NORTH TEXAS POLICY INTERESTS
|
One Week Left — Make Brain Health Part of Your Vote
|
Early voting is underway across Texas, and for the first time, the future of brain health research and innovation is directly on the ballot. Proposition 14 represents a defining opportunity to strengthen the state’s leadership in dementia prevention, research, and treatment — with far-reaching implications for families, caregivers, and the broader life science community.
Every day, millions of Texans are touched by Alzheimer’s, dementia, PTSD, and other brain health challenges. These conditions do not just impact individuals, they affect caregivers, employers, healthcare systems, and the economic vitality of our state. By understanding and participating in this moment, Texans can help shape a future where research, innovation, and compassionate care drive progress.
At BioNTX, we see Proposition 14 as part of a broader movement — one that connects science and community, discovery and quality of life. Whether you are a researcher, entrepreneur, clinician, or family member, the outcomes of this vote will influence the resources, collaborations, and innovations that define Texas’s next decade in life sciences.
Make time to learn more before you vote.
Understand what Proposition 14 means for our state’s research ecosystem, the families it affects, and the generations it could impact.
|
- Early Voting: October 20–31
- Election Day: Tuesday, November 4, 2025
Your participation is part of the statewide conversation — one that links innovation to health, and awareness to action.
|
North Texas Takes Center Stage in
Global Manufacturing with AstraZeneca Growth
|
Senator Parker shares remarks at the AstraZeneca opening, celebrating Texas’s growing leadership in life science innovation.
|
AstraZeneca has marked a major milestone for North Texas’ life sciences ecosystem with the expansion of its Coppell manufacturing facility — doubling production capacity for Lokelma, a treatment distributed to more than 50 countries worldwide.
The expansion adds new state-of-the-art manufacturing lines, advanced laboratory and warehouse capabilities, and new high-quality jobs, reinforcing North Texas as a rising powerhouse for global biopharmaceutical production and innovation.
At the unveiling, AstraZeneca’s STEM partner Learning Undefeated brought its Breakout Box: Manufacturing Mission to the celebration, offering local students a hands-on introduction to the world of manufacturing, robotics, and scientific discovery, a powerful reminder that today’s investments are shaping tomorrow’s innovators.
This expansion reflects both AstraZeneca’s long-term commitment to the region and the growing global relevance of Texas as a center for advanced life science manufacturing.
|
Strengthening North Texas Life Sciences and Workforce
November 4, 2025
|
BHIANT is building a platform for collaboration, innovation, and action to grow the North Texas life sciences ecosystem. Join the Q4 Quarterly Meeting to connect with corporate and industry partners, exchange insights, engage with public leaders, and help shape the agenda for 2026.
Your voice matters! Do not miss this opportunity to drive collaboration and innovation in the region.
|
Year-End Celebration & Networking
with BioNTX Facilities Committee
November 5, 2025
|
Join the BioNTX Facilities Advisory Committee for an evening of networking and refreshments. Engage with like-minded industry professionals and the BioNTX team as we all work together to lift up the life science industry in North Texas.
|
BIO BREAK is Back and Expanding
|
BIO BREAK is your chance to network across North Texas. From Dallas to Fort Worth to Frisco, connect with peers, share insights, and build relationships that strengthen the life science and healthcare community. Do not miss the opportunity to expand your network and spark new collaborations.
|
DALLAS
November 20, 2025
Pegasus Park
|
FRISCO
December 8, 2025
Sidecar Social
|
FORT WORTH
December 10, 2025
The Holly
|
Empowering Life Science Innovators with
End-to-End Biomanufacturing Solutions
|
Scorpius BioManufacturing is a CDMO specializing in mammalian, microbial, and cell therapy production. Headquartered in San Antonio, the company provides biologics manufacturing, analytical, and R&D services that help pharmaceutical and biotech partners advance discoveries and deliver new therapies faster. Using American-made equipment, reagents, and materials, Scorpius integrates process development, cGMP manufacturing, and quality testing to streamline the path from pre-clinical studies to commercialization.
|
Aakha Biologics Partners with March Biosciences
to Advance Cancer Therapies
|
Aakha Biologics, a biotechnology company developing multi-specific antibodies for cancer and autoimmune diseases, has licensed one of its proprietary antibodies to March Biosciences, a clinical-stage company focused on cancers resistant to current immunotherapies. The collaboration leverages Aakha’s de novo antibody sequence to accelerate the development of innovative therapies for patients with unmet medical needs.
|
Alloy Therapeutics Expands Into Drug Development
with Spannerwerks Acquisition
|
Alloy Therapeutics, a biotechnology ecosystem company focused on democratizing access to drug discovery technologies, has acquired Spannerwerks, a Seattle-based consulting firm that supports biopharma companies through product development and launch.
