National Institutes of Health

Marker Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage immuno-oncology company based in Houston, Texas, that focuses on developing and commercializing T cell-based immunotherapies and peptide-based vaccines for hematological malignancies and solid tumors. The company’s MultiTAA technology enhances the effectiveness of non-engineered tumor-specific T cells, enabling them to target multiple tumor-associated antigens simultaneously. This approach aims to prevent immune escape and foster durable immunity. Marker Therapeutics offers autologous T cell therapies for conditions such as lymphoma and multiple myeloma, while also developing allogeneic T cell therapies for acute myeloid leukemia and acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Additionally, the company is advancing peptide-based vaccines, including TPIV100/110 and TPIV200, which are currently in Phase II clinical trials for treating breast and ovarian cancers, respectively.

VenoStent, Inc. is a clinical-stage tissue engineering company based in Nashville, Tennessee, with an additional office in Houston, Texas. Founded in 2017, it specializes in the development of bioresorbable smart polymers designed to enhance vascular surgery outcomes. The company’s primary product, SelfWrap, is a perivascular wrap that functions as an external stent, providing mechanical support to veins and promoting outward growth. This innovative technology aims to reduce complications at the vein-artery junction in dialysis patients, particularly by minimizing vein collapse and improving the usability of arteriovenous fistulas (AVF). By utilizing a new class of shape-memory polymers that do not require sutures, VenoStent's approach reduces surgery time and lowers the risk of infection, ultimately enhancing the quality and length of life for patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing hemodialysis.

Base Pair Biotechnologies, Inc. specializes in the research, development, and discovery of aptamer affinity ligands. Founded in 2012 and based in Pearland, Texas, the company provides custom aptamer discovery and development services, as well as assay development services, and offers a catalog of aptamer projects. Its innovative platform integrates novel libraries and patented methods that enhance the multiplexing of the aptamer discovery process, along with effective screening and validation techniques. The company collaborates with various academic, commercial, and governmental institutions to create new tools and technologies across multiple sectors, including diagnostics, therapeutics, agriculture, and environmental testing. Base Pair Biotechnologies has been engaged in aptamer research since 2004 and has recently expanded its offerings to the commercial market, significantly improving the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of custom aptamer development.

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.

Marker Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage immuno-oncology company based in Houston, Texas, that focuses on developing and commercializing T cell-based immunotherapies and peptide-based vaccines for hematological malignancies and solid tumors. The company’s MultiTAA technology enhances the effectiveness of non-engineered tumor-specific T cells, enabling them to target multiple tumor-associated antigens simultaneously. This approach aims to prevent immune escape and foster durable immunity. Marker Therapeutics offers autologous T cell therapies for conditions such as lymphoma and multiple myeloma, while also developing allogeneic T cell therapies for acute myeloid leukemia and acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Additionally, the company is advancing peptide-based vaccines, including TPIV100/110 and TPIV200, which are currently in Phase II clinical trials for treating breast and ovarian cancers, respectively.

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.

Rice University is a private research institution located in Houston, Texas, established in 1912. It emphasizes education across various fields, including humanities, sciences, and engineering, creating an environment that fosters diversity and intellectual growth. The university prioritizes close relationships between students and faculty, facilitating personalized academic experiences that enhance learning and research initiatives. Through its commitment to academic excellence, Rice University supports a wide range of programs, including scholarships, professorships, and fellowships, contributing to both basic research and public service initiatives.

Texas Biomedical Research Institute, founded in 1941 by Thomas B. Slick Jr., is a prominent research institution based in San Antonio, Texas. Its mission is to advance understanding of chronic and infectious diseases through innovative research and the application of cutting-edge technologies. The Institute is recognized globally for its high-quality scientific contributions and aims to protect families and the broader community from the threats posed by infectious diseases. By fostering a collaborative environment for researchers, Texas Biomedical Research Institute continues to make significant strides in the fields of biomedical science and public health.

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.

