Texas Innovation at Work: Secretome Therapeutics
Achieves Major Clinical Milestone
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At BioNTX, we are committed to showcasing the groundbreaking innovation and momentum within our North Texas life sciences ecosystem. A shining example of this progress is Secretome Therapeutics, which has officially dosed the first patient in its Phase 1 clinical study of STM-01—a pioneering therapy for Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF).
This milestone not only highlights the cutting-edge research emerging from our region but also reinforces the importance of continued collaboration, investment, and advocacy to accelerate life-saving innovations. Stay tuned as we continue to spotlight advancements that shape the future of healthcare!
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BioNTX in Action: Supporting Patient Centered Bills
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It’s not too late to be part of the action!
Join BioNTX on Thursday, April 10 for our Awareness Day at the Texas Capitol—a day dedicated to highlighting the impact of bioscience innovation on patient outcomes and healthcare in Texas. This trip is an opportunity to engage with North Texas policymakers and bring awareness to key 89th Texas Legislative Session priorities that shape the future of our industry.
Contact us for more information.
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The 2025 BioNTX HR Forum & Career Expo
Connecting Employers & Job Seekers
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Calling all Employers in the North Texas bioscience & healthcare Innovation industry. The annual Career Expo & HR Forum is a premier event designed to bridge the gap between biotech talent and industry employers. Taking place on March 27th, this Forum provides HR professionals insights into workforce trends, talent acquisition strategies, and the evolving biotech job market. The day also provides opportunities to meet highly skilled professionals seeking employment in leading sciences companies. Whether you're seeking top talent, looking for a chance to network with colleagues in the industry or your next career move, this event is a must-attend for the North Texas biotech community.
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2025 Cook Children's Research Symposium:
Advancing Pediatric Innovations in Fort Worth
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Dr. William Stigall, Chief Research Officer, Cook Children's
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Mary Butler, Marty Norman, Jim Norman and Luke Hamilton
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The 2025 Cook Children’s Research Symposium highlighted cutting-edge pediatric research and advancements in neuroimaging, precision medicine, and healthcare partnerships. The event provided an insightful exploration of the latest breakthroughs while addressing key challenges in pediatric healthcare. BioNTX was proud to be part of this important event and contribute to efforts to improve patient care and outcomes in pediatric medicine.
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Texas Senate Passes Bill for
Dementia Prevention Research Institute of Texas
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The Texas Senate passed a bill to create the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (DPRIT), aimed at making Texas the leading center for dementia research. The bill proposes a $3 billion investment to attract top experts in dementia research, modeled after the success of the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT). It will fund research into dementia causes, prevention, and treatment.
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Discover Waco’s Thriving Life Science Industry with BioNTX
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Join BioNTX on April 17th for an exclusive tour of the Baylor Research and Innovation Collaborative (BRIC) and insightful panel discussions on the rapid growth of Waco’s life science industry. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with industry leaders and explore the innovation driving the region forward!
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University of Texas - Tyler
Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Building
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Join BioNTX on May 20th in Tyler, TX, for the second annual symposium focused on Building a Life Science Entrepreneurial Ecosystem. This event will highlight groundbreaking biomedical research and address crucial topics, including intellectual property, funding strategies, and entrepreneurial success. Attendees will gain valuable insights into the growth of the region’s life science industry and its role in shaping the future of healthcare and innovation.
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Cure Mito Foundation: What is Leigh Syndrome?
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Important collaboration and innovation in rare disease research is happening right here in North Texas, driven by the commitment of BioNTX members. This year, at iC³ we are emphasizing the transformative potential of AI and emerging technologies to accelerate drug discovery and enhance patient outcomes.
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Finding the Right Talent, Faster
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In today’s competitive job market, finding top talent isn’t just about filling roles—it’s about securing the right people to drive success. That’s where TSP Talent Solutions excels.
With a people-first approach, TSP goes beyond traditional recruiting, leveraging deep industry expertise and cutting-edge strategies to connect businesses with skilled professionals who align with their culture and goals. Whether it’s direct hire, contract staffing, or executive search, TSP streamlines the hiring process, delivering high-quality candidates quickly and efficiently.
Backed by decades of experience, TSP Talent Solutions is helping companies build strong, dynamic teams that fuel innovation and growth.
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Secretome Granted FDA Fast Track Designation for
Neonatal Cardiac Progenitor Cell Therapy
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Secretome Therapeutics, a leader in regenerative medicine, announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Fast Track designation to STM-01, its neonatal cardiac progenitor cell (nCPC) therapy, for treating Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF).