The acquisition expands Alloy’s capabilities beyond discovery and into drug development, enhancing its ability to help partners advance programs efficiently from research to clinical milestones. With this addition, Alloy strengthens its presence in the Pacific Northwest and deepens its commitment to supporting biotech innovators across the entire R&D lifecycle.
|
CAGE Bio Launches Clinical Trial of First-in-Class
DNA Aptamer Therapy for Vitiligo
|
CAGE Bio Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing innovative immunomodulatory therapies for skin diseases, has initiated a randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled clinical trial of CGB-600, its proprietary DNA Aptamer therapy for vitiligo. Licensed from TAGCyx Biotechnologies in Japan, CGB-600 is a first-in-class molecule engineered to selectively bind to interferon gamma and reduce autoimmune-driven melanocyte destruction. By precisely modulating immune pathways, the therapy aims to promote lasting re-pigmentation with fewer side effects than current treatments.
|
Island Pharmaceuticals Advances Galidesivir for Marburg Virus
|
Island Pharmaceuticals is advancing Galidesivir, a broad-spectrum antiviral for deadly RNA viruses like Marburg, Ebola, and Zika. The company is working with the U.S. FDA under the Animal Rule, which allows approval based on animal studies when human trials would be unethical. Island has asked the FDA for guidance on the pathway, Priority Review Voucher eligibility, and design of the next animal study, with a response expected next month. Galidesivir could become a vital tool in combating lethal viral outbreaks.
|
Lantern Pharma Presents LP-284
Complete Response Data at 25th LL&M Congress
|
Lantern Pharma Inc. reported new data from its ongoing Phase 1 trial of LP-284, presented at the 25th Annual Lymphoma, Leukemia & Myeloma (LL&M) Congress in New York City. A 41-year-old patient with aggressive, treatment-resistant diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) achieved a confirmed complete metabolic response after just two 28-day cycles of LP-284.
The patient had progressed through four prior therapies, including CAR-T and bispecific antibody treatments. LP-284’s novel mechanism, which targets DNA repair deficiencies via transcription-coupled nucleotide excision repair (TC-NER), showed activity independent of TP53 mutation status or surface antigen expression—highlighting its potential to address a key post-immunotherapy treatment gap.
|
Nanoscope Therapeutics Delivers Lasting Vision
Restoration with MCO-010
|
Dallas-based Nanoscope Therapeutics, a biotech focused on restoring vision in retinal degenerative diseases, announced three-year REMAIN study results showing sustained improvement in patients with retinitis pigmentosa. Following a single injection of MCO-010, patients gained an average of three lines of vision with no serious ocular adverse events.
The one-time optogenetic therapy is advancing through a rolling FDA BLA and carries Fast Track and Orphan Drug designations, positioning it as a potential first-in-class treatment for retinal degeneration.
|
Spark Biomedical Shows Wearable Neurostimulation
Reduces Heavy Menstrual Bleeding
|
Spark Biomedical, parent company of women’s wellness division OhmBody, published the first peer-reviewed human trial evaluating transcutaneous auricular neurostimulation (tAN) for menstrual health in Frontiers in Medicine. The pilot study of 16 participants—including women with von Willebrand Disease—showed that daily use of OhmBody’s wearable tAN device reduced menstrual blood loss by over 50% and shortened periods by nearly 20%, while improving cramping, fatigue, and quality of life.
|
Avantor and BlueWhale Bio Partner to
Accelerate CAR-T Manufacturing
|
Avantor, Inc. and BlueWhale Bio have formed a strategic partnership to advance CAR-T manufacturing using BlueWhale’s Synecta™ cell-derived nanoparticle (CDNP) platform, which mimics natural T-cell activation. The collaboration aims to scale GMP-grade CDNP materials, reduce CAR-T expansion time, and improve patient access.
