Pivotal new cancer research tower tops off in the Texas Medical Center

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The new tower will be home of the Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center. Photo courtesy of Baylor College of Medicine

Anew structure aimed at greatly expanding medical services and outpatient care to residents of Greater Houston recently topped off.

At an official ceremony attended by VIPs and industry names, Baylor St. Luke's Medical Center toasted the completion of the concrete structure pivotal in the construction of the O'Quinn Medical Tower at the McNair Campus.

This new 12-story O'Quinn Medical Tower at Baylor St. Luke's - McNair Campus will be the new clinical home for the Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, per a release. The center is nationally ranked for cancer care by U.S. News & World Report and is one of only three National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer centers in Texas. It earned that designation through Baylor College of Medicine.

Additionally, the O'Quinn Medical Tower is part of the expanding McNair Campus. This campus promises more than 400,000 square feet of space to support and provide personalized care to patients and families, including another hospital bed tower and ambulatory care center, press materials describe.

Those familiar with the area will recognize that the campus sits directly adjacent to the planned site of TMC3, a new 37-acre campus that will be located between Old Spanish Trail and Brays Bayou.

"The new O'Quinn Tower and its designation as the clinical home of Baylor's Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center will be an important milestones in Baylor's mission," said Dr. Paul Klotman, president, CEO and executive dean of Baylor College of Medicine, in a release. "The McNair Campus is the hub of our clinical activity, and we look forward to the continued expansion."

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This article originally ran on CultureMap.

Health care leaders joined a virtual panel to discuss the effects of COVID-19 and more. Photo by Dwight C. Andrews/Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau

Overheard: Houston health care experts sound off on how tech and COVID-19 have affected the industry

eavesdropping in houston

There has been an undeniable paradigm shift in the health care industry due to COVID-19 as well as the growth of technology. A group of professionals sat down to discuss what in particular has changed for the industry as a whole as well as at local institutions.

At a panel for Venture Houston, a two-day conference put on by the HX Venture Fund on February 4th and 5th, a few health care professionals weighed in on all the changes to the industry for the startups, investors, corporations, and more who attended the virtual event. Here are some significant overheard moments from the virtual panel — Thinking Past a COVID World.

“For most of health care, this last year has been probably five years of rapid cycle re-innovation and movement forward — particularly in the digital realm.”

— Marc Boom, president and CEO of Houston Methodist. From rapid adoption of telemedicine to developing a COVID-19 vaccine in less than a year, health care has seen rapid growth. However, there's fine tuning still needed, Boom continues.

"At the end of the day there's only so much we can do virtually," he adds.

“The most incredible thing was how the vaccines got developed so quickly.”

— Chris Rizik, CEO of Renaissance Venture Partners. A large portion of the industry wasn't excited about RNA vaccines, but the COVID-19 vaccines might have changed some minds. It took 11 months to get it out into the world, but 10 of that was purely regulatory, he adds.

"One of the sustaining changes of the COVID-19 pandemic is I think RNA vaccines are here to stay."

​— Paul Klotman, executive dean of Baylor College of Medicine. Klotman adds that the vaccine's trials were so impressively quick because there were just so many COVID patients sick and eligible to enroll.

“I think one of the things the TMC institutions did really well was to decide really early on was to share data.”

— Boom says, adding that the TMC represents around 70 percent of Houston's adults and around 90 percent of the city's pediatric patients. This opportunity for data is "one of the most robust sources of real-time data."

"Yes, you're going to compete clinically, but there's a lot of collaboration to be done especially during a pandemic," Boom says of the TMC's member organizations prioritizing collaboration with data sharing.

“Houston has done better than almost all major metropolitan areas because we have came together as a city and a community.”

— Klotman says, adding that the vast patient base the TMC is key.

"There's a huge opportunity here for early biotech development," he says. "Because there are so many patients, there are huge opportunities to do new trials."

“The real challenge is for investors to be in tune to know what’s here to stay, and to invest around that."

— Rizik says, adding that 2020 was the biggest year for health care investment with more money going into deals, rather than more deals occuring.

“We’re seeing a huge uptick in people interested in health professions, thanks to COVID.”

— Boom says of the industry's workforce, which has usually been hard to recruit and grow.

“The medical school communities are all racing to change the way we teach and the kind of information we teach.”

— Klotman says of the future of the workforce.

“Unlike most industries, technology is tended to be cumbersome in health care.

​— Boom says adding that new technology means added costs and slowed down processes that can't replace the human touch. Houston Methodist is looking for innovations that don't take health care professionals away from patients.

