Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation
Grant in 2024
The Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (OMRF) is a non-profit biomedical research institute dedicated to understanding and treating various devastating illnesses, including Alzheimer's, heart disease, lupus, multiple sclerosis, and cancer. It operates a research facility, providing services and access to resources that facilitate drug discoveries and improve patient care.
Precision Epigenomics
Grant in 2024
Precision Epigenomics, established in 2020 and based in Tucson, Arizona, specializes in molecular diagnostics for cancer. The company focuses on developing innovative molecular diagnostic assays, leveraging DNA methylation analysis, an epigenetic modification, to enhance cancer diagnosis and treatment. Their offerings aim to address unmet clinical needs, aiding clinicians in improved patient management.
Marker Therapeutics
Grant in 2024
Marker Therapeutics is a clinical-stage immuno-oncology company developing adoptive non-gene modified T cell therapies for treating hematologic malignancies. Its MultiTAA technology selectively expands non-engineered T cells to target and kill tumor cells expressing multiple tumor-associated antigens, preventing immune escape.
VenoStent develops bioabsorbable smart polymer wraps for vascular surgeries. Its flagship product, SelfWrap, is a perivascular wrap designed to reduce failures at the vein-artery junction in dialysis patients by promoting outward vein growth and providing custom-fit mechanical support. The company's technology acts as an external stent, reducing surgery time, infection risk, and wound reopening while improving vein usability and durability.
SINTX Technologies
Grant in 2023
SINTX Technologies is a ceramics company focused on silicon nitride for medical and related applications. It develops and manufactures silicon nitride biomaterials used in implants and devices, with products designed to be biocompatible, bioactive, antipathogenic, and to have good bone affinity. The company produces silicon nitride spinal implants in an ISO 13485 certified facility for CTL-Amedica, its exclusive retail channel for such implants, and markets products through direct sales, distributors, OEM partnerships, and private-label arrangements. Founded in 1996 and headquartered in Salt Lake City, it serves customers in the United States, Europe, and South America.
Clene Nanomedicine
Grant in 2023
Clene Nanomedicine, established in 2012 and headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to developing innovative therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases. The company has pioneered a unique nanotechnology drug platform that enables the creation of orally-administered neurotherapeutic drugs. This technology, known as Clean-Surface Nanosuspension, produces clean-surface nanocrystal medicines and serves as a foundation for a pipeline of new drug candidates aimed at addressing various diseases with significant unmet medical needs. Clene Nanomedicine's primary focus areas include demyelinating disorders and oncology.
Base Pair Biotechnologies
Grant in 2023
Base Pair Biotechnologies, Inc. is a biotechnology company based in Pearland, Texas, specializing in the research, development, and discovery of aptamer affinity ligands. Established in 2012, the company offers custom aptamer development services and a catalog of ready-made aptamers. Its innovative platform incorporates novel libraries and proprietary methods for multiplexing the aptamer discovery process, allowing for efficient screening and validation. Base Pair Biotechnologies collaborates with academic, commercial, and government institutions to create advanced tools and technologies across various sectors, including diagnostics, therapeutics, animal testing, agriculture, and environmental testing. The company's expertise in aptamer research, which began in 2004, has positioned it as a leader in the field, enabling clients to obtain high-quality aptamers with reduced time and cost.
University of Oklahoma - Health Sciences Center
Grant in 2023
University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, as a comprehensive academic health center, is to educate students, residents, and other trainees in professional and graduate programs to become Oklahoma’s future team of healthcare leaders, clinicians, researchers, and educators; to advance distinctive basic, translational, clinical, and population research; to innovate and commercialize discoveries; and to deliver exceptional patient care across the full breadth of adult, women’s, and children’s specialties.
University of Utah
Grant in 2023
The University of Utah, located in Salt Lake City, is the state's foremost public university and the only institution in Utah with a medical school. It offers a diverse array of undergraduate and graduate programs, encompassing over 100 undergraduate majors across disciplines such as architecture, business, education, engineering, fine arts, health careers, humanities, and social work, as well as more than 90 graduate degrees. In addition to its medical school, the University hosts a law school and a pharmacy school. Students are encouraged to engage in vibrant campus life through more than 400 clubs and organizations, alongside recreational activities and cultural events. Admission requirements include an application fee, transcripts, and standardized test scores, with a minimum high school GPA of 2.6. Financial aid is available based on both academic merit and financial need, with students required to complete the FAFSA to determine their eligibility for scholarships, loans, and grants.