Combining Avantor’s bioprocessing expertise with BlueWhale’s next-generation activation and expansion technology, the partnership targets faster, higher-yield CAR-T production with reduced variability. Preclinical and clinical data suggest earlier cell division, higher cell yields, and fewer process interventions, including use in a 3-day CAR-T manufacturing trial.
|
Ecolab and CBRE Partner to Drive
Water Efficiency in Commercial Buildings
|
Ecolab is partnering with CBRE, the world’s largest commercial real estate services firm, to help clients improve water efficiency, quality, and sustainability across nearly 8 billion square feet of managed properties. Together, they aim to reduce water use, cut costs, and enhance operational performance in water-intensive industries like data centers, life sciences, and advanced manufacturing.
The partnership combines Ecolab’s proprietary water technologies with CBRE’s integrated real estate solutions, offering a holistic approach to water management that supports climate resilience, energy conservation, and measurable business impact.
|
RSM Recognized for Rapid Growth in Technology Consulting
|
RSM US LLP has been named to the 2025 CRN Fast Growth 150 list for the fifth time, highlighting North America’s fastest-growing technology solution providers. The recognition reflects RSM’s strong performance in areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and cloud modernization.
By combining deep industry expertise with advanced technology solutions, RSM helps middle market clients navigate digital transformation, unlock growth opportunities, and scale with confidence. The award underscores the firm’s commitment to innovation and delivering measurable results for clients in a rapidly evolving IT landscape.
|
Sampled Partners with AutoGen to Enhance Nucleic Acid Extraction and Molecular Analysis
|
Sampled, a fully integrated analytical laboratory and biorepository, has partnered with AutoGen to provide advanced nucleic acid extraction and comprehensive molecular and cellular analysis services for the biomedical sector.
The collaboration combines AutoGen’s specialized extraction capabilities with Sampled’s suite of downstream molecular workflows, including next-generation sequencing, spatial genomics, iPSC generation, and histology. This integrated approach enables researchers to derive high-quality DNA and RNA from a single sample while gaining broader molecular and cellular insights, improving reliability and efficiency in complex biomedical research projects.
|
Sheppard Mullin Lawyers Highlighted as Leaders
in Life Sciences Law by LMG 2025
|
Congratulations to Dominick DiSabatino, JD (left) and Scott Liebman, JD (right)
|
LMG Life Sciences has released its 2025 guide identifying leading U.S. law firms and individuals in the life sciences sector. Sheppard Mullin attorneys received recognition across areas including intellectual property, FDA pharmaceutical and medical device law, corporate law, and patent strategy.
|
Dallas College Receives HRSA Grant to Support Nursing Students
|
Dallas College’s School of Health Sciences has received a U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) grant to support nursing students and strengthen the local health care workforce. Over the next four years, the funding will provide scholarships, stipends, and resources such as laptops, exam prep, licensure materials, and faculty professional development. The initiative aims to increase access and success for students pursuing Associate of Applied Science or RN-to-BSN degrees while helping meet North Texas’ growing demand for qualified nurses.
|
UTA Research Seeks to Extend Fertility Beyond Biological Age
|
Salman Sohrabi, Ph.D., assistant professor of bioengineering at the University of Texas at Arlington, is studying how reproductive aging can be separated from overall lifespan to help older women conceive. Using transparent C. elegans worms, his research tracks egg quality and reproductive decline, mirroring human fertility aging.
Backed by a NIH grant, Sohrabi is developing automated tools to observe and analyze the worms, aiming to uncover the mechanisms that preserve egg viability and reduce age-related pregnancy risks, potentially paving the way for new fertility interventions.
|
UTSW’s David Sanders Wins NIH New Innovator Award
|
David Sanders, Ph.D., Assistant Professor at UT Southwestern Medical Center, has received the NIH Director’s New Innovator Award for his research on biomolecular condensates—liquidlike structures that help regulate mRNA in cells.