HFpEF is a challenging condition affecting millions globally, characterized by impaired heart relaxation and high left ventricular filling pressure, despite a normal or near-normal ejection fraction. With limited effective treatments available, HFpEF remains a significant unmet need in cardiovascular healthcare.
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Spark Biomedical Receives
Health Canada Approval for Sparrow Ascent
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Spark Biomedical, a leader in wearable neurostimulation technology, has received Health Canada’s Medical Device License for Sparrow Ascent™, its FDA-cleared, drug-free neurostimulation device for opioid withdrawal, expanding access to safe, non-invasive treatment across Canada. Safe Science Solutions will serve as the exclusive distributor.
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WuXi AppTec Named 2025 ESG Top-Rated Company
for Third Consecutive Year
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WuXi AppTec, a global leader in R&D and manufacturing services for the pharmaceutical and life sciences industries, has been named a 2025 Industry and Regional ESG Top-Rated Company by Morningstar Sustainalytics, ranking in the top 1% of the pharmaceutical sector. This marks the third consecutive year the company has earned these prestigious distinctions, reflecting its commitment to strong Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices.
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Deloitte and Phenom Announce Strategic Alliance to
Transform Talent Acquisition and Management
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Deloitte has announced a strategic alliance with Phenom, an AI-driven human resources company, at the flagship IAMPHENOM event. This partnership combines Deloitte’s Human Capital expertise with Phenom’s intelligent talent experience platform to help organizations optimize talent acquisition and management. The alliance will empower businesses to unlock workforce potential, drive sustainable growth, and prepare for the future of work by leveraging AI and automation. Deloitte’s team will provide advisory, implementation, and managed services to maximize the value of Phenom’s platform and support the development of future-ready workforces.
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DFW Airport Earns Third Consecutive ASQ Award for
Exceptional Customer Service
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Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) has been recognized with the 2024 Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Airport Experience Award for the third consecutive year in the large airport category, for airports serving over 40 million passengers annually. The award is based on third-party customer survey responses, assessing more than 30 key performance indicators across areas such as wayfinding, cleanliness, check-in processes, and shopping and dining offerings. This continued recognition highlights DFW's commitment to providing outstanding service through investments in innovation, infrastructure, and customer experience.
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EY Launches Telecom.ai to Streamline Telecom Operations
with AI-Powered Contract Management
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EY has launched Telecom.ai, an AI-powered solution designed to streamline telecom operations across finance, network management, customer service, and content lifecycle. Built on NVIDIA AI Enterprise, Telecom.ai includes the Contract Intelligence (CI) agent, which automates contract analysis for telecom providers, saving time and reducing risks. The CI agent helps providers manage complex vendor contracts more efficiently, offering real-time insights, improved compliance, and enhanced financial forecasting. With features like automated contract analysis, vendor performance tracking, and scenario planning, Telecom.ai empowers telecom companies to make smarter decisions and drive cost savings.
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Frisco Launches First-Ever Venture Capitalist in Residence
Program to Boost Innovation
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The Frisco Economic Development Corporation (FEDC) has announced the launch of its first-ever Venture Capitalist in-Residence (VCiR) program, aimed at connecting tech startups with funding sources and positioning Frisco as a venture capital hub. Jon Nordby, managing partner at Anthropy Partners, an early-stage venture capital firm, has been selected for the role.
As Frisco's 2025 VCiR, Nordby will focus on building partnerships, representing the city at investor events, and supporting local corporate innovation. With Frisco's fast-growing startup ecosystem, the VCiR program aligns with the city's goal of becoming the capital of venture capital in the central U.S. by 2040.
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Health Wildcatters Expands to Offer New
Leasing Opportunities for Healthcare Innovators
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Health Wildcatters is creating a dynamic hub designed to foster collaboration and innovation within the healthcare sector, which will bring together health startups, investors, and industry leaders, offering an ideal environment for growth and impact. Health Wildcatters is now leasing office and desk spaces, offering flexible options for startups, investors, and industry professionals to thrive and innovate within the healthcare sector.
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HKS Wins Three 2025 Evidence-Based
Design Touchstone Gold Awards
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HKS has earned three 2025 Evidence-Based Design Touchstone Gold Awards from the Center for Health Design, recognizing excellence in research-driven design strategies. The awards honor HKS' commitment to creating healthcare environments that enhance patient care, optimize efficiency, and improve staff experience. These projects demonstrate HKS’ leadership in evidence-based design, showcasing how research and innovation can transform healthcare spaces to better serve patients, staff, and communities.