University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
Grant in 2023
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio serves San Antonio and the 50,000 square-mile area of South Texas. It extends to campuses in the metropolitan border communities of Laredo and the Rio Grande Valley.
More than 3,000 students a year train in an environment that involves more than 100 affiliated hospitals, clinics and health care facilities in South Texas.
The UT Health Science Center and its Cancer Therapy & Research Center hold diversity as a core value. In this context, they are mindful of all aspects of human differences, such as socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, language, nationality, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, geography, disability and age.
At the UT Health Science Center and CTRC, inclusion is a core element for successfully achieving diversity, as they strive to create a climate that fosters belonging, respect and value for all. As an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer, the UT Health Science Center and CTRC exercise these core values of diversity and inclusion by promoting and ensuring equal employment opportunity for all individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status.
University of Utah
Grant in 2023
The University of Utah, located in Salt Lake City, is the state's foremost public university and the only institution in Utah with a medical school. It offers a diverse array of undergraduate and graduate programs, encompassing over 100 undergraduate majors across disciplines such as architecture, business, education, engineering, fine arts, health careers, humanities, and social work, as well as more than 90 graduate degrees. In addition to its medical school, the University hosts a law school and a pharmacy school. Students are encouraged to engage in vibrant campus life through more than 400 clubs and organizations, alongside recreational activities and cultural events. Admission requirements include an application fee, transcripts, and standardized test scores, with a minimum high school GPA of 2.6. Financial aid is available based on both academic merit and financial need, with students required to complete the FAFSA to determine their eligibility for scholarships, loans, and grants.
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Grant in 2023
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center is a leading institution dedicated exclusively to cancer patient care, research, education, and prevention. Located in the Texas Medical Center in Houston, Texas, it was established as one of the original three comprehensive cancer centers under the National Cancer Act of 1971. MD Anderson serves as both a degree-granting academic institution and a specialized cancer treatment facility. It is affiliated with two prominent medical schools: The University of Texas Medical School at Houston and Baylor College of Medicine. Renowned for its exceptional cancer care, MD Anderson has consistently ranked among the top cancer hospitals in the United States, earning the No. 1 position in U.S. News & World Report's "Best Hospitals" survey for ten of the past twelve years. The center is widely recognized for its commitment to advancing cancer treatment and improving patient outcomes.
Marker Therapeutics
Grant in 2023
Marker Therapeutics is a clinical-stage immuno-oncology company developing adoptive non-gene modified T cell therapies for treating hematologic malignancies. Its MultiTAA technology selectively expands non-engineered T cells to target and kill tumor cells expressing multiple tumor-associated antigens, preventing immune escape.
Domus Diagnostics
Grant in 2023
Founded in 2021, Domus Diagnostics specializes in respiratory disease home testing services via its care diagnostics platform. The company offers affordable, user-friendly, and accurate testing kits designed to address infectious disease outbreaks promptly.
Rice University
Grant in 2023
Rice University, established in 1912, is a private comprehensive research university based in Houston, Texas. It offers personalized academic experiences across various disciplines and fosters an intellectually diverse environment.
Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation
Grant in 2023
The Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (OMRF) is a non-profit biomedical research institute dedicated to understanding and treating various devastating illnesses, including Alzheimer's, heart disease, lupus, multiple sclerosis, and cancer. It operates a research facility, providing services and access to resources that facilitate drug discoveries and improve patient care.
PharmaJet develops and markets needle-free jet injectors for vaccine delivery, enabling administration without a needle and reducing sharps injuries, needle reuse, cross-contamination, and medical waste. Its Stratis and Tropis platforms are designed to deliver vaccines intramuscular, subcutaneous, or intradermal across various volumes, offering a potential return on investment by lowering risk and waste. Founded in 2005 and based in Golden, Colorado, PharmaJet focuses on delivering safe, user-friendly devices that support immunization programs and aim to simplify injections while expanding access to vaccination.
Texas Biomedical Research Institute
Grant in 2022
Founded in 1941, Texas Biomedical Research Institute is a renowned scientific research organization based in San Antonio, Texas. It focuses on innovative and cutting-edge research to understand and combat chronic and infectious diseases.
