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The rapidly growing biotech ecosystem supporting innovation in Texas received national attention during a visit by the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) on Sept. 15-16.
Led by BIO President & CEO John F. Crowley, the BIO team engaged in discussions, presentations, and panels with leaders in the Texas life sciences sector in Houston and Dallas.
“Texas has all of the ingredients necessary to become a global leader in biotechnology: the people, the passion, the persistence, and the policies,” Crowley told his hosts.
Producing $95 billion in annual economic output, Texas’s biotech sector is bolstered by extraordinary academic resources and health care institutions—including more Tier 1 research universities than any other state and the world’s largest medical complex, Texas Medical Center.
“You’re looking at more than 100,000 jobs in biotechnology across the state of Texas, an industry growing here in Texas at more than 20%,” Crowley said in an interview on WBAP’s Morning News in Dallas Podcast.
BIO’s visit was part of the BIO on the American Road series, visits around the country to learn more about needs and unique features of the country’s biotech ecosystems. There was a lot to learn in Texas.
Site tour and workshop in Houston
BIO’s first stop in Houston was the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, which sees a world-beating 1.6 million cancer patient visits per year and is recognized as a leader in treatment and research. The center also conducts one of the world’s largest clinical trials programs, offering thousands of clinical trials covering prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship.
Crowley noted that BIO is working on re-imagining the clinical trial process, adding that Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Marty Makaray, MD is a partner in that process.
Crowley’s next stop was a meeting with Rice University president Reginald DesRoches at the Rice University Campus.
“Leading a research university in Houston is both a privilege and an incredible advantage,” DesRoches said. “The scale of the city and breadth of its industries—from energy and medicine to aerospace and technology—provide unparalleled opportunities to collaborate and make an impact. Houston’s diversity and dynamism make it an ideal place for biotech innovation to thrive.”
Crowley joined Rice leaders and representatives from the Texas Medical Center’s leading clinical institutions at TMC Helix Park, a center for biomedical innovation, to engage in a workshop titled “Enhancing U.S. Biotechnology Security within the Houston Medical Ecosystem.” The session spotlighted Houston’s growing capacity in translational research, cell and gene therapy, and biomanufacturing.
“With world-class academic and clinical institutions, visionary policymakers, and strategic entrepreneurs, leaders in Houston and throughout the state have put Texas at the forefront of the biotechnology revolution, and patients in the U.S. and around the world stand to benefit,” Crowley said.
Workshop participants noted the importance of coupling engineering strengths with biomedical innovation and discussed ways to ensure the U.S. can maintain its global biotech leadership. Topics ranged from reimagining the clinical trial paradigm and developing centers of excellence in biomanufacturing to strengthening the region’s access to venture capital and experienced leadership.
The workshop was convened by Paul Wotton, executive director of the Rice Biotech Launch Pad and managing partner of RBL LLC—a new biotech venture creation studio that works with Rice and other affiliated institutions to give early-stage support for promising innovations.
“Houston has all the elements for a world-class biotech hub—from the largest medical center in the world to the research strengths at Rice,” Wotton said. “The opportunity is to connect those assets more directly with capital, leadership talent, and clinical infrastructure so companies can scale faster.”
Omid Veiseh, Rice professor of bioengineering, director of the Rice Biotech Launch Pad, and a Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas Scholar, said that “having BIO’s leadership on the ground underscores that Houston belongs at the center of the national conversation on biotechnology security and growth.”
iC3 Innovation Summit in Dallas
BIO’s visit to Dallas saw Crowley participating in the BioNTX iC³® Life Science & Healthcare Innovation Summit, the premier annual event for North Texas. Crowley received the Dennis K. Stone Award, BioNTX’s highest recognition, at the summit.
Named in honor of the late Dr. Dennis K. Stone, a pioneering physician, researcher, and advocate for innovation in Texas, the award is presented annually to an individual whose career embodies scientific excellence, visionary leadership, and a commitment to advancing human health.
“To be recognized in Dr. Stone’s name is an incredible honor, and I share this recognition with the countless innovators and patient advocates who drive progress every day,” Crowley said when the award was announced. “Together, we are pursuing cures and treatments that will improve the lives of patients and people around the world—and doing so with the same passion for discovery and science that Dr. Stone exhibited throughout his career.”
Crowley joined fellow biotech leaders on a panel, highlighting how Texas’ biotech ecosystem has the right mix of people, passion, and policy to drive growth and strengthen the state’s leadership. In another panel, he discussed biosecurity.
The Dallas visit also featured a patient advocacy luncheon focused on how companies can advance patient-centered innovation. One local advocate, Dr. Diana Castro, enables patient-centric research by offering financial assistance for treatment at her Neurology & Neuromuscular Care Center and enabling patients to benefit from clinical trials at her Neurology Rare Disease Center.
Dr. Castro has praised the opportunities offered through the networks created by organizations like BIO and BioNTX. “I’m excited because I’m sure there are many things that are done already that I don’t have to redo. This is going to be a great opportunity to advance our work.”
Pictured at top: BIO President & CEO John F. Crowley speaks on a panel at the iC³® Life Science & Healthcare Innovation Summit in Dallas.