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McMillan James Equipment Company Partners with AIIR
to Transform HVAC Solutions in Texas
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McMillan James Equipment Company, a leader in the Commercial HVAC industry, has partnered with AIIR, a provider of AI-powered heating and cooling solutions, to introduce the AIIR Intelligent HVAC system to Texas. This innovative system offers over 30% greater energy efficiency compared to traditional systems, using advanced machine learning to optimize comfort and performance in real-time. This partnership will accelerate the deployment of AIIR’s AI-driven HVAC systems across Texas, providing smarter, energy-efficient climate control solutions for residents and setting a new standard in residential HVAC technology.
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Morgan Stanley GIFT Cures Wins Synergy for Change Award
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At the 2024 Donor Advised Funds (DAF) Giving Summit in Nashville, Morgan Stanley GIFT Cures, powered by Harrington Discovery Institute, received the Synergy for Change Award. This honor recognizes impactful partnerships between for-profits and charities that drive meaningful change.
Launched in 2019, Morgan Stanley GIFT Cures enables philanthropists to accelerate treatments for Alzheimer’s, cancer, rare diseases, and more. By combining resources, donors amplify their impact, bringing life-changing therapies to market faster.
The DAF Giving Summit celebrates innovation in philanthropy, highlighting collaborations that transform charitable giving and advance medical breakthroughs.
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Panthera Boasts in-House Training
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Cofounders of Panthera, Jason Mastoris & Hardik Patel posing with cohort three
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Cofounders of Panthera, Jason Mastoris & Hardik Patel posing with cohort four
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Panthera BioSolutions has announced the completion of cohorts three and four of their Pharmaceutical cGMP Fundamentals training program. This training initiative features interactive hands-on training focused on active participation and practical experience to strengthen knowledge and skills, followed by competency assessments. It engages learners through activities, simulations, demonstrations, and real-world applications of concepts.
In the pharmaceutical industry, this type of training is especially valuable for tasks that demand manual dexterity, critical thinking, and adherence to good manufacturing practices.
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UNT Health Study Addresses Lack of Diversity
in Alzheimer’s Research
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Alzheimer’s research faces a lack of diversity, with Black and Hispanic individuals, who are disproportionately affected, making up just 5% of clinical trial participants. Dr. Sid O’Bryant, principal investigator of the Health and Aging Brain Study-Health Disparities (HABS-HD), is working to address this with over 5,000 participants.
O’Bryant discussed how disparities in recruitment and healthcare access affect research. He shared findings from the AHEAD Study showing fewer Black participants with brain amyloid, challenging current Alzheimer’s models, which are largely based on white participants.
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UTA Professor Wins 2025 Hill Prize in Physical Sciences
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Dr. J. Ping Liu, a physics professor at the University of Texas at Arlington, has been awarded the 2025 Hill Prize in Physical Sciences for his pioneering research on magnets that eliminate the need for rare-earth elements. The award, presented by TAMEST and Lyda Hill Philanthropies, recognizes Liu’s efforts to create more sustainable, efficient magnets for high-tech devices.
Liu shares the prize with UT Austin’s James Chelikowsky. The team will use AI and quantum simulations to develop magnets from more abundant, environmentally friendly materials, advancing U.S. energy security and sustainability.
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UTSW Researchers Develop “Self-Driving” Microscope
for Advancing Bioimaging
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(from left to right) Reto Fiolka, PhD, and Stephan Daetwyler, PhD
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UT Southwestern researchers have developed a “self-driving” microscope that overcomes key challenges in imaging living cells at different scales and tracking structures over time. Co-led by Dr. Reto Fiolka and Dr. Stephan Daetwyler, the team combined low- and high-resolution light-sheet microscopy with custom software to enable seamless switching between modes.
The microscope also autonomously follows regions of interest, eliminating the need for manual adjustments. This technology has already provided new insights into cancer cell interactions in zebrafish larvae.
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Exclusive Deal on Cell & Gene Therapy
Courses for BioNTX Members
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Biotech Primer is offering a Buy 1 Get 1 Free deal on their Cell & Gene Therapy Primer classes exclusively for BioNTX members!
- Cell Therapy Primer: Gain a comprehensive introduction to cell therapy development, manufacturing, and commercialization. Explore the scientific benefits and challenges of autologous and allogeneic cell therapies.