BiVACOR, Inc., founded in 2008 and based in Houston, Texas, specializes in the design and manufacture of centrifugal heart pumps aimed at replacing the functions of failing hearts. The company has developed an innovative artificial heart-pumping device that features a compact design with a magnetically levitated rotor situated between opposing pump casings. This advanced rotary blood pump technology is engineered to deliver the necessary cardiac output while minimizing the risks of blood-cell damage and clotting. BiVACOR's team comprises skilled engineers, medical specialists, and business executives who collaborate to enhance this groundbreaking technology. The company also maintains an international office in Brisbane, Australia, fostering a strong network to support its mission.

Cassava Sciences, Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company based in Austin, Texas, focused on developing innovative treatments and diagnostic tools for nervous system disorders, particularly Alzheimer's disease. The company's lead therapeutic candidate, simufilam, is undergoing Phase 3 clinical trials to assess its efficacy in treating Alzheimer's disease dementia. Additionally, Cassava is advancing SavaDx, a blood-based diagnostic aimed at detecting Alzheimer's disease early, potentially years before symptoms manifest. Founded in 1998 and originally known as Pain Therapeutics, Inc., Cassava Sciences has shifted its focus to neuroscience, leveraging scientific insights to address the complex challenges associated with neurological conditions.

Solenic Medical, Inc. is a medical device company founded in 2019 and based in College Station, Texas. It specializes in developing a non-invasive treatment for infected metallic implants using a technology that employs alternating magnetic fields generated by external coils. This innovative approach targets biofilm on the surfaces of medical implants, which is a significant complication in surgeries like knee and hip replacements, as well as in trauma-related procedures involving plates and rods. The technology has the potential to replace the costly and risky two-step revision surgical procedure currently used to address chronic infections in medical implants, thereby offering a safer and more effective solution for patients.

Cassava Sciences, Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company based in Austin, Texas, focused on developing innovative treatments and diagnostic tools for nervous system disorders, particularly Alzheimer's disease. The company's lead therapeutic candidate, simufilam, is undergoing Phase 3 clinical trials to assess its efficacy in treating Alzheimer's disease dementia. Additionally, Cassava is advancing SavaDx, a blood-based diagnostic aimed at detecting Alzheimer's disease early, potentially years before symptoms manifest. Founded in 1998 and originally known as Pain Therapeutics, Inc., Cassava Sciences has shifted its focus to neuroscience, leveraging scientific insights to address the complex challenges associated with neurological conditions.

VenoStent, Inc. is a clinical-stage tissue engineering company based in Nashville, Tennessee, with an additional office in Houston, Texas. Founded in 2017, it specializes in the development of bioresorbable smart polymers designed to enhance vascular surgery outcomes. The company’s primary product, SelfWrap, is a perivascular wrap that functions as an external stent, providing mechanical support to veins and promoting outward growth. This innovative technology aims to reduce complications at the vein-artery junction in dialysis patients, particularly by minimizing vein collapse and improving the usability of arteriovenous fistulas (AVF). By utilizing a new class of shape-memory polymers that do not require sutures, VenoStent's approach reduces surgery time and lowers the risk of infection, ultimately enhancing the quality and length of life for patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing hemodialysis.

7 Hills Pharma LLC is a clinical-stage immuno-oncology company based in Houston, Texas, focused on developing innovative therapies for drug-resistant cancers. The company aims to enhance the effectiveness of existing treatments, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors and cell-based immunotherapies, particularly for solid tumors like lung and colon cancers, which have historically posed challenges in treatment. By leveraging cost-effective technologies that modulate the immune system, 7 Hills Pharma strives to improve the outcomes of immune checkpoint blockade, adoptive cell therapy, and cord blood transplants. Additionally, the company is committed to addressing orphan genetic diseases through its advancements in immunotherapy, providing researchers with access to safe and effective therapeutic options.

