One Year Later: Catching Up with the 2025 BioNTX Rising Stars
Part 2
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What happens after the recognition?
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A new class has been announced. Now, let's look back.
As BioNTX welcomes the 2026 Rising Stars, BioNTX Presents: Inside Innovation takes a moment to revisit the founders who represented the 2025 cohort. In this second edition of One Year Later, host Eric B. Moore reconnects with Jerry Baty of StitchLock, Stephanie Collins of Eido Bio, and Jon Northrup of Stingray Therapeutics to hear how their companies and entrepreneurial journeys have evolved since being recognized at iC³.
The conversation explores the realities behind the recognition—from company growth and commercialization to patient impact, challenges, lessons learned, and the opportunities ahead.
As the 2026 Rising Stars begin their own journey, this conversation provides an opportunity to reflect on the 2025 class and the progress that can follow when promising founders are given visibility, connections, and a platform within the innovation ecosystem. The Rising Stars is presented by The Davis/Yost Group at Morgan Stanley, whose continued support helps BioNTX elevate emerging companies and create meaningful connections across North Texas' life sciences community.
Thank you to our Rising Stars sponsor
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The Momentum Is Becoming Impossible to Ignore
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For those of us who have been watching, building, investing and collaborating across North Texas, this is not necessarily a surprise. But it is significant.
Dallas-Fort Worth has been named one of the Next 10 U.S. Biopharma Clusters by Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News (GEN), ranking #5 among emerging life sciences regions nationwide. That recognition matters—not because a ranking defines an ecosystem, but because it signals that the story we have been telling about North Texas is increasingly being recognized beyond our region.
GEN’s analysis looked at patents, NIH funding, venture capital, laboratory space and jobs. DFW stands out with more than 26,000 life sciences jobs, growing investment and an expanding infrastructure designed to support discovery, innovation and commercialization.
But the numbers only tell part of the story. The bigger story is what is being built around them. From Pegasus Park and BioLabs to ARPA-H, Bridge Labs, the Texas Research Quarter and major biopharma investment, North Texas is developing the infrastructure and connections required to move ideas from discovery toward impact. And this is where the moment becomes bigger than any single company, institution or project. We are building an ecosystem.
At BioNTX, we believe our responsibility is not simply to celebrate that momentum—but to help connect it, accelerate it and make sure the world understands what is happening here. So, yes, this recognition is exciting. But the most exciting part is what comes next. The story of North Texas life sciences is still being written. And increasingly, the rest of the country is starting to pay attention.
The momentum is real.
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Join Us This September at the 2026 iC³ Summit
September 24 - 25, 2026
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The BioNTX iC³ Life Science & Healthcare Innovation Summit is North Texas’s premier convening for the region’s bioscience and healthcare community. Each year, we bring together industry leaders, pioneering researchers, investors, entrepreneurs, and innovators to share insights, explore emerging trends, and collaborate on the next breakthroughs in life sciences and healthcare.
At iC³ 2026, you will have the opportunity to engage with thought leaders, connect with peers, and participate in conversations that are shaping the future of healthcare innovation in North Texas and beyond. Whether you are looking to gain knowledge, showcase your work, or build meaningful partnerships, iC³ provides the platform to make an impact.
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Thank you for your support
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BIO BREAK: Connect, Collaborate, Innovate
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BIO BREAK brings the life sciences community together for an evening of connection and conversation. Attendees will have the opportunity to network with peers, share insights on emerging trends, and explore ideas driving collaboration and innovation across the ecosystem. The event is designed to strengthen professional relationships and support a more connected life sciences community in the region.
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FORT WORTH
October 13, 2026
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Alloy Therapeutics Named
2026 Prix Galien USA Best Startup Nominee
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Alloy Therapeutics has been named a 2026 Prix Galien USA nominee in the Best Startup category, recognizing the company’s contributions to advancing innovative approaches to drug discovery and development. The Prix Galien USA recognizes outstanding achievements in life sciences innovation, with nominees selected based on their potential to improve human health.
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AstraZeneca Reports Positive Phase III Results for
TAGRISSO® Combination in EGFR-Mutated Lung Cancer
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AstraZeneca, a global biopharmaceutical company, announced positive high-level results from the Phase III SAFFRON trial, demonstrating that TAGRISSO® (osimertinib) plus savolitinib significantly improved progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) compared with platinum-based chemotherapy in patients with EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
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BMK Pharma Expands Research and
Manufacturing Footprint in Allen
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BMK Pharma is expanding its presence in North Texas following unanimous approval by the Allen City Council for a zoning change that will allow the company to operate a pharmaceutical research and manufacturing facility near Central Expressway and Exchange Parkway. The facility will support research, development, production, storage, and sales of pharmaceutical products, strengthening BMK Pharma’s efforts to improve medication availability and the health care supply chain.
