspirations to finding a cure for his children.
FOUNDING NOVAZYME AND THE RELENTLESS PURSUIT OF A CURE
Driven by a fierce determination to save his children, John left his consulting job and co-founded Novazyme Pharmaceuticals in 2000. This venture was fueled by significant personal risk, including a home equity loan and credit card financing. Despite lacking prior entrepreneurial experience, he and his team made groundbreaking discoveries, developing an enzyme replacement therapy. The company's rapid success led to its acquisition by Genzyme for nearly $200 million in 2001, providing crucial funding and resources to continue the fight.
AMICUS THERAPEUTICS AND ADVANCING RARE DISEASE TREATMENTS
While the initial therapy saved his children's lives and significantly improved their quality of life, it wasn't a cure. Recognizing the need for next-generation treatments, Crowley founded Amicus Therapeutics in 2005. The company's mission is to develop medicines for rare and devastating diseases, embodying the Latin meaning of 'Amicus'—friend—by being patient-centered. Amicus has since become a leader in the field, working on multiple rare diseases and pushing the boundaries of human genetic medicine.
MILITARY SERVICE AND LESSONS IN RESILIENCE
Beyond his entrepreneurial endeavors, John Crowley served in the U.S. Navy Reserve for 11 years, including a deployment to Afghanistan as Deputy Chief of Intelligence for a counter-terror task force. This experience, working with elite units like JSOC, reinforced lessons in persistence, integrity, and sacrifice. He views his military service as a profound honor that taught him invaluable lessons about leadership, duty, and the importance of a mission that is greater than oneself, mirroring the dedication required in the biotech industry.
PARENTING, PHILANTHROPY, AND GUIDING PRINCIPLES
Crowley emphasizes raising his children with a focus on hard work, independence, and a 'bigger than you' perspective, lessons that proved invaluable given their health challenges. He highlights the remarkable resilience of children with rare diseases, noting they often possess a strength and lack of self-pity that adults can learn from. His involvement with organizations like the Make-A-Wish Foundation underscores his belief in the power of impacting individual lives profoundly, demonstrating that deep impact on one can create significant ripple effects.
ADVICE FOR NAVIGATING LIFE'S CHALLENGES
Crowley advocates for being one's own health advocate and encourages listeners to embrace their unique differences as gifts that enrich life. He stresses the importance of finding a balance between hard work and cherishing moments with loved ones, acknowledging that this balance is a continuous struggle. His journey illustrates that while adversity builds character, true resilience is forged through experience, faith, and a focus on what truly matters: time with loved ones and making a meaningful contribution.
THE FUTURE OF MEDICINE AND EXTENDED HUMANITY
Looking ahead, Crowley believes we are on the cusp of a 'golden age of medicine' driven by advancements in gene therapy and gene editing. He envisions a future where we can alleviate immense human suffering and potentially even alter the aging process itself. His work at Amicus Therapeutics aims to be at the forefront of human genetic medicine, a field he believes will revolutionize human health and extend not only lifespan but also quality of life, offering hope for unprecedented breakthroughs.
Mentioned in This Episode
●Software & Apps
●Companies
●Organizations
●Books
●Concepts
●People Referenced
Common Questions
John Crowley is the chairman and CEO of Amicus Therapeutics, a biotechnology company he co-founded in 2005. His involvement in biotech began after his two children were diagnosed with Pompe disease, leading him to found Nova Pharmaceuticals to find a cure. He also served as an intelligence officer in the US Navy Reserve and is a veteran of the Global War on Terrorism.
Topics
Mentioned in this video
Mentioned as being affected by polio.
A UCSF professor whose papers on protein engineering and DNA sequencing inspired Bob Swanson to co-found Genentech.
Author whose quote 'life is a fatal illness' is mentioned.
John and Eileen Crowley's daughter, diagnosed with Pompe disease at 15 months, now 20 and a sophomore at Notre Dame, using a wheelchair and ventilator.
A young venture capitalist at Kleiner Perkins who co-founded Genentech with Herbert Boyer, initiating the biotech industry.
John and Eileen Crowley's son, diagnosed with Pompe disease shortly after birth, now 19 and a senior in high school.
Earlier biotech entrepreneur who developed the polio vaccine, effectively eradicating the disease from the world.
Founder of Genzyme, described as a magnificent entrepreneur with a real passion for people living with rare diseases.
John Crowley's Naval Academy roommate, who later, as a Navy Commander, swore Crowley into the Navy.
Chairman and CEO of Amicus Therapeutics, known for his relentless pursuit to cure his children's Pompe disease, earning him the nickname 'real-life Captain America' and 'Bruce Banner'.
Actor who starred in the film 'Extraordinary Measures'.
The wonderful principal of Megan Crowley's kindergarten who initially worried about accommodating her needs but eventually became a strong advocate.
Actor who starred in the film 'Extraordinary Measures'.
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author of 'The Cure: How a Father Raised $100 Million and Bucked the Medical Establishment in a Quest to Save His Children'.
John Crowley's wife, his high school girlfriend and a key partner in their journey.
