Osteal Therapeutics Closes Series D Funding Round
to Advance Orthopedic Device Candidate
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Osteal Therapeutics announces it has closed a $50 M, Series D funding round led by Zimmer Biomet, with support from Johnson & Johnson Innovation – JJDC, Inc., Gideon Strategic Partners, and HM Capital. The funds will propel the development of VT-X7, a therapy for periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) towards FDA submission and commercialization. Backed by positive results from APEX and APEX-2 trials, Osteal has received Breakthrough Therapy and Fast Track status, reflecting its potential to address a critical medical need.
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Good Days Prioritizes Rare Disease Patients with Financial Support
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Good Days has announced a partnership with the Sumaira Foundation to extend financial aid and support to individuals with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) across the United States. Good Days has disbursed over two million grants and $3 billion in assistance since its inception in 2003, offering various programs such as premium, copayment, and travel assistance. The collaboration facilitates NMOSD patients in initiating and sustaining their treatment journey, while Clorinda Walley, President of Good Days, underscores how it enables patients and their families to prioritize their health without being hindered by financial obstacles.
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Good Days swiftly offers financial aid to Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum disorder (NMOSD) patients unable to afford urgently needed treatment. Patients must have a diagnosed covered disease, valid Social Security number, and receive treatment in the US. They should seek assistance for an FDA-approved medication and have medical insurance covering at least 50% of treatment costs, excluding the deductible.
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Texas Tech System Named Top 100 U.S. University for Patents
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For the second year running, the Texas Tech University System earns a spot on the National Academy of Inventors' prestigious Top 100 U.S. Universities Granted Utility Patents List. Rising to No. 74, this recognition highlights the institution's consistent dedication to fostering American innovation.
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BIO 2024: A Reflection of Growth in North Texas Life Sciences
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The Lone Star State was the shining star in San Diego at the annual BIO International Convention. Delegates and representatives from Houston, Austin, Dallas, San Antonio, and across the State converged under a single banner: Texas Bio. Each city brought its unique flavor of innovation and expertise to the table, creating a vibrant tapestry of Texan talent and opportunity. Researchers, entrepreneurs, and investors alike found themselves drawn to the vibrant energy emanating from the Texas booth, where opportunity and fortune await the bold and innovative.
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Networking at BIO San Diego 2024
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Island Pharmaceuticals Announces Advancements
in Dengue Treatment
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Island Pharmaceuticals has unveiled new data that promises to streamline and reduce costs in its dengue fever clinical program significantly. Following the success of a Single Ascending Dose study for ISLA-101, new in-silico dose modeling has confirmed the effectiveness of a single level, multi-day dose of ISLA-101. This innovative approach achieves blood concentrations proven effective against the dengue virus in pre-clinical studies, enabling the upcoming Phase 2 trial to adopt a simplified and more informative design.
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Johnson & Johnson RYBREVANT Set to Change NSCLC Treatment
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Johnson & Johnson's Phase 3 MARIPOSA study reveals promising outcomes for RYBREVANT® as a first-line treatment for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. This demonstrated a significant enhancement in progression-free survival (PFS) compared to standard care, particularly benefiting high-risk patient subgroups with these mutations. The findings strengthen the potential of RYBREVANT plus lazertinib as a crucial first-line option for EGFR-mutated NSCLC patients, addressing critical unmet needs.
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Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drugs and TranspareRx
Join Forces on Affordable Prescription Mandate
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TranspareRx, a healthcare technology company known for its groundbreaking prescription savings platforms Cuverd and TextRx, announces a strategic collaboration with Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company. The partnership seeks to redefine prescription affordability by integrating Cost Plus Drugs' transparent pricing into the Cuverd and TextRx platforms. By incorporating Cost Plus Drugs' transparent pricing model, patients can now access comprehensive pricing information and compare direct discount pricing with insurance coverage effortlessly. The partnership represents a significant step forward in enhancing transparency and accessibility in the healthcare industry.
