BioNTX: Building Community
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As we approach the end of the year, it is an opportune time to reflect on the collective progress we have made and to recognize the importance of staying connected. The BioNTX newsletter is more than just a source of information—it is a vital tool for fostering collaboration, sharing breakthroughs, and celebrating the milestones that drive our community forward.
Why BioNTX Matters
- Amplifies Success Stories: We spotlight groundbreaking research, emerging companies, and transformative partnerships that demonstrate the region’s growing impact on the global stage.
- Keeps You Informed: From industry trends to upcoming events, our newsletter ensures you stay ahead of the curve in the ever-evolving life sciences landscape.
- Builds Community: It serves as a bridge, connecting individuals and organizations across the ecosystem to foster collaboration and shared innovation.
- Drives Awareness: Bringing focus to the issues that matter most to our community.
We encourage you to engage with the BioNTX newsletter: share your stories, celebrate your successes, and connect with others in our ecosystem. Together, we are building a stronger, more innovative future—one discovery at a time.
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Techstars Physical Health Fort Worth: Demo Day 2024
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The 2024 Techstars Physical Health Demo Day will be held in the Historic Stockyards of Fort Worth, showcasing the latest innovations in physical health. After three months of intense product development and mentorship, the founders are excited to present their groundbreaking solutions to key health challenges.
Attendees will have the chance to hear directly from the founders and connect with a vibrant community of mentors, investors, and the Techstars network.
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Celebrate the Season at BIO BREAK in Fort Worth!
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BioNTX is thrilled to announce the inaugural BIO BREAK in Fort Worth on December 10th, sponsored by RSM and Haynes and Boone. Join us as we celebrate the holiday season and raise a toast to a bright and successful new year.
As the year wraps up, take this opportunity to jingle and mingle with the North Texas bioscience and healthcare innovation community. BIO BREAK is the perfect chance to reconnect with colleagues, share ideas, and build new connections in the industry.
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Redefining Orthopedic Surgeries
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Osteal Therapeutics is dedicated to advancing targeted therapies for musculoskeletal infections, aiming to significantly reduce mortality, morbidity, and healthcare costs.
With a deep understanding of the patient journey and the priorities of orthopedic surgeons, the company’s clinical programs are designed to transform infection care. Osteal’s vision is to eliminate the burden of musculoskeletal infections—from patients’ lives, surgeons’ minds, and the global healthcare system—paving the way for a healthier future.
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Alloy Therapeutics Partners with Takeda to Advance iPSC-Derived CAR-T and CAR-NK Cell Therapies
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Alloy Therapeutics Inc. has announced a strategic collaboration and license agreement with Takeda Pharmaceutical Company to develop its iPSC-derived CAR-T and CAR-NK platforms. This partnership focuses on leveraging iCAR-T technology from the T-CiRA joint research program with Kyoto University's CiRA to create "off-the-shelf" cell therapies. These therapies aim to improve potency, reduce costs, and enhance access for treating both solid and hematological malignancies.
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Colossal Biosciences Donates to Support Avian Conservation Genomics at the University of Melbourne
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Colossal Biosciences has donated $1.5 million to the University of Melbourne to support Australian avian conservation genomics. The funding will help sequence high-quality reference genomes for endangered bird species and develop stem cell and gene-editing technologies to protect them. This initiative is crucial as over 200 Australian bird species are at risk of extinction, exacerbated by the 2019-20 bushfires that added 27 species to the threatened list.
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ImmuneSensor Therapeutics Receives FDA Orphan Drug and Rare Pediatric Disease Designations for IMSB301 in Aicardi Goutières Syndrome
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ImmuneSensor Therapeutics has received both Orphan Drug Designation (ODD) and Rare Pediatric Disease Designation (RPDD) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its lead drug candidate, IMSB301, aimed at treating Aicardi Goutières Syndrome (AGS), a rare disease driven by chronic activation of the cGAS pathway.
IMSB301, an orally available small molecule cGAS inhibitor, is also being developed for other inflammatory and autoimmune diseases like systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE). These designations provide the company with several regulatory benefits, including potential market exclusivity and a priority review voucher.
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Johnson & Johnson Seeks FDA Approval for TREMFYA® to Treat Pediatric Psoriasis and Arthritis
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Johnson & Johnson has taken a significant step in advancing pediatric care by submitting two supplemental Biologics License Applications (sBLAs) to the FDA for TREMFYA® (guselkumab).
The company is seeking approval to treat children with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis (PsO) and active juvenile psoriatic arthritis (jPsA). Backed by compelling data from the PROTOSTAR Phase 3 study and adult PsA trials, these submissions highlight TREMFYA®'s promising ability to target IL-23, a critical driver of both conditions.
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Lantern Pharma Secures Second FDA Fast Track Designation for LP-184 in 2024
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Lantern Pharma Inc. has received FDA Fast Track Designation for LP-184 in Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC), its second in 2024 after Glioblastoma. LP-184, now in Phase 1A trials, is being evaluated for safety across solid tumors, including TNBC. Lantern’s AI platform, RADR®, helped optimize LP-184, targeting aggressive cancers and specific patient populations. This designation highlights its potential to address critical unmet needs in TNBC.