“If there’s anything this last year has shown us is that as fast as we thought we were going, we need to go faster. We’re excited to work with companies with great ideas.”

— Boom says of the future of tech in health care. "I think we're on a very transformational era in digital health right now — but there's a lot of work to be done still."

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3 Houston innovators to know this week

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Editor's note: Every week, I introduce you to a handful of Houston innovators to know recently making headlines with news of innovative technology, investment activity, and more. This week's batch includes three innovators across academia and health care innovation.

Reginald DesRoches, president of Rice University

Rice University President Reginald DesRoches joins the Houston Innovators Podcast to discuss balancing tradition with growth, innovation, and global impact in education. Photo courtesy Tommy LaVergne/Rice University

How does a historic university maintain its legacy while still making room for growth and increased opportunities? That's what Rice University President Reginald DesRoches considers with every decision he makes.

"It's this idea of preserving what's special about the university, while also knowing we need to adapt to a new time, a new Rice, a new time in higher ed, and a new time in society," DesRoches says on the Houston Innovators Podcast.

"There's a healthy tension between preserving what Rice is known for — the culture of care, the close-knit community — while knowing that we need to grow, have a global impact, and position Rice on a global scale. It's something that's constantly in my mind to make sure we do both." Continue reading.

Tatiana Fofanova, CEO of Koda Health

Koda Health has a new service for the 37 million Americans living with Chronic Kidney Disease. Photo courtesy of Koda Health

Chronic Kidney Disease is expensive and common. In fact, 37 million Americans live with the condition. The winner of this year’s Houston Innovation Award for best female-founded business, Koda Health, recognized the need for help among CKD sufferers and has answered the call.

Last week, Koda Health announced the addition of Kidney Action Planning to its suite of services for patients with serious illnesses.

"Kidney Action Planning is designed to fill a significant void in CKD management," Tatiana Fofanova, CEO of Koda Health, says in a statement. "Some studies indicate greater than 70 percent of patients start dialysis in the ER suboptimally, potentially navigating a life-or-death scenario. This is both frightening and largely avoidable with an intervention like Kidney Action Planning, which helps patients better understand CKD.” Continue reading.

Arun Swaminathan, CEO of Coya Therapeutics

Coya Therapeutics appoints a new CEO to lead its innovative Alzheimer's treatment development efforts. Photo via LinkedIn

Coya Therapeutics has named a new CEO. As of Nov. 1, Arun Swaminathan replaced Co-founder Howard Berman in the role. Berman has assumed the title of executive chairman, in which he will still remain active with the company.

Swaminathan started with Coya two years ago as chief business officer. This transition was planned, says the PhD-holding scientist and businessman.

Coya Therapeutics is a publicly traded biotechnology company that is working on two novel treatments for Alzheimer's disease. Coya's therapeutics, which are currently in trials, use regulatory T cells (T regs) to target both systemic- and neuroinflammation in patients. Continue reading.

10+ can't-miss Houston business and innovation events for December

WHERE TO BE

From networking meetups to pitch competitions, December is filled with opportunities for Houston innovators. Here's a roundup of events you won't want to miss out on so mark your calendars and register accordingly.

Note: This post might be updated to add more events.


December 3 — Cup of Joey: InnovationMap Awards Finalist Celebration

Meet the finalists of the Innovation Awards and network with like-minded, curious individuals over strong coffee.

This event is Tuesday, December 3, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. at 820 Gessner Rd. Click here to register.

December 3 — Antwerp-Houston Innovation Mission: Cleantech Pitching Event

Pitch your cleantech solution to members of both the Antwerp and Houston ecosystem. This cleantech pitch competition will feature networking with industry leaders, investors, and like-minded individuals passionate about sustainability. Witness groundbreaking ideas, support the future of cleantech, and take advantage of a unique opportunity to pitch to the Port Of Antwerp-Bruges, Bluechem, StartUp Flanders and more.

This event is Tuesday, December 3, from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Ion. Click here to register.

December 4-5 — Energy LIVE 2024

A full-spectrum energy exhibition, with 3000+ decision-maker attendees and 100 booths - the first meeting point for North America's clean energy ecosystem post-U.S. election, where attendees will seize emerging opportunities for sustainable profit. The Energy LIVE Expo will connect the three concurrent strategic conferences to laser focus on facilitating the next generation of net-zero partnerships.

This event begins Wednesday, December 4, at NRG Park. Click here to register.