Sequitur Health
Grant in 2022
Founded in 2019, Sequitur Health specializes in developing innovative medical devices aimed at saving and enhancing lives. Based in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation
Grant in 2022
The Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (OMRF) is a non-profit biomedical research institute dedicated to understanding and treating various devastating illnesses, including Alzheimer's, heart disease, lupus, multiple sclerosis, and cancer. It operates a research facility, providing services and access to resources that facilitate drug discoveries and improve patient care.
University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
Grant in 2022
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio serves San Antonio and the 50,000 square-mile area of South Texas. It extends to campuses in the metropolitan border communities of Laredo and the Rio Grande Valley.
More than 3,000 students a year train in an environment that involves more than 100 affiliated hospitals, clinics and health care facilities in South Texas.
The UT Health Science Center and its Cancer Therapy & Research Center hold diversity as a core value. In this context, they are mindful of all aspects of human differences, such as socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, language, nationality, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, geography, disability and age.
At the UT Health Science Center and CTRC, inclusion is a core element for successfully achieving diversity, as they strive to create a climate that fosters belonging, respect and value for all. As an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer, the UT Health Science Center and CTRC exercise these core values of diversity and inclusion by promoting and ensuring equal employment opportunity for all individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status.
Nanoscope Therapeutics
Grant in 2021
Nanoscope Therapeutics Inc. is a biotechnology company based in Bedford, Texas, focused on developing innovative gene therapies aimed at restoring vision for individuals affected by retinal degenerative diseases, such as retinitis pigmentosa and dry age-related macular degeneration. Established in 2017, the company specializes in light-sensitive molecules and employs light-assisted gene delivery techniques to enable targeted treatment that re-sensitizes the retina, allowing patients to perceive low light levels. By utilizing a unique optogenetic approach, Nanoscope Therapeutics aims to deliver a solution for vision loss in patients where no effective cure currently exists, thereby advancing the potential for vision restoration in millions of affected individuals.
BiVACOR, Inc. is a Houston-based company founded in 2008 that specializes in designing and manufacturing advanced centrifugal heart pumps. The company develops an artificial heart-pumping device aimed at fully replacing the function of a failing heart. This innovative device features a compact, magnetically levitated rotor situated between opposing pump casings, utilizing rotary blood pump technology to deliver necessary cardiac output. By minimizing the risk of blood-cell damage and clotting, BiVACOR's technology offers patients a reliable substitute for natural blood pumping systems. With a team of skilled engineers, medical specialists, and business executives, BiVACOR has established a robust network for collaboration both in the United States and internationally, including an office in Brisbane, Australia.
Cassava Sciences
Grant in 2021
Cassava Sciences is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on neuroscience, developing novel treatments and diagnostics for nervous system disorders, notably Alzheimer's disease.
Armis Biopharma
Grant in 2020
Armis Biopharma develops non-systemic antimicrobial products to combat antibiotic resistance and healthcare-associated infections. Its portfolio includes Ximycin for surgical site infection prevention and Veriox, a peracid-based platform with broad-spectrum activity against bacteria, viruses, fungi, and toxins.
Solenic Medical
Grant in 2020
Founded in 2019, Solenic Medical specializes in the development of a non-invasive medical device that uses alternating magnetic fields to eradicate biofilm on metallic implants. Its technology aims to address complications arising from surgeries like knee and hip replacements, as well as trauma-related implants.
Mesa Biotech
Grant in 2020
Mesa Biotech, Inc. is a San Diego-based company that specializes in the design, development, manufacturing, and commercialization of molecular diagnostic tests aimed at infectious diseases. Founded in 2015, the company has developed innovative products such as the Accula Dock, which manages critical testing parameters, and various Accula test cassettes for detecting influenza and respiratory syncytial virus. Mesa Biotech's technology simplifies DNA and RNA molecular testing, merging the convenience of point-of-care testing with the sensitivity and specificity typically associated with laboratory-based diagnostics. This enables healthcare professionals to obtain actionable, laboratory-quality results directly at the point of care, enhancing the efficiency of disease management and treatment. The company also operates a satellite testing laboratory in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Cassava Sciences
Grant in 2020
Cassava Sciences is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on neuroscience, developing novel treatments and diagnostics for nervous system disorders, notably Alzheimer's disease.
