After retreating from the bond process, Texas Biomed gets $10 million for infrastructure through ARPA
Despite vocal opposition from animal rights activists and others, city council voted Thursday to give $10 million to Texas Biomedical Research Institute for infrastructure improvements at its campus.
Texas Biomed pulls $11M bond project request after complaints over primate testing
Texas Biomed had requested money from the $1.2 billion bond program to improve infrastructure at its aging campus. But a citizen committee charged with recommending which projects should get funding received numerous public comments opposing the institute’s request, based on Texas Biomed’s use of primates for animal testing.
PETA asks feds to penalize San Antonio lab after 159 of its baboons suffered amputations from frostbite
Nearly 160 baboons in captivity at San Antonio's Texas Biomedical Research Institute (TBRI) suffered amputations due to frostbite from February's disastrous winter storm, according to...
sacurrent.comTexas BioMed CEO reflects on its crucial role in vaccine development
The vaccines had to first undergo clinical trials using volunteers, but to do so safely, pharmaceutical companies like Pfizer asked Texas BioMed for its help. However, Schlesinger said the work at Texas BioMed isn’t over. “We’re understanding how our animal models perform with regard to the variants,” he said. Schlesinger said it’s also identifying and validating animal models that are essential for testing new therapies and more vaccines. AdTexas BioMed is working with up to 30 companies performing clinical studies and validations recognized by the FDA, Schlesinger said.
New study shows antibodies help in fight against COVID-19
Hallam said this is critical in finding treatments for COVID-19 patients. Hallam said researchers are ready to take this research to the next phase. “The team working on this antibody thinks it has a high probability in their preclinical models of stopping the virus,” Hallam said. “You can see companies trying to do these things in parallel, the development work, the animal studies, the safety studies. “What you’ll probably see after that are additional follow on modifications, more effective therapeutics or vaccines that might then move forward.”
San Antonio Robotics Firm Becomes First to Prove Its Robots Kill Coronavirus
Xenex is an evidence-based company; were focused on our claims being backed by scientific research, Xenex spokeswoman Melinda Hart said. But as one of many disinfecting robots on the market, Xenex needed to set itself apart from the group. Dr. Ricardo Carrion and his team of six scientists have been leading the research on the novel coronavirus and they were the ones who tested the LightStrike robots efficacy against it. After each interval, the researchers tested the number of viral particles remaining on surfaces, Texas Biomed President and CEO Dr. Larry Schlesinger said. A LightStrike robot costs about $100,000, Hart said, and Xenex also provides leasing options for customers.
therivardreport.comTexas Biomed Receives $3M to Expand Coronavirus Studies
Researchers will use the funds to amplify efforts to investigate how SARS-CoV-2 the virus that causes COVID-19 or the novel coronavirus affects animals. Previously, research was limited to studying the effects on baboons, but now will include macaques, marmosets, mice, and guinea pigs. Researching multiple species rather than just one allows scientists to gain a better understanding of the diseases progression, said Dr. Larry Schlesinger, president and CEO of Texas Biomed. They also will help provide scientists with more information on how the human body could respond to treatments or vaccines. This is why we exist, Schlesinger said of Texas BioMed.
therivardreport.comH-E-B donates $3M to help feed needy, fund coronavirus research project
SAN ANTONIO – H-E-B announced Monday that it will give $3 million to provide food for the needy and fund a local research project to battle the spread of the coronavirus. According to a news release, the Texas grocer will donate $1.2 million to support 18 food banks throughout the state, including the San Antonio Food Bank. “During these trying times, H-E-B is here for Texas,” said Winell Herron, H-E-B Group Vice President of Public Affairs, Diversity and Environmental Affairs. H-E-B will donate $300,000 to help the Texas Biomedical Research Institute, a San Antonio-based organization that is conducting coronavirus research. Abbott declares statewide emergency over coronavirus pandemic· What we know: San Antonio tourism hotspots impacted by the coronavirus
Second Annual Rivard Report Medical Forum Focuses on Billion-Dollar Research Partnership
In the past several years, San Antonios medical, academic, and research sectors have collaborated at an unprecedented rate in an attempt to increase the number of research dollars coming into the city. Knowing they can bring in more money working together than separately, the University of Texas at San Antonio, Southwest Research Institute, UT Health San Antonio, and the Texas Biomedical Research Institute have joined forces on various projects and shared faculty and search teams for talent. People talk about San Antonio being Military City or Cyber City, which is certainly true, but we are now on our way to becoming a knowledge economy city, he said. The luncheon will be held at the Embassy Suites by Hilton San Antonio NW I-10 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., and tickets can be purchased through Oct. 15. Disclosure: UT Health San Antonio is a Rivard Report business member.
therivardreport.comSA researchers studying how drug treatment could be used to decrease effects of aging mind
SAN ANTONIO - San Antonio scientists are conducting research to find out how drug treatment for cancer patients could be used to help decrease the effects of the aging mind of seniors. Texas Biomedical Research Institute professor Marcel Daadi, PhD, is trying to figure out how to reverse the effects of age-related cognitive decline by using drugs already approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Hes using aging baboons to see how a specific drug helps improve their problem-solving skills. Scientists can then see if drugs help improve their solving of the puzzle and their response to the reward. The study is made possible with the support of the William and Ella Owens Medical Research Foundation.