- Gene Therapy Primer: Dive into the scientific principles and regulatory intricacies of DNA manipulation to treat rare diseases. Learn about viral vectors, and discover how to select the perfect vector for each unique application.
The deal ends on April 1, 2025
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FUNDING & MENTORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
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Golden Ticket | North Texas 2025
Application Due March 31, 2025
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Ignite’s Golden Ticket Programs seek to discover visionary female founders developing novel solutions that transform healthcare in regions across the country. Their North Texas program focuses on dual objectives of discovering and advancing healthcare innovators and identifying partners who will provide resources, in cities including Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington, El Paso, Austin, and neighboring states of Louisiana, Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Arkansas. The top three finalists, selected by a panel of distinguished judges, will be awarded the Golden Ticket—securing direct entry into Ignite’s Annual Accelerator Program.
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Morgan Stanley Inclusive & Sustainable Ventures
Application Due March 31, 2025
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Morgan Stanley Inclusive & Sustainable Ventures (MSISV) includes two in-house accelerator programs—a Lab designed for startup founders and a Collaborative to support emerging nonprofits.
Morgan Stanley will provide participating Lab companies with an equity investment, a five-month curated program, mentorship, networking, office space for the duration of the program and access to certain external advisors.
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Accelerating and Scaling Biological Sciences With AI
Application Due April 16, 2025
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The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI) invites proposals to build large-scale AI/ML models that cannot be created with conventional university resources. CZI is the only philanthropic organization to fund and build one of the largest computing systems dedicated to nonprofit life sciences research in the world. CZI’s cluster is optimized for AI and machine learning training at scale and comprises 1,024 Nvidia H100 GPUs in an NVIDIA DGX SuperPOD configuration with access to VAST fast data storage.
This grant is for an allocation of CZI’s GPU resource (minimum request of 96 GPUs). This is an in-kind award; there are no cash funds, financial contributions, or fees of any kind associated with the award.
Applications will be accepted for consideration on the third Wednesdays of every month until June.
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Startup Prize: Focus on Health
Application Due April 18, 2025
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Based in Shreveport, LA, Startup Prize: Focus on Health is a national entrepreneurial competition for early-stage health, medical and life sciences startups and provides an incredible opportunity for those companies to battle test and advance their concepts with subject matter experts, payers, providers and system leaders. We thought this might be a great fit for any medical, health & wellness and healthtech startups in your program.
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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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BioNTX Presents: 2025 Career Expo & HR Forum
Join BioNTX for our Career Expo to connect with industry professionals and recruiters who can help advance your career in the life sciences and healthcare sectors. Our HR Forum will be a series of targeted sessions designed to help biotech employers navigate the complexities of workforce management.
March 27th | Dallas, TX
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BIO BREAK: Dallas' Life Sciences
Happy Hour
Join us in celebrating the thriving Life Sciences community of Dallas with McDermott, Deloitte, and BioNTX at BIO BREAK, a monthly happy hour designed for networking and collaboration. Don't miss this invaluable opportunity to engage with fellow industry professionals, exchange ideas, and foster new connections at the innovative setting of Pegasus Park.
April 3rd | Dallas, TX
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20th Annual BioHouston Chili Cookoff
Join BioHouston for one of Houston’s largest and most popular life science networking events, where we come together to honor the legacy of Ann Tanabe, celebrate her contributions to the bio community, and enjoy LOTS OF CHILI while making valuable connections!
April 4th | Houston, TX
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Texas Healthcare Challenge 2025
The Texas Healthcare Challenge utilizes design thinking and innovation to drive meaningful change in healthcare. This hackathon brings together creative problem-solvers to address some of the industry’s most pressing challenges
April 4th-5th | Dallas, TX
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BIO BREAK: Fort Worth's Life Sciences Happy Hour
Join BioNTX, RSM, Haynes Boone and UTA for a special happy hour dedicated to the life science community—where ideas flourish, partnerships grow, and collaboration thrives. Reconnect with colleagues, spark new relationships, and toast to the shared passion that drives us forward, all in a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
April 8th | Fort Worth, TX
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Pegasus Park Speaker Series: Insights from
the Frontlines of Health Policy
Join Pegasus Park for a panel of experts who have been on the frontlines of health policy: Dr. Amy Abernethy (Cofounder, Highlander Health), as well as former FDA Commissioners Mark McClellan and Robert Califf. The panel will be moderated by Dr. Brad Hirsch (Cofounder, Highlander Health).
April 16th | Dallas, TX
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Thank you for your Membership & Support!
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