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Scorpius Launches Scorpius Ventures
to Support Emerging Biotech
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Scorpius Holdings has launched Scorpius Ventures, a business unit offering U.S.-based onshoring services to emerging biotech companies. By combining service fees with equity investments, the unit lowers financial barriers and accelerates biotech advancements. Scorpius Ventures aligns with the BIOSECURE Act, focusing on U.S. manufacturing to enhance biosecurity and economic resilience while providing biotech companies with crucial resources for developing biologic therapies.
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Health Wildcatters Expands Office Space at
Pegasus Park to Support Healthcare Startups
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BioNTX, McDermott Will & Emery, and Deloitte hosted the final BIO BREAK happy hour of 2024 with Health Wildcatters. The event celebrated the accomplishments of the life sciences industry and the dynamic community driving its innovation while toasting to a successful year ahead.
Health Wildcatters, a health innovation incubator in Dallas, is expanding its office space at Pegasus Park by 2,800 square feet, bringing its total footprint to 9,000 square feet.
This growth supports its mission to empower healthcare startups by providing 14 new individual office spaces for lease to startups and ecosystem partners. Scheduled to open in Spring 2025, the expanded space will include dedicated offices, community areas, and a forthcoming initiative designed to facilitate investor meetings and strategic partnerships, helping startups advance from early development to market success.
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McMillan James Equipment Company Named a
Top Workplace for Fourth Consecutive Year
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McMillan James Equipment Company is a leading provider of equipment solutions and services, specializing in delivering innovative and reliable products to support various industries. For the fourth consecutive year, McMillan James Equipment Company has been named a Top Workplace! This recognition highlights the best businesses, people, and destinations across DFW, and the company is proud to be included alongside other exceptional workplaces.
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Shaping DeSoto’s Future as a Biotech Hub:
Matt Carlson’s Vision for Growth and Innovation
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In this episode Matt Carlson, MBA, CEcD, Executive Director of Economic Development for the City of DeSoto and CEO of the DeSoto Economic Development Corporation, discusses his vision for transforming DeSoto into a thriving biotech hub. He highlights the city's efforts to create a supportive "Live, Work, Play" ecosystem, attract biotech and life sciences companies, and foster collaboration between industry leaders, local businesses, and the community.
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Baylor University Launches Bioagriculture Initiative to Strengthen Food Security and Sustainability in Waco
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Baylor University is leading an initiative aimed at boosting food security, advancing sustainable agriculture, and enhancing climate resilience in Waco's underserved communities. In collaboration with local partners, Baylor will use an interdisciplinary approach to regenerate local food systems, reduce waste, and combat climate change.
The project will implement sustainable practices like composting and community gardening. These efforts aim to improve community health, reduce landfill emissions, and empower residents to take ownership of their local food systems.
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The Baylor Community Garden is central to Baylor’s sustainability efforts, partnering with underserved Waco communities for hands-on environmental education and service.
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Tarleton State University and Opal’s Farm Launch Urban Farming Program to Combat Food Insecurity and Health Disparities
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Tarleton State University has partnered with Opal’s Farm to offer Taste the C.U.R.E., a free six-month urban farming program aimed at addressing food insecurity and health disparities. The program equips participants with the skills to cultivate sustainable food systems through organic and regenerative farming.
Starting January 25, 2025, the initiative will provide hands-on education at Opal’s Farm and Tarleton’s Fort Worth campus, helping community members grow their own food, improve health, and combat chronic diseases. The first cohort will include 25 participants, with plans for broader community impact.
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UTA Student Earns Top Research Honors
for Cardiovascular Health Study
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Ken Perry, a senior at the University of Texas at Arlington, has received two awards from the American Physiological Society for his research on the effects of high-fat meals on cardiovascular health. Working with Professor R. Matthew Brothers, Perry’s findings highlight how high-fat meals can increase artery stiffness and damage brain blood vessels over time.
His research earned the Barbara A. Horwitz and John M. Horowitz Undergraduate Research Award and the Outstanding Undergraduate Research Abstract Award. After graduating in May 2025, Perry plans to study heart stents as part of a National Institutes of Health program before applying to graduate school.
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Ken Perry presenting his Capstone Research project at the Honors College Research Symposium in November 2024.
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UTD Study Uncovers How Childhood Stress Shrinks the Brain and Heightens Risk of Psychotic Experiences
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A study led by Dr. Katherine Damme at the University of Texas at Dallas reveals that childhood stress and adverse experiences (ACE) are linked to smaller hippocampal volume and an increased risk of psychotic-like experiences (PLE) in children.
The research suggests that early stress may be an early risk factor for psychosis. Using data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study, the team found that children with high ACE exposure and severe PLE had smaller hippocampi, while those with severe PLE but no ACE exposure had larger hippocampal volumes.
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UNTHSC Study Explores Alzheimer’s Biomarker
in Non-Hispanic Blacks
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A study led by Dr. Lubnaa Abdullah, ABPP, and colleagues from The University of North Texas Health Science Center has been published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease.