VenoStent develops bioabsorbable smart polymer wraps for vascular surgeries. Its flagship product, SelfWrap, is a perivascular wrap designed to reduce failures at the vein-artery junction in dialysis patients by promoting outward vein growth and providing custom-fit mechanical support. The company's technology acts as an external stent, reducing surgery time, infection risk, and wound reopening while improving vein usability and durability.
Peel Therapeutics
Grant in 2018
Peel Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company based in Salt Lake City, Utah, focused on developing innovative cancer therapies utilizing proteins derived from elephants. Established in 2015, the company has harnessed the unique properties of elephant p53 (EP53) nanoparticles to create treatments aimed at enhancing patient outcomes in oncology. Peel Therapeutics aims to regulate cellular responses to environmental stresses by stimulating gene transcription associated with cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, and metabolism. In addition to its core focus on cancer treatment, the company is actively exploring new therapeutic avenues for both cancer and inflammatory diseases, leveraging the evolutionary advantages found in nature to address complex health challenges.
Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation
Grant in 2018
The Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (OMRF) is a non-profit biomedical research institute dedicated to understanding and treating various devastating illnesses, including Alzheimer's, heart disease, lupus, multiple sclerosis, and cancer. It operates a research facility, providing services and access to resources that facilitate drug discoveries and improve patient care.
7 Hills Pharma
Grant in 2018
7 Hills Pharma is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in Houston, Texas. It focuses on developing innovative therapies to enhance the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors, adoptive cell therapy, and cord blood transplant for treating solid tumors and orphan genetic diseases.
MenoGeniX is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing therapies for menopause and related symptoms, including hot flashes and other vasomotor issues, with interest in addressing menopause-related needs in breast and prostate cancer patients. Founded in 2010 and headquartered in Aurora, Colorado, the company develops drugs intended to help women manage menopausal problems and offers hormone therapy alongside a low-dose form of the generic antidepressant paroxetine to support treatment of menopause-related symptoms.
CerSci Therapeutics
Grant in 2017
CerSci Therapeutics Inc. is a Dallas, Texas-based biotechnology company focused on developing non-opioid alternatives for the treatment of acute post-operative and chronic neuropathic pain, including pain associated with diabetes and chemotherapy. Founded in 2015, the company is advancing its lead drug candidate, CT-044, which has received approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration to proceed with Phase I clinical trials. CT-044 is a small molecule designed to decompose radical species such as peroxynitrite and hydrogen peroxide, and it is intended to address both acute and chronic pain conditions. As of August 2020, CerSci Therapeutics operates as a subsidiary of ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc.
University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
Grant in 2017
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio serves San Antonio and the 50,000 square-mile area of South Texas. It extends to campuses in the metropolitan border communities of Laredo and the Rio Grande Valley.
More than 3,000 students a year train in an environment that involves more than 100 affiliated hospitals, clinics and health care facilities in South Texas.
The UT Health Science Center and its Cancer Therapy & Research Center hold diversity as a core value. In this context, they are mindful of all aspects of human differences, such as socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, language, nationality, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, geography, disability and age.
At the UT Health Science Center and CTRC, inclusion is a core element for successfully achieving diversity, as they strive to create a climate that fosters belonging, respect and value for all. As an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer, the UT Health Science Center and CTRC exercise these core values of diversity and inclusion by promoting and ensuring equal employment opportunity for all individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status.
CerSci Therapeutics
Grant in 2017
CerSci Therapeutics Inc. is a Dallas, Texas-based biotechnology company focused on developing non-opioid alternatives for the treatment of acute post-operative and chronic neuropathic pain, including pain associated with diabetes and chemotherapy. Founded in 2015, the company is advancing its lead drug candidate, CT-044, which has received approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration to proceed with Phase I clinical trials. CT-044 is a small molecule designed to decompose radical species such as peroxynitrite and hydrogen peroxide, and it is intended to address both acute and chronic pain conditions. As of August 2020, CerSci Therapeutics operates as a subsidiary of ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Owlet Baby Care
Series B in 2016
Owlet Baby Care Inc. is a company based in Lehi, Utah, founded in 2012, that specializes in the development and manufacturing of innovative monitoring solutions for infants. Its flagship product, the Owlet Smart Sock, is a proactive health monitor that tracks a baby's heart rate and oxygen levels while sleeping, sending alerts to parents if any concerning changes occur. The company also offers the Owlet Cam, which transforms smartphones into high-definition baby monitors, and the Owlet Monitor Duo, which combines the features of both the Smart Sock and the Cam. Additionally, Owlet provides the Owlet Dream Lab, an online program aimed at helping parents cultivate healthy sleep habits for their infants. By offering real-time data and insights, Owlet Baby Care aims to enhance parental confidence and peace of mind regarding their child's health and well-being.