December 5 — Holiday Block Party at the Ion

Join the Rice Alliance team for a holiday block party at the Ion featuring familiar faces and a healthy dose of Houston’s entrepreneurial energy. This is a celebration where you can catch up with old friends, meet new ones and soak in the holiday spirit. In the spirit of giving, Operation Love is hosting a toy drive at the event. Bring a toy to donate, and wrap it up at the gift-wrapping station.

This event is Thursday, December 5, from 4 to 7 pm at the Ion. Click here to register.

December 5 — SouthWest-Midwest National Pediatric Device Innovation Consortium

This annual event brings together members, colleagues, and guests of our FDA-supported consortium, dedicated to assisting pediatric device innovators throughout the entire lifecycle in delivering innovative solutions to pediatric patients. Angela Lorts, MD, MBA, of ACTION Network and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital will deliver a keynote address followed by a panel discussion on clinical trials/ evidence generation for pediatric devices and real-world evidence case studies.

This event is Thursday, December 5, from 4 to 7:30 pm at Texas A&M EnMed Tower. Click here to register.

December 6 — Inaugural Houston Methodist Neal Cancer Center GI Oncology Symposium

In this session, attendees will explore the latest advancements in surgical techniques for early-stage hepatobiliary cancer. The presentations will cover innovative operative approaches that enhance surgical outcomes and improve patient recovery. Expert surgeons will discuss their experiences with new technologies and methods, including minimally invasive procedures and enhanced imaging techniques.

This event is Friday, December 6, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m at Houston Methodist Research Institute. Click here to register.

December 9 — Pumps & Pipes Annual Event 2024

The Pumps & Pipes Annual Event is an innovation gathering bringing together cross-industry leaders in Aerospace, Energy, and Medicine for engaging discussions and top tier networking opportunities. There will be three hour-long sessions ranging from space to medical technologies. The "Skybound Synergies: State of Texas Aerospace Investments & Their Ripple Effect" panel will spotlight Texas’ critical role in shaping the future of aerospace, with a focus on its cross-sector impact, from space exploration to innovation in energy & healthcare. Speakers include: Norman Garza, Jr., Executive Director of the Texas Space Commission (TSC); as well as two members of the TSC board of directors: Sarah “Sassie” Duggelby, CEO/Co-Founder of Venus Aerospace; & Kathryn Lueders, GM at Starbase, SpaceX.

In the "Innovating the Impossible: Real-World Applications of Robotics & Synthetic Bio" speakers will explore the groundbreaking intersection of synthetic biology and robotics as they reshape industries from aerospace to energy to healthcare. In "The Total Artificial Heart: Past, Present, & Future; a Uniquely Houston Story" Dr. Billy Cohn, will discuss the groundbreaking BiVACOR TAH, a device that fully replaces the function of the heart using a magnetically levitated rotary pump. This innovative approach is part of an FDA-approved first-in-human study, aiming to evaluate its use as a bridge-to-transplant for patients awaiting heart transplants.

This event is Monday, December 9, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Texas Medical Center Helix Park. Click here to register.

December 9 — The $2 Million to $22 Million ARR Playbook

Join Next Stage Trajectory at The Cannon West Houston and learn from leaders who have navigated the path from promising startup to established industry player. This panel brings together three accomplished founders who have successfully scaled their companies from $2 million to over $20 million in annual recurring revenue within a short time period. Expert speakers will share insights, strategies, and hard-won lessons from their journeys.

This event is Monday, December 9, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. at the Cannon. Click here to register.

December 11 — Jingle Mingle and the Houston Tech & Energytech Extravaganza

Celebrate the season with Houston’s tech, energy transition, and life science startup communities. Enjoy music, holiday lights, an ugly sweater competition, and maybe even a visit from Startup Santa. Network with fellow builders in the Houston energy transition and foster meaningful connections and collaborations.

This event is Wednesday, December 11, from 5 to 9 pm at 401 Franklin St. Click here to register.

December 12 — Houston Region Economic Outlook

The Greater Houston Partnership’s Chief Economist Patrick Jankowski will present the organization’s Houston economic forecast for 2025, discussing the regional employment outlook for the year ahead and the overall regional and national economic outlook. This year’s event is particularly significant as it marks Jankowski’s final forecast presentation before his well-earned retirement after a 41-year career with the Partnership.

