Published Jun 29, 2023 by Taylor Tatum
Home to the Texas Medical Center and its world-renowned health care institutions, as well as a growing number of life sciences companies and developments, it’s no surprise that Houston-area organizations are frequent recipients of competitive health care grants, especially for cancer research.
So far this year, Houston-area companies and institutions have received nearly $106 million in funding from the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT), accounting for nearly 66 percent of all CPRIT funding in 2023. The Houston region’s impressive share of funding further establishes its place as a leader in the life sciences sector.
In 2007, Texans voted to create CPRIT, the state’s leading agency in the fight against cancer, to invest in research, create and expand life sciences infrastructure across the state, and advance and expedite breakthroughs and innovation. CPRIT is the second largest cancer research and prevention program in the world, awarding over $6 billion to Texas research institutions and organizations to date through its academic research, prevention, and product development research programs. The organization is responsible for recruiting nearly 300 top researchers to Texas and supporting the establishment, expansion, or relocation of over 50 companies to the state, creating nearly 8,000 permanent jobs in Texas in 2022.
So far in 2023, CPRIT has awarded over 30 grants to a variety of private companies and research and academic institutions located in the Houston region, including:
Top cancer researchers, academic leaders, and CEOs of CPRIT-funded private companies will convene at CPRIT’s Innovations in Cancer Prevention and Research Conference VI in Galveston in October to discuss the progress being made in cancer research, prevention, and product development at medical and academic institutions and in companies and communities across Texas.
The increase in mental illness in Texas can be attributed to several factors, including barriers such as cost, stigma, and a shortage of mental health professionals which limit access to care. Additionally, increased…