The research, the largest of its kind, investigates the plasma neurofilament light chain (NfL) as a biomarker for neurodegeneration in community-dwelling non-Hispanic Blacks. The study found that NfL levels were significantly associated with executive functioning, shedding light on its potential as an early indicator of cognitive decline. However, the study also emphasizes the variability of NfL’s role across different populations and cognitive outcomes, highlighting the need for precision diagnostics in Alzheimer’s research.
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Lubnaa Abdullah, PsyD, ABPP
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UTSW Expands Cancer Care with
New Fort Worth Facility
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UT Southwestern Medical Center is expanding its cancer care with a new Radiation Oncology campus in Fort Worth, set to open in 2028. The facility will feature the city’s first MRI-guided precision radiation treatment, along with advanced therapies like new linear accelerators and a PET scanner.
This expansion aims to meet the growing demand for local cancer care in Tarrant County. The campus will enhance UT Southwestern’s comprehensive cancer services, including the Moncrief Cancer Institute’s survivorship program, improving access to specialized treatment for the region.
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Unlock Exclusive BioNTX Member Discounts
on Biotech Primer’s On-Demand Courses
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BioNTX is excited to offer members exclusive discounts on Biotech Primer’s on-demand courses, covering essential topics in biopharmaceutical and medical device industries—from foundational science to commercialization and global regulatory processes.
Taught by industry veterans, these courses deliver practical insights and knowledge you can immediately apply. Select courses also offer NASBA-compliant CPE credits for added professional development. Learn at your own pace, on your own schedule, from anywhere.
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Accelerate Your Biotech Career with
LinkedIn Branding & Networking
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Join BioNTX for a webinar to learn innovative LinkedIn personal branding and networking strategies to land your dream job, C-suite role, consulting gig, or next internal promotion.
Gain valuable insights and practical advice to ensure your career success from a seasoned Executive Career Coach and an Executive Search professional.
"In order to be irreplaceable, one must always be different." ~ Coco Chanel, founder of Chanel
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FUNDING & MENTORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
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NIH Academic Research Enhancement Award (AREA) for Undergraduate-Focused Institutions
Program ends May 8, 2027
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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.
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Upcoming Events & Opportunities
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New Year, New Career: LinkedIn Playbook for Personal Branding & Networking
Join BioNTX to learn innovative LinkedIn personal branding and networking strategies to land your dream job, C-suite role, consulting gig, or next internal promotion. Gain valuable insights and practical advice to ensure your career success from a seasoned Executive Career Coach and an Executive Search professional.
December 10th | Virtual
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BIO BREAK: Fort Worth's Life Sciences Happy Hour
Start off the holiday season with the first BIO BREAK in Fort Worth, a relaxed and welcoming happy hour for the life science community. This event is the perfect opportunity to celebrate the season while building connections, catching up with familiar faces, and meeting new peers who share your passion for innovation. Whether you are looking to expand your network or simply unwind after a busy day, we would love to see you there!
December 10th | Fort Worth, TX
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Techstars Physical Health Demo Day
Join Techstars for their demo day as they showcase the 2024 cohort. After three months of rigorous product development, customer discovery, and mentorship, the 2024 Techstars Physical Health Fort Worth founders are eager to showcase their growth and development.Demo Day is your exclusive chance to witness firsthand the future of physical health innovation.
December 11th | Fort Worth, TX
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Investor Connect with Nextech Invest
Join Launch Bio and Silicon Valley Bank for a virtual event with Nextech, a global therapeutics-focused venture capital firm headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland with affiliate offices in Boston and San Francisco. They invest in companies developing promising therapeutics for oncology and oncology-adjacent disease areas. Apply for consideration.
December 12th | Virtual
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International Conference on Genetics and Genomics in Nursing and Health Care
Join ISER at the International Conference on Genetics and Genomics in Nursing and Health Care (ICGGNHC-24) in Dallas. This event will bring leading scientists, academicians, industry professionals, speakers, and experts on one platform. The informative discussions will highlight solutions, achievements, trending issues, and future strategies.
December 13th - 14th | Dallas, TX
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International Conference on Advances in Biotechnology, Chemistry, and Life Sciences
Join Science Leagues for their wide platform to share vital and recent innovations in the arena Advances in Biotechnology, Chemistry and Life Sciences. The conference has a wonderful space for both scientific presentations like oral, poster and a commercial exhibition.
December 27th - 28th | Dallas, TX
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Advanced Therapies Week
Join Phacilitate for their Advanced Therapies Week. This event has been the epicenter of the cell & gene therapy revolution. In this dynamic and must-attend forum, breakthrough technologies and impactful partnerships come to life to transform drug development.
January 20th - 23rd | Dallas, TX
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Women Driving Innovation
Join BioNTX in celebrating International Women’s Day as we honor the women shaping innovation. The Women Driving Innovation program highlights these trailblazers and offers a chance to connect with the leaders shaping the future of North Texas life sciences.
March 7th | Dallas, TX
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Thank you for your Membership & Support!
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