His work focuses on how nuclear speckles and stress granules maintain mRNA integrity, shedding light on neurodegenerative and neuromuscular diseases such as ALS. Dr. Sanders joined UT Southwestern in 2023 and is a member of the Peter O’Donnell Jr. Brain Institute.
|
FUNDING & MENTORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
|
ARPA-H THRIVE
Application closes October 31, 2025
|
THRIVE aims to make personalized and affordable cures available to all rare disease patients. The program intends to develop pioneering integrated platform technologies to accelerate precision genetic medicines (PGMs) and provide single-intervention precision treatments to slow, reverse, or prevent chronic diseases at the genetic level. THRIVE is designed to optimize affordability, scalability, and sustainability of lifesaving PGMs for patients through existing regional treatment centers and virtual clinics. This will allow patients to be seen and treated where they live.
|
CPRIT High-Impact/ High-Risk Research Awards
Application closes December 2, 2025
|
The High-Impact/High-Risk Research Award (HIHRA) supports research that explore the feasibility of high-risk projects that, if successful, would contribute to major new insights into the etiology, diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of cancers.
Using this mechanism, the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) intends to support innovative, developmental projects that focus on exceptionally promising topics that are not yet sufficiently mature to compete successfully for more conventional funding.
The HIHRA is expected to provide the foundation and preliminary data for individual or multiple investigator peer-reviewed awards.
|
Fueling the Next Generation of Health Innovators
Application closes March 6, 2026
|
The One Health Incubator is a dynamic partnership between the Innovation Hub and the Health Sciences Center, created to support researchers and technology startups in the life sciences sector. This collaborative platform combines institutional expertise to offer an ecosystem of incubation, mentorship, and strategic connections—tailored specifically for life science innovators.
Startups and researchers benefit from access to state-of-the-art facilities, specialized resources, and guidance from industry experts. The incubator helps accelerate the development and commercialization of innovative healthcare solutions while fostering valuable relationships with potential partners, investors, and mentors.
|
NIH Academic Research Enhancement Award (AREA) for Undergraduate-Focused Institutions
Program ends January 8, 2027
|
The purpose of this Academic Research Enhancement Award (AREA) for Undergraduate-Focused Institutions is to support small scale research grants at institutions that do not receive substantial funding from the NIH, with an emphasis on providing biomedical research experiences primarily for undergraduate students, and enhancing the research environment at applicant institutions.
|
Upcoming Events & Opportunities
|
Q4 2025 BHIANT Quarterly Meeting
Join the BHIANT for their fourth quarterly meeting of 2025. Meet with other industry leaders and collaborate to tackle pressing challenges, redefine shared goals, and strengthen the biotech and healthcare ecosystem across North Texas.
November 4th | Dallas, TX
|
BioHouston Breakfast Forum: Resonating Pitch
Join BioHouston for a Breakfast Forum where the topic will be 'Developing a Business Plan – and Pitch – that Resonates with Investors'.
November 5th | Houston, TX
|
Presents
The Fall Classic
Join the BioNTX Facilities Committee for an evening of networking and refreshments. Engage with like-minded industry professionals and the BioNTX team as we all work together to lift up the life science industry in North Texas.
November 5th | Irving, TX
|
Innovate '25: DFW Setting the Pace
Join MassChallenge for a premier symposium where decision makers and disruptors connect to explore transformative ideas, forge strategic partnerships, and shape market-changing opportunities.
November 6th | Dallas, TX
|
BioBash™ Life Science Networking Event
Join BioAustinCTX for an exclusive tour of a cutting-edge life science facility before it officially opens, hear from influential leaders in the life sciences and innovation ecosystem, and connect with peers, innovators, and decision-makers from across the Central Texas biotech community.
November 6th | Austin, TX
|
An Evening with DocStars 2025
Join The Cary Council for An Evening with DocStars 2025, where they shine a light on groundbreaking early-stage research and the power of community support. This inspiring event fuels the future of medicine at UTSW.
November 6th | Dallas, TX
|
Texas Life Science Forum
Join Rice Alliance and BioHouston for the Texas Life Science Forum, which brings together members from industry, emerging life science companies, academic, and investors.
November 11th | Houston, TX
|
eosera® Foundation Pitch Competition
Join eosera at the 2025 eosera® Foundation Pitch Competition to hear aspiring entrepreneurs pitch their groundbreaking concepts to a panel of judges.
November 13th | Fort Worth, TX
|
Thank you for your Membership & Support!
"Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished."
- Lao Tzu
|
|