Pulmotect, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company based in Houston, Texas, specializing in the development of inhaled therapeutics aimed at preventing and treating respiratory infections, particularly in cancer patients with compromised immune systems. Founded in 2007, the company's innovative approach focuses on enhancing the innate immune system to provide rapid and effective protection against a wide range of pathogens, including bacterial pneumonia, influenza, and fungal pneumonia, as well as potential bioterror agents. Pulmotect’s lead product, PUL-042, is a clinical-stage inhaled therapeutic that delivers immediate immune response, offering broad-spectrum protection that lasts for several days. By boosting the body’s natural defenses, Pulmotect aims to significantly reduce morbidity and mortality in vulnerable patient populations at risk of severe respiratory diseases.
Cassava Sciences
Grant in 2015
Cassava Sciences is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on neuroscience, developing novel treatments and diagnostics for nervous system disorders, notably Alzheimer's disease.
Recursion Pharmaceuticals
Grant in 2015
Recursion Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage biotechnology company that aims to radically improve patients’ lives by decoding biology through the integration of biology, chemistry, automation, data science, and engineering to industrialize drug discovery. The company operates a large-scale drug discovery platform built around Recursion OS, an infrastructure layer and a Map of proprietary biological and chemical data, supported by software tools and machine learning to explore biology beyond human bias and identify new therapeutic opportunities. Its platform includes ReChem for selecting and designing compounds, ReScreen and ReScreenRun for planning and automating large-scale experiments, and ReRun, ReAnalyze, and RePredict for digital signatures, data analysis, and predictive modeling of drug relationships. Founded in 2013, the company is based in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation
Grant in 2014
The Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (OMRF) is a non-profit biomedical research institute dedicated to understanding and treating various devastating illnesses, including Alzheimer's, heart disease, lupus, multiple sclerosis, and cancer. It operates a research facility, providing services and access to resources that facilitate drug discoveries and improve patient care.
ZZ Biotech
Seed Round in 2014
ZZ Biotech develops biological treatments for ischemic stroke and other neurological disorders. Its flagship product is 3K3A-APC, a genetically engineered variant of activated protein C (APC), designed to reduce bleeding risks while preserving cell-protective and anti-inflammatory activities. The company, founded in 2006, is currently conducting Phase 2 clinical trials for its treatment.
AquaMost, Inc. is a Madison, Wisconsin-based company specializing in the development and manufacturing of chemical-free water treatment solutions. Founded in 2006, AquaMost's flagship product, the SX Reactor, integrates multiple bacteria-killing technologies, including onsite generation of chlorine and hydroxyl radicals combined with ultraviolet irradiation, achieving over 99% efficacy in eliminating bacteria. This innovative system is particularly tailored for the oil and gas industry, but its applications extend to various sectors including food and beverage, drinking water treatment, dairy, and other industrial uses. AquaMost also provides delivery, setup, and maintenance support for its systems, which have been deployed in regions such as Texas, Colorado, Utah, and Canada.
Molecular Templates
Grant in 2010
Molecular Templates, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in Austin, Texas, dedicated to the discovery and development of biologic therapeutics aimed at treating cancer and other serious diseases. The company utilizes its proprietary engineered toxin body (ETB) platform to create therapies with unique mechanisms of action that differ from traditional antibody-drug conjugates. Its lead candidate, MT-3724, is currently undergoing Phase II clinical trials for relapsed and refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Additionally, Molecular Templates is developing other candidates, including MT-4019, which targets CD38, and has a partnership with Takeda Pharmaceutical Company to create CD38-targeted therapies for multiple myeloma. The company also collaborates with Vertex Pharmaceuticals to enhance the hematopoietic stem cell transplant process through novel conditioning regimens.