Growing the Life Science Ecosystem in Central Texas

We talk a lot around here about growing the life sciences ecosystem in Central Texas and people are actively working on doing just that. There is a concerted effort by local people and organizations to focus on the different ecosystem aspects that need to align in order for Austin to support a more robust life science industry. For example, real estate developers are working on building infrastructure, economic development organizations are showing us off in the best light possible, and academic institutions are training a workforce. However, these efforts focus on leveraging the strengths of our region and using them to drive further growth in areas that we already excel in.

To truly establish ourselves as a life sciences innovation hub, we must also focus on the areas that need to be nurtured and grown. One key example is funding—investors who understand the long timelines and substantial financial requirements of this industry are currently in short supply in Central Texas. While there are some, for sure, I constantly hear from startups that they need to look to the coasts to find the funding they need. A robust ecosystem must not only double down on its strengths, it should also look to ameliorate its weaknesses. When you look globally, ecosystems that truly drive life sciences innovation requires strength in all of these elements within a region.

I just returned from an inspiring trip to Switzerland. In a country that is approximately the size of Vermont and New Hampshire combined, there are nearly 1,000 life science companies. They encompass pharma (65), biotech(338) and medical devices (341). While there, I toured 3 incubator-like lab spaces and had the opportunity to speak with with the leaders in Lausanne and in Basel. The various cantons (or states) make significant investments in developing research parks and innovation hubs, fueling growth across the industry—not just at the high level, but also for early-stage and small ventures. I was super inspired by the strength of the industry in a country where the efficient transportation system made it easy to travel between them. People often cite Boston as the north star for Austin, and while I agree that the industry in Boston is a dream in a lot of ways, I think we could learn a great deal from Switzerland Innovation.

STUDENT SUCCESS STORIES

Meet Stefano

Stefano Casafranca Laos has been ABI’s User Experience (UX) research intern for a few months now and we interviewed him recently to hear about his experience so far…

“Can you tell us a bit about your academic background and what led you to pursue a career in industrial design?”

Stefano: “During my time in college in Peru, I discovered human-centered design, a problem-solving approach that prioritizes the needs of real people in the development process. I’ve always had a passion for inventions and the elements that contribute to effective design. Learning that design can be applied to services opened up a world of infinite possibilities for me.”

“Can you describe a typical day in your role as an intern?”

Stefano: “I usually plan workshops and employ creative thinking techniques to generate future innovations for ABI.”

“What has been the most challenging aspect of your internship so far, and how did you overcome it?”

Stefano: “A challenge has been bringing my knowledge and educational background into an unfamiliar industry, but fortunately, I’m not afraid to ask questions and am always open to trying new things.”

“What are your plans after completing your internship and your studies?”

Stefano: “I plan to work in software development or primarily join a user experience design research team.”

“What is one key takeaway or lesson you've learned during your time with us that you would want to share?”

Stefano: “Be humble enough to recognize that I won’t have all the answers when it comes to providing solutions; however, with my support, the experts (or founders) will.”

Alana got a job!

We are excited to announce that exceptional lab intern, Alana, has officially joined the Pattern Bioscience team!

During their internship, Alana demonstrated outstanding technical skills, a strong work ethic, a passion for innovation, and was truly delightful to be around. We are thrilled that she is taking on new challenges and growth in her career.

Congratulations, Alana – we’re looking forward to all the great things you’ll accomplish in the future!

Pipetting Competition Video - Watch to see who won!

ABI interns worked as a team to develop a hands-on experience that allows Manor High School students to explore the world of biotechnology up close. From brainstorming ideas, to designing interactive elements, the interns carefully crafted an activity that sparks curiosity and excitement about science and innovation.

The outreach activity was designed with the goal of making biotech accessible and exciting for younger students. Through fun, interactive demonstrations and real-world applications of laboratory techniques, the interns were able to give high school students a glimpse into what a career in biotech might look like.

Congratulations to all the student interns involved in this project! Their creativity, teamwork, and dedication to this outreach project demonstrate the power of collaboration and the future potential of the biotech field.

Stay tuned for more updates on the great things our interns are accomplishing!

COMPANY SPOTLIGHT

Revolutionizing Targeted Delivery Technologies

We’re excited to shine the spotlight on Qana, a company at the forefront of innovation in targeted delivery technologies. Qana is pioneering groundbreaking approaches that harness the body’s own natural systems to transport critical payloads exactly where they need to go.

Mission & Vision: At the heart of Qana’s mission is a commitment to transforming core biological processes. By leveraging their advanced “delivery” platform, the company seeks to overcome many of the limitations of current delivery technologies and optimize the effectiveness of novel medicines. Their goal is to make precise and efficient delivery a reality, ultimately enhancing the therapeutic potential of treatments and improving patient outcomes.

Innovative Approach:Qana’s cutting-edge technologies are built on the concept of utilizing the human body’s own systems for transport, a truly game-changing strategy that offers the potential to revolutionize drug delivery. With a focus on improving precision and targeting, Qana aims to unlock new possibilities for a range of treatments, ensuring that critical payloads reach their destinations with greater accuracy and efficiency.

We’re thrilled to see how Qana is shaping the future of biotech and look forward to seeing the impact of their innovations in the healthcare space!

EVENTS & WEBINARS

Round Rock Chamber Hosts Health & Life Sciences Panel

The Round Rock Chamber is doing incredible work to foster the growth of the life sciences sector in Central Texas. ABI Director, Nancy Lyon, was honored to be invited to participate in a panel discussion focused on the steps needed to advance the industry.

NUCLEATE x ACC BIOSCIENCE INCUBATOR PANEL EVENT

The ACC Biosciences Incubator recently welcomed MBA students from SMU Cox - Williams S. Spears Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership for their inaugural "Austin Trek". Hosted in partnership with the Austin chapter of Nucleate, a student-led organization fostering graduate student-focused biotechnology entrepreneurship, the event featured an engaging panel discussion with current and former ACC Bioscience Incubator tenants. These experienced biotech entrepreneurs shared valuable insights into the life sciences ecosystem, followed by an exclusive tour of ACC's state-of-the-art laboratory facilities. This collaboration exemplifies ACC's commitment to bridging academic excellence with real-world entrepreneurship in Central Texas's growing biotech landscape.

Dell Medical Texas Health Catalyst Demo Day

Fall 2024 BioBash Event 

ABI co-sponsored the Fall 2024 BioBash event on November 12, 2024 and was held here at ACC Highland Campus.

BioBash is the premier networking event in Central Texas giving Life Science professionals the opportunity to build connections to help further our industry.

Stay connected with us on LinkedIn to see upcoming photos from this event!

TOURS

Recently, we had the opportunity to show the Bioscience Incubator to several groups, including:

RESOURCES & OPPORTUNITIES

NEED A CLEANROOM?

UNTIL NEXT TIME…

Thank you for being a part of our community!

Whether you’re a student who is interested in a career in biotech or a small business in need of a fully equipped and affordable lab space, feel free to reach out.

Nancy Lyon

ACC Bioscience Incubator Director

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