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Island Pharmaceuticals Advances Antiviral Pipeline
With Expanded Galidesivir Production
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Island Pharmaceuticals is expanding its Galidesivir supply with a second GMP manufacturing campaign, strengthening its ability to support potential Ebola outbreak response while advancing the drug’s broader biodefense and regulatory development programs.
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Johnson & Johnson Advances Surgical Intelligence
With New Digital Surgery Report
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Johnson & Johnson has released a new Future of Digital Surgery report exploring how artificial intelligence, connected technologies, and multimodal data could transform surgical care. The report introduces a framework for surgical intelligence and highlights the need for interoperability, trusted governance, sustainable economics, and clinician-centered adoption to responsibly scale these technologies across healthcare.
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SciSure Expands Lab Management Capabilities
Through Scientist.com Integration
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SciSure is expanding its lab management and EHS compliance capabilities through a new integration with Scientist.com, connecting scientific procurement with inventory, safety, and regulatory workflows. The partnership enables biopharma organizations to streamline processes from purchasing and receiving through laboratory inventory management and compliance.
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Arlington EDC Launches New Program
to Support Local Innovation
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The Arlington Economic Development Corporation has launched the Business Innovation and Research & Development (BIRD) Matching Funds program, offering matching grants of up to $100,000 to Arlington-based technology and innovation companies that secure qualifying non-dilutive funding, including SBIR and STTR awards. The program aims to help local companies advance research, commercialize new technologies, create high-paying jobs, and strengthen Arlington’s growing innovation ecosystem.
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Carter BloodCare Expands Rockwall Donor Center
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Carter BloodCare has opened a new, larger donor center in Rockwall, expanding its space to 3,000 square feet to accommodate growing demand for blood, platelet, and plasma donations. The organization is currently seeking donors of all blood types, with an especially urgent need for O-negative and O-positive blood to support patients with critical medical needs.
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TCU Medical Students Step Up to Support
Patients Living With Hidradenitis Suppurativa
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TCU medical students are helping patients living with Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS), a painful chronic skin condition that can significantly affect mobility, sleep, work, and mental health. In partnership with Fort Worth HS specialist Dr. Max Pekarev and Thrive Reconstructive Surgery, students at Burnett School of Medicine at TCU created care kits containing skin-care products to provide patients with additional support.
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UTA Researcher Advances Research on Antibiotic Resistance
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A University of Texas at Arlington researcher is studying how harmful bacteria survive antibiotic treatment and evade the body’s immune system. The research focuses on how bacteria respond to stress during infection, with the goal of identifying new pathways that could lead to improved treatments for drug-resistant infections.
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UT Southwestern Named First Parkinson’s Foundation
Center of Excellence in North Texas
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UT Southwestern Medical Center has been designated a Parkinson’s Foundation Center of Excellence, becoming the first in North Texas and only the second in Texas to receive the recognition. The designation highlights its multidisciplinary Parkinson’s care, research, clinical trials, education, quality improvement, and community outreach.
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FUNDING & MENTORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
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The Harrington Prize for Innovation in Medicine
The Harrington Prize for Innovation in Medicine, presented by the American Society for Clinical Investigation and Harrington Discovery Institute, honors a physician-scientist who has moved science forward with achievements notable for innovation, creativity and potential for clinical application.
Applications closes on September 14, 2026
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FDA READI-Home Innovation Challenge
The FDA’s READI-Home Innovation Challenge supports innovators developing medical device technologies that can be used in the home setting to help reduce hospital readmissions. Selected participants will have the opportunity to engage with the FDA, gain early regulatory insights, and advance solutions that improve patient care after hospital discharge.
Applications closes on September 30, 2026
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Upcoming Events & Opportunities
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Texas A&M TAMIDS Fall 2026 Networking Social
Join Texas A&M University to connect with top students in Data Science, AI, and Cybersecurity and discover your next generation of talent.
September 9th | College Station, TX
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Women in STEM Emerging Leaders Workshop
Join Women in STEM Leadership to build essential leadership skills, discover your STEM purpose, and learn strategies to navigate barriers and advance your career.
September 11th | Irving, TX
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Houston Science Festival brings organizations and communities together to engage families and students through hands-on science experiences across the city.
September 12th - 19th | Houston, TX
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Q3 2026 ISPE South Central Chapter Educational Event
Join ISPE South Central Chapter for an educational program on the role of radiopharmaceuticals in advancing disease treatment, followed by networking and dinner.
September 15th | Across TX
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TechFW & UNT Health Innovation Forum
Join TechFW and UNT Health for an afternoon of real talk, real expertise, and real pitches from some of North Texas's most exciting med-tech innovators.
September 17th | Fort Worth, TX
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2026 Fort Worth Healthcare System Summit
The 2026 Fort Worth Healthcare System Summit explores how health, law, ethics, and technology can advance healthcare access in rural, underserved, and resource-constrained communities.
September 22nd | Fort Worth, TX
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Thank you for your support!
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