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McKesson Leads North Texas in Latest Fortune 500 Rankings
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McKesson has claimed the No. 9 spot on the latest Fortune 500 list, with 2023 revenues exceeding $276 B. The DFW metroplex is home to 21 companies on the list after McKesson, a key player in pharmaceutical and healthcare distribution relocated from California to North Texas in 2019. Fortune ranks U.S. companies based on revenue, also considering profits, assets, market value, and employee count.
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EY Launches New Techn-Driven Audit Capabilities
and AI Assurance Framework
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EY has introduced new technology capabilities and a global AI Assurance framework, aligning 9,000 Technology Risk professionals with the Assurance service line as part of its audit transformation program. These updates are designed to enhance EY's Assurance capabilities, improve audit quality, and provide deeper insights into finance, sustainability, and technology risk. Key features include AI-powered tools for financial statement tie-outs and a comprehensive global AI Assurance framework for all EY Assurance professionals.
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Fragomen Tops Inaugural Best Law Firms Rankings
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Fragomen has distinguished itself in the inaugural edition of Best Law Firms – Australia by achieving a National Tier 1 ranking in Immigration Law. The recognition highlights Fragomen's legal excellence on both a national and regional level, providing clients with exceptional legal representation in immigration matters.
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NASA Recognizes Baylor Scientist with Career Award
For Planetary Geology Research
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Peter James, Ph.D. Professor of Geosciences at Baylor University
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Peter B. James, Ph.D., of Baylor University, has been honored with NASA's 2023 Planetary Science Early Career Award in recognition of his outstanding leadership and contributions to the field. This prestigious accolade will provide funding to support his project, "Origins of porosity on rocky planetary surfaces," which investigates the role of craters and volcanoes in creating empty spaces within bedrock. Beyond enriching Baylor's Planetary Research Group, the award underscores the group's unwavering commitment to unraveling the mysteries of the solar system.
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UNTHSC Professor Receives 2024 Faculty Achievement Award
for Contributions to Public Health in North Texas
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Dr. Stacey Griner of the School of Public Health at The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth has received the 2024 Faculty Achievement Award for her exceptional contributions in teaching, research, and service. Her research primarily addresses sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and public health issues, with a particular focus on women's and community health.
Dr. Griner has led pioneering studies exploring the link between STIs and oral health. In addition to her research, she is deeply committed to mentoring students and volunteers with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, helping guide young individuals toward higher education. Her dedication and passion make her a deserving recipient of this prestigious award.
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Stacey Griner, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Population & Community Health
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UTA Data Scientist Granted Fellowship
by American Statistical Association
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Xinlei “Sherry” Wang, Director for Research in UTA's Division of Data Science, has been named a 2024 fellow of the American Statistical Association in recognition of her outstanding contributions to statistical and computational methods.
Dr. Wang, who also holds the Jenkins Garrett Endowed Professorship of Statistics and Data Science, has been instrumental in the development of UTA's data science program, including the launch of its first graduate degree in data science. Her leadership and scholarship have garnered major grants and numerous publications, solidifying her impact in the field.
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Xinlei “Sherry” Wang, Ph.D., Professor of Mathematics at The University of Texas at Arlington
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UTD Students' NASA-Backed AI Solution
Takes Flight to Johnson Space Center
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A team of students from the University of Texas at Dallas is preparing to present their cutting-edge AI solution for water object detection at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. The team's project is part of NASA's Micro-g Neutral Buoyancy Experiment Design Teams (Micro-g NExT) program, which offers undergraduate students the opportunity to design, build, and test a device that addresses a NASA exploration challenge.
Under the mentorship of a NASA expert, the UTD research team has been diligently developing their prototype, a process that has equipped them with critical skills in software development and project management. Their AI solution is poised to make significant contributions to NASA's missions by improving the detection and identification of objects in aquatic environments, which is essential for various space and planetary explorations.