The Partnership’s Houston Region Economic Outlook event will also feature a panel discussion with experts discussing their insights on their respective industries, including commercial real estate and energy, moderated by Dan Bellow, President of JLL. Panelists include Stan Chapman, Executive Vice President & COO, Natural Gas Pipelines, TC Energy; Mary Beth Gracy, Houston Office Managing Director, Accenture.

This event is Thursday, December 12, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Royal Sonesta. Click here to register.

December 13 — 2024 Women In Agriculture Conference

Urban Harvest will host its third annual Women in Agriculture Conference, bringing together urban gardeners, farmers, entrepreneurs, and plant enthusiasts from across Texas to celebrate, educate, and uplift the work of women shaping the agricultural landscape. The conference features expert panels, networking opportunities, food, and prizes, and will offer a platform to share resources and knowledge for sustainable agriculture practices.

This event is Friday, December 13, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Houston Community College - West Houston Institute Campus. Click here to register.

5 top trending innovation stories in Houston this week

what you're reading

Editor's note:Let's roundup the most-read Houston innovation news from the week. Trending Houston tech and startup articles from InnovationMap and its daily newsletter included Houston ranking highly as a top city, Plug and Play re-entering the Houston market, and more.

West Coast innovation organization unveils new location in Houston suburb to boost Texas tech ecosystem

Plug and Play is opening a Sugar Land hub to accelerate startups and innovation across smart cities, energy, health, and mobility sectors. Photo courtesy of Plug and Play

Leading innovation platform Plug and Play announced the opening of its new flagship Houston-area location in Sugar Land, which is its fourth location in Texas.

Plug and Play has accelerated over 2,700 startups globally last year with corporate partners that include Dell Technologies, Daikin, Microsoft, LG Chem, Shell, and Mercedes. The company’s portfolio includes PayPal, Dropbox, LendingClub, and Course Hero, with 8 percent of the portfolio valued at over $100 million. Continue reading.

German biotech co. to relocate to Houston thanks to $4.75M CPRIT grant

Several Houston institutions scored funding from the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas. Photo via Getty Images

Armed with a $4.75 million grant from the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas, a German biotech company will relocate to Houston to work on developing a cancer medicine that fights solid tumors.

Eisbach Bio is conducting a clinical trial of its EIS-12656 therapy at Houston’s MD Anderson Cancer Center. In September, the company announced its first patient had undergone EIS-12656 treatment. EIS-12656 works by suppressing cancer-related genome reorganization generated by DNA. Continue reading.

Houston leaps back into top 50 'World's Best Cities' list for 2025

Houston made a big leap back into the top 50, ranking No. 40, after previously plummeting into No. 72 last year. Photo by Natalie Harms/InnovationMap

Lively Houston has regained its rightful place among the top 50 best cities in the world, according to a prestigious new report by Resonance Consultancy.

The Canada-based real estate and tourism marketing advisors ranked Houston the 40th best city worldwide for 2025 in its annual "World's Best Cities" list. Continue reading.

New CEO brings strategic vision to Houston co. advancing neurodegenerative disease treatments

Coya Therapeutics appoints a new CEO to lead its innovative Alzheimer's treatment development efforts. Photo via LinkedIn

Coya Therapeutics has named a new CEO. As of Nov. 1, Arun Swaminathan replaced Co-founder Howard Berman in the role. Berman has assumed the title of executive chairman, in which he will still remain active with the company.

Swaminathan started with Coya two years ago as chief business officer. This transition was planned, says the PhD-holding scientist and businessman.

“(Berman's) intent was that it was the right time to put in place a CEO that, as we move into the operational phases of the company, that can take the reins from him,” he tells InnovationMap. Continue reading.

Uniquely Houston event to convene innovation experts across aerospace, energy, and medicine

For the eighteenth year in a row, the annual Pumps & Pipes event will showcase and explore convergence innovation and common technology themes across Houston’s three major industries. Image courtesy of Pumps & Pipes

Every year, Houston's legacy industries — energy, medicine, and aerospace — come together to share innovative ideas and collaborate on future opportunities.

For the eighteenth year in a row, the annual Pumps & Pipes event will showcase and explore convergence innovation and common technology themes across Houston’s three major industries. The hosting organization, also called Pumps & Pipes, was established in 2007 in Houston and is dedicated to fostering collaboration amongst the city's three major industries.

With NASA in its backyard, the world’s largest medical center, and a reputation as the “Energy Capital of the World,” Houston is uniquely positioned to lead in cross-industry convergence innovation and is reflected in the theme of this year’s event – Blueprint Houston: Converge and Innovate. Continue reading.

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