CerSci Therapeutics Inc., founded in 2015 and based in Dallas, Texas, develops non-opioid alternatives for managing acute post-operative and chronic neuropathic pain, including diabetic and chemotherapy-induced pain. The company's primary drug candidate, CT-044, is an orally bioavailable small molecule designed to decompose reactive species like peroxynitrite and hydrogen peroxide, targeting both post-operative and chronic pain indications in humans. In June 2019, CerSci received approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration to proceed with Phase I clinical trials for CT-044, marking a significant step in its development process. CerSci Therapeutics operates as a subsidiary of ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc.

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 Inc., founded in 2015 and based in Dallas, Texas, develops non-opioid alternatives for managing acute post-operative and chronic neuropathic pain, including diabetic and chemotherapy-induced pain. The company's primary drug candidate, CT-044, is an orally bioavailable small molecule designed to decompose reactive species like peroxynitrite and hydrogen peroxide, targeting both post-operative and chronic pain indications in humans. In June 2019, CerSci received approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration to proceed with Phase I clinical trials for CT-044, marking a significant step in its development process. CerSci Therapeutics operates as a subsidiary of ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Pulmotect, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing inhaled therapeutics aimed at preventing and treating respiratory infections, particularly in cancer patients with compromised immune systems. Founded in 2007 and headquartered in Houston, Texas, the company offers PUL-042, a clinical stage inhaled therapeutic that rapidly stimulates the innate immune system, providing immediate and effective protection against a wide range of pathogens, including bacterial pneumonia, influenza, and fungal pneumonia, as well as threats from Class A bioterror agents such as anthrax and plague. By enhancing the body’s natural defenses, Pulmotect's products aim to significantly reduce morbidity and mortality associated with severe respiratory diseases.

Cassava Sciences, Inc. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company based in Austin, Texas, focused on developing innovative treatments and diagnostic tools for nervous system disorders, particularly Alzheimer's disease. The company's lead therapeutic candidate, simufilam, is undergoing Phase 3 clinical trials to assess its efficacy in treating Alzheimer's disease dementia. Additionally, Cassava is advancing SavaDx, a blood-based diagnostic aimed at detecting Alzheimer's disease early, potentially years before symptoms manifest. Founded in 1998 and originally known as Pain Therapeutics, Inc., Cassava Sciences has shifted its focus to neuroscience, leveraging scientific insights to address the complex challenges associated with neurological conditions.

ZZ Biotech, LLC is a clinical-stage biotechnology company based in Houston, Texas, founded in 2006. The company specializes in developing innovative biological treatments aimed at addressing conditions affecting the aging and damaged brain, particularly ischemic stroke and other neurodegenerative disorders. ZZ Biotech's lead product, 3K3A-APC, is a genetically engineered variant of the naturally occurring activated Protein C (APC). This variant is designed to maintain the beneficial cytoprotective and anti-inflammatory properties of APC while significantly reducing its anticoagulant activity, which is associated with bleeding risks. Preclinical studies suggest that 3K3A-APC offers superior efficacy compared to wild-type APC. The company is currently conducting a multicenter Phase 2 clinical trial to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and effectiveness of 3K3A-APC in patients experiencing moderate to severe ischemic stroke, particularly in conjunction with treatments like tissue Plasminogen Activator (tPA) and mechanical thrombectomy. This research is supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health.

AquaMost, Inc. is a Madison, Wisconsin-based company specializing in chemical-free water treatment solutions. Its flagship product, the SX Reactor, employs a combination of onsite generation of chlorine, hydroxyl radicals, and ultraviolet irradiation to effectively eliminate bacteria from various water sources, achieving a kill rate of over 99%. This patented technology is particularly beneficial for the oil and gas industry, where it helps treat flowback and produced water, as well as in other sectors such as food and beverage, dairy, and drinking water treatment. AquaMost provides comprehensive services, including delivery, setup, and maintenance of its systems, which have been deployed in regions like Texas, Colorado, Utah, and Canada. Established in 2006, the company focuses on delivering innovative water purification solutions without the use of chemicals.

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.