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(from left to right) Computer Scientists Hamilton Ngo, Jaszmine DeFranco, Victor Sim, Colton Lackey, Amir Sabri and Uy Seng
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AI-Based Speech Analysis Tool Shows Promise in
Detecting Cognitive Impairment and Dementia
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C. Munro Cullum, Ph.D., Professor of Psychiatry, Neurological Surgery, and Neurology, and Vice Chair and Chief of the Division of Psychology at UT Southwestern
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UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers, led by C. Munro Cullum, Ph.D., have developed an AI-based speech analysis tool that successfully identifies mild cognitive impairment and dementia in Spanish-speaking individuals. Published in Frontiers in Neurology, the study highlights the potential of this algorithm as an early screening tool for dementia risk.
Using data from 195 Spanish-speaking participants from a multicenter clinical trial in Spain, the AI was trained on language tasks collected via the AcceXible platform. The findings emphasize the effectiveness of machine learning tools in rapidly screening for cognitive impairment, particularly in large-scale studies, and suggest promising applications for future cognitive screening and early intervention efforts.
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AI Is Transforming Cancer Research and Patient Care
at UT Southwestern: How and Why
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Gaudenz Danuser, Ph.D., Professor of Cell Biology at UT Southwestern
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In 2021, UT Southwestern researchers, led by Gaudenz Danuser, Ph.D., used AI to analyze 1.7 million tumor images, revealing crucial differences in skin cancer metastasis. This highlights AI's role in enhancing various medical areas at the center, from treating depression to predicting diabetes complications and personalizing cancer treatments.
Steve Jiang, Ph.D., emphasizes AI's transformative impact. UT Southwestern's initiatives, including joining the Trustworthy & Responsible AI Network (TRAIN) and hosting the UT System AI Symposium, demonstrate their commitment to leveraging AI for scientific discovery and improved patient care.
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Barton Creative + Consulting: The Storytelling Agency
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For over ten years, Jon Barton has been at the forefront of design and entrepreneurship, drawing experience from working with a diverse range of companies, including innovative startups and established Fortune 500 corporations. Barton's journey has honed his project management skills, instilled a deep sense of self-discipline, and driven his motivation to achieve excellence in design with Barton Creative + Consulting (BCC).
The company's expertise extends to product design, where Barton has filed two patents—one for a medical device and another for a fashion accessory, which have garnered attention from RealSimple Magazine, Rewardstyle, Good Morning Texas, Startup Week, and D Magazine.
Recognizing that no one can master every field, BCC maintains a robust network of partner developers, identity specialists, copywriters, illustrators, videographers, photographers, and ad buyers to ensure that clients receive top-notch service tailored to their unique needs.
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Jon Barton, Co-founder & Owner, BCC
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Rosy Expands Innovative Women's Health Resources
with Strategic Pfizer Partnership
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Rosy, a women’s wellness platform established by Dr. Lyndsey Harper in 2019, is teaming up with Pfizer to offer resources on menopause and migraines. Originally centered on sexual health, Rosy provides expert medical insights through concise videos covering topics such as PCOS, mental health, and insomnia.
Rosy caters to all women spanning ages 17 to 93, and expects the collaboration with Pfizer will help introduce modules addressing menopause and migraines, aiming to enhance women's overall quality of life.
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A Texas-sized Economic Impact: Our Biopharmaceutical Industry
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New data from We Work For Health Texas highlights the significant economic impact of Texas's biopharmaceutical industry, including the crucial role played by vendors. These suppliers provide essential services and supplies, driving innovation, research, and patient care. The data reveals the broad influence of vendor expenditures, from lab equipment to maintenance services.
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FUNDING & MENTORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
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2024 iC³ Tech Transfer Showcase Application Portal is now OPEN
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The Tech Transfer Showcase at the iC³ Life Science Summit provides a prime opportunity to present your most promising intellectual property to a select audience of industry leaders and investors, opening doors to potential collaborations and funding opportunities.