A book mentioned by Tim Ferriss, for which he partnered with ID Commerce and Logistics for fulfillment.
A book by G. Anand chronicling John Crowley's journey to save his children, which inspired the film 'Extraordinary Measures'.
A major publication that profiled John Crowley and his family.
Where John Crowley earned an MBA.
The command where John Crowley was assigned in the US Navy Reserve, working with elite units.
A Catholic hospital in New Brunswick that agreed to treat John Crowley's children after initial pushback from other institutions.
Where John Crowley served as a commissioned intelligence officer from 2005 to 2016.
The collegiate football team that played Notre Dame in the 1975 Sugar Bowl.
Elite special operations force that trained John Crowley in fast roping.
The regulatory body that had to be comfortable with the clinical study for Pompe disease before John Crowley's children could be treated.
Where John Crowley earned a JD from the law school and where his daughter Megan is currently a sophomore.
Formerly known as the Infantile Paralysis Foundation, which provided funding for Salk's vaccine research.
Genetically engineered mice to express Pompe disease, used in early animal models for drug development.
Where John Crowley earned a BS in Foreign Service.
Hospital in Oakland where Megan Crowley's Pompe disease was diagnosed.
The order of teachers at Bergen Catholic High School.
The collegiate football team that John Crowley and his father rooted for; his father was a 'subway alum'.
A founding board member of which John Crowley is a part.
The institution where John Crowley is a Henry Crown Fellow and met Tim Ferriss.
Hospital in Boston where Megan Crowley was born.
John Crowley's high school, a football powerhouse where he realized football wasn't for him.
Home to a leading scientist doing research on Pompe disease, who published a paper showing correction in animal models.
Where Jonas Salk was a young researcher when he developed the polio vaccine.
A financial advice company popular in Silicon Valley, providing high-end financial advice and automated tax-efficient investment management.
A top e-commerce platform that integrates with ID Commerce and Logistics.
A pharmaceutical company where John Crowley worked in marketing before dedicating himself full-time to finding a cure for his children's disease.
A publicly traded biotechnology company founded by John Crowley in 2005, focusing on medicines for rare and devastating disorders, with 300+ employees in 22 countries.
A startup co-founded by John Crowley in 2000, conducting research on an experimental treatment for Pompe disease, which ultimately saved his children's lives.
A company specializing in inventory management and fulfillment for online retailers and entrepreneurs, helping them scale businesses by handling logistics.
A large rare disease biotech company that acquired Nova Pharmaceuticals in 2001 and played a critical role in developing the treatment for Pompe disease.
The store where John Crowley and his dad bought a helmet and gold spray paint to make a Notre Dame helmet.
A venture capital firm whose young venture capitalist, Bob Swanson, was instrumental in founding Genentech.
A prepared meal delivery service that John Crowley's wife Eileen has been trying.
Another biotech company with whom John Crowley had negotiated a large partnership before deciding to sell Nova to Genzyme.
The URL for ID Commerce and Logistics.
An e-commerce platform that integrates with ID Commerce and Logistics.
Megan Crowley's blog where she shares her life perspective as a remarkable young lady living with significant physical challenges.
An e-commerce platform that integrates with ID Commerce and Logistics.
A prepared meal delivery service that John Crowley's wife Eileen has been trying.
A fitness activity John Crowley engages in for intense workouts.
An exercise John Crowley includes in his home weightlifting routine.
The URL to access Wealthfront's free risk assessment survey and get details on financial services.
The URL for listeners to get a discount on ID Commerce and Logistics.
Where John Crowley's family moved and where his daughter Megan attended kindergarten.
Where John Crowley spent time as a child with his grandfather, seeing apartment buildings across the George Washington Bridge.
John Crowley's son John would go there yearly for a father-son trip to visit memorials and monuments, including Arlington National Cemetery.
Where John Crowley served during the Global War on Terrorism.
Where the Crowley family was living at the time of Megan's diagnosis.
Former amusement park in Fort Lee, New Jersey, before apartment buildings were built. John Crowley's grandfather was a superintendent of one of the first buildings there.
Where John Crowley took his son John to witness a service for Wounded Warriors, teaching him about sacrifice and service.
The location of the Sears where John Crowley and his dad bought a football helmet.
A major motion picture based on John Crowley's story, starring Brendan Fraser and Harrison Ford.
A documentary mentioned in the context of confronting fears of heights.
Mentioned by John Crowley that he reads the headlines of the news from the New York Times on his iPad in the morning.
More from Tim Ferriss
View all 688 summaries
91 minThe Random Show, Couch Edition! — Supplements, Breathing and Balance Training, and Much More!
76 minHow to Quiet the Ruminative Mind and Avoid The Traps of Self-Help — Tim Ferriss
86 minNYT Bestselling Author on Writing 200+ Children's Books — Tish Rabe
134 minChampion of "Alone" on The Art of Survival — Jordan Jonas
Found this useful? Build your knowledge library
Get AI-powered summaries of any YouTube video, podcast, or article in seconds. Save them to your personal pods and access them anytime.
Try Summify free