Houston Driving the Biotech Future with Partnerships that Span a Thriving Ecosystem

Leaders in research, innovation, investment, manufacturing, and workforce development all leading the way for growth in regional biotech sector

30, September 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Houston, Texas – Last week, the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology (NSCEB) spent three days exploring the fast-growing Houston biotech ecosystem and learning from leaders across industry, academia, and government. The Greater Houston Partnership hosted many of the Commission’s meetings in conjunction with the University of Houston’s Technology Bridge innovation hub and the Texas Medical Center.

“The size of the biotech ecosystem in Houston is staggering,” said NSCEB Vice Chair Michelle Rozo. “The scale of local research and innovation is matched only by the commitment of leaders from across the government and private sector. In our report, we found that leveraging government action to unlock private investment is the key to fully embracing the beneficial impact of biotechnology. That dynamic is on display in Houston, and the local workforce and economy are already reaping the benefits.”

Event details:

On Wednesday, Vice Chair Rozo joined leaders at the University of Houston to discuss the region’s biotech outlook and tour the University’s Technology Bridge innovation hub. She closed the day at a Biotech Innovation Showcase to see Houston’s industry in action.

On Thursday, NSCEB toured Cemvita’s industrial biomanufacturing facility before heading to the Texas Medical Center (TMC) for an overview of the multi-layered partnership ecosystem of researchers, entrepreneurs, and investors who are bringing today’s biotech innovations to life. They also toured TMC’s biomanufacturing incubator lab, as well as the mobile lab that brings hands-on biotech experience to local high school students as part of TMC’s BioPath program.

NSCEB then held a discussion on current efforts to expand biotech training programs with workforce development leaders from around the region, an ended the day with a presentation of biotech in space from NASA’s In Space Production Applications (InSPA) program.

On Friday, NSCEB was honored to attend the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Center for Biotechnology at San Jacinto Community College. The center will enable the expansion of a regional workforce trained in the cutting-edge technology and skills needed to support the region’s growing bioeconomy.

Event hosts:

“Houston’s unmatched mix of industries — spanning health care, aerospace, energy, manufacturing, and academia — creates a collaborative ecosystem where innovation accelerates. Our biotech ecosystem is not defined by one institution, one part of our region or even one industry sector — it’s powered by the collaboration of many. Solving complex challenges requires an all-hands approach, and Houston is uniquely positioned to advance breakthrough technologies at scale.” Verena Kallhoff, Sr. Director of Global Life Sciences at the Greater Houston Partnership.

“We are so pleased to host the round table and tour with NSCEB as it represents a critical step in advancing decisive action to strengthen and deploy biotechnology leaders at scale by engaging with academic and industry leaders in the Energy Capital and the home of the largest medical center in the world. The advancement of scalable medical, space, materials and energy focused biotechnology requires the Houston region to engage in the national conversation and the field visit by the Commission is notable first step.” Ramanan Krishnamoorti, Vice President of Energy and Innovation at the University of Houston.

“Economic development and life sciences innovation are at the heart of the Texas Medical Center. We were proud to welcome the commission to our campus and show firsthand why Houston is a leader in biotechnology, providing advanced research, clinical trials, and translational work within our collaborative ecosystem,” said Ashley McPhail, chief external affairs and administration officer at Texas Medical Center. “Recognizing the importance of workforce development, TMC has created BioPath to introduce biomanufacturing to high school students throughout the Houston region to meet the growing biotech demand crucial to our nation’s security and public health. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with the commission as they chart a course to ensure we remain at the forefront of biotechnology.”

“It was an honor to host the NSCEB delegation at our Houston facility. At Cemvita, we believe the future of industrial biotech lies in learning from nature to create solutions that are both sustainable and scalable. The NSCEB visit was a powerful moment to showcase how our team is fermenting the future. It’s always exciting to share how nature’s playbook is helping us rewrite the rules of industrial innovation.” Moji Karimi, CEO Cemvita.

Event participants included:

Baylor College of Medicine

Bio Houston

BioVeritas, LLC

BioWell

BridgeYear

City of Pearland EDC

CrossBridge Bio

CTMC

CUBiO Innovation Hub

First Bight Ventures

Greater Houston Partnership

Gulf Coast Consortia at Rice University

Gulf Coast Workforce Board

Houston Angel Network

Houston ISD

Houston Methodist

Immatics, Inc.

Learning Undefeated

Loop Bioproducts

March BioSciences

Office of Congressman Pete Sessions

Office of Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia

Office of Senator Ted Cruz

Portal Innovations

Ridgeline Therapeutic

San Jacinto College Center for Biotechnology

Texas A&M University

Texas Healthcare & Bioscience Institute

Texas Medical Center

TX RX Labs

UH Clear Lake

UH Clear Lake

University of Houston

University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB)

VIA Biofuels

Vitrian
Yokogawa Corporation of America

Biotech Across America Roadshow: The Commission is hitting the road to highlight biotechnology across America, including the companies, academic institutions, workforce development programs, and policy initiatives that are driving the future for this rapidly growing industry. Commissioners will continue learning about the work being done across this vibrant ecosystem while engaging on the key findings and recommendations from the Commission’s recent report to Congress.

About NSCEB: The National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology is a time-limited, high-impact legislative branch advisory entity whose purpose is to advance and secure biotechnology, biomanufacturing, and associated technologies for U.S. national security and to prepare the United States for the bioindustrial revolution. The Commission published a comprehensive report in April 2025, including recommendations for action by Congress and the federal government. The bipartisan Commission is composed of Congressionally-appointed Commissioners with members from both the Senate and the House of Representatives as well as experts from industry, academia, and government. For more information about the Commission and to view the report, visit: biotech.senate.gov.

Contacts:

NSCEB: press@biotech.senate.gov