Submission Guidelines
- Application deadline August 12, 2024 at 11:59 pm
- Open to all university technology transfer offices in Texas
- Two submissions per university campus
- Applications will be reviewed by a panel of industry experts
- The top six applicants will advance to podium pitch at the annual iC3 Summit
- Winning applicants will be paired with an industry mentor to help craft and polish your presentation
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“The Tech Transfer Showcase is an excellent example of how BioNTX is serving Texas universities and creating a strong life science ecosystem across the State of Texas,” said Jennifer Souter, Senior Licensing Associate, Texas Tech Office of Research Commercialization.
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Texas Tech Presidents' Innovative Startup Award
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Through these funding programs and opportunities, CPRIT grows the cancer-fighting ecosystem across Texas, providing life-extending results, and tangible economic benefits throughout the State.
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National Science Foundation Expands Funding Opportunity
to Bolster Regional Innovation Engines
LOI due June 18, 2024
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The U.S. National Science Foundation announced a funding opportunity to invest in a new set of NSF Regional Innovation Engines (NSF Engines) across the U.S. In January, NSF announced the 10 inaugural NSF Engines, and the latest opportunity looks to build upon that investment, pending congressional appropriations.
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Chiesi Rare Disease Golden Ticket Competition
Applications due June 30, 2024
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The Chiesi Golden Ticket Competition awards startups and companies 2 (two) Golden Tickets to a US BioLabs site. Each Golden Ticket provides one year of fully paid individual bench space and membership at a fully equipped laboratory designed to accelerate early-stage startup working on research and development in the gene editing and/or relevant viral and non-viral delivery technologies, for treating rare hematology, immunology, ophthalmology, dermatology, inborn errors of metabolism or metabolic diseases.
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Upcoming Events & Opportunities
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Nutrition, Obesity, & Chronic Disease Prevention
Join Good Days for an educational event to learn solutions for households and healthcare providers to address the impact of obesity on preventable health conditions and the nation’s healthcare systems.
June 13, 2024 | Virtual
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A Bio Future Exploring Innovation in Biotechnology
Join MassChallenge to learn how revolutionizing healthcare to powering sustainable energy solutions, biotechnology is paving the way for transformation across various sectors and industries.
June 13, 2024 | Dallas, TX
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Women in Bioscience
Join BioMedSA in welcoming Randi Brosterman Hutchens as she guides the discussion on the importance of building a personal advisory board.
June 20, 2024 | San Antonio
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AIM Health R&D Summit
Join Velocity TX to see the cutting-edge research, identify emerging trends and technologies, and network to foster economic development and growth.
June 24, 2024 | San Antonio, TX
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Chronic Disease Day Leadership Summit
Join Good Days and Bio North Texas for a luncheon symposium with leaders in patient-centric care at the home of the new ARPA-H Customer Experience Hub.
July 8, 2024 | Dallas, TX
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Building a Robust Life Science Ecosystem: The Bridge Between Research, Clinical Trials, & Manufacturing
Join BioNTX for a discussion around how clinical scale manufacturing, clinical research organizations, and patient-engaging clinicians are working together to create more opportunities for life saving cures.
July 17, 2024 | Plano, TX
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Celebrating a Decade of Innovation and Excellence in North Texas
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BioNTX is thrilled to announce our 10th Annual iC³ Life Science and Healthcare Innovation Summit, taking place on October 3rd and October 4th at the Arlington Convention Center at the Loews Hotel.
Join us for a two-day event where the most innovative minds from North Texas, the broader Southwest region and across the United States converge. Our Summit offers a vibrant platform for the bioscience and healthcare innovation to engage in thought-provoking discussions, share groundbreaking research, and delve into emerging technologies shaping the future of healthcare and biomedicine.
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Thank You for Your Membership & Support!
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