Cultivating Innovation: Inside TMC’s Biodesign Program
Here at Texas Medical Center, we stand firm on the belief in research and innovation as the key ingredients for advancing healthcare. Our Biodesign program was designed for just that –to serve as a launchpad for the next generation of healthcare entrepreneurs by fostering a collaborative environment and providing an abundance of resources that are helping to shape the future of medical innovation.
How it all started
Since 2015, we have had two objectives: increase the startup density within Houston and expand the pool of talent in the life sciences sector within our region. By attracting innovators from across the country—and even globally—TMC is fostering an ecosystem where ideas are born and brought to fruition and where community thrives on collaboration and creativity.
Biodesign founders
TMC Innovation’s Biodesign program attracts individuals from across the nation who share an appreciation for curiosity and a high tolerance for risk – all of which are essential components of entrepreneurship. The Biodesign program participants come from three main backgrounds:
- Clinicians, mainly medical professionals, bring firsthand experience in healthcare challenges.
- Scientists and engineers with PhDs or engineering backgrounds provide innovative technical solutions.
- Business professionals with MBAs or a strong business background excel at navigating the commercial landscape.
These groups form a dynamic, collaborative team that works together to solve critical healthcare problems. According to Jason Sakamoto, Head of the TMCi Biodesign Program, during the program, the selected cohort receives an abundance of resources that allows them to focus entirely on innovation without the typical financial pressures of a startup. “TMC provides a safety net that includes a full-time salary and health benefits, enabling fellows to fully devote themselves to their entrepreneurial journey.”
Selecting the right candidates is a timely process that thoroughly examines each applicant. “We receive between 150 and more applications during each enrollment cycle. The selection process is designed to identify individuals who demonstrate drive, curiosity, and resilience.”
The journey through Biodesign
Once selected, founders spend the first month and a half without assignment to teams or projects. Instead, they have the freedom to explore a variety of medical specialties, shadow professionals, and identify which clinical problems facing the population resonate with them. From there, participants are tasked with forming teams –a critical part of the program. “Founders must find co-founders who not only share their vision, but also complement their skillsets, personalities, and collaboration style,” said Sakamoto. “From there, the teams look into the problem they’ve chosen, spending three to four months diving deep into research and interviews, gathering insights from every involved stakeholder.”
Problem to prototype
Once teams identify the problem, they explore and develop various concepts or solutions and then select the best ideas with guidance from mentors and partners at TMC. TMC provides each team with resources and over $70,000 in funding to help teams refine and launch their best ideas. By the end of the program, teams aim to generate proof-of-concept data, positioning them to secure additional seed money for early startup costs and bring their innovations to market.
According to Sakamoto, TMC’s involvement and commitment does not end at the final stages of the program. “We encourage Biodesign alumni to keep utilizing TMC Innovation’s resources, network, and mentorship as they grow beyond the program. Several ventures have received investment from the TMC Venture Fund when Biodesign companies are raising their Series A rounds, helping both new and experienced entrepreneurs develop and market their innovations.”
The Biodesign program has remained strong in its success stories and impact. Alumni have collectively raised over $130 million in funding, with 15 active companies. Some of these organizations have achieved FDA regulatory approval, underscoring the real-world impact of innovations fueled by TMC. Companies such as Alleviant Medical, which recently secured significant funding and launched their pivotal clinical trial, and IntuiTap Medical, which received FDA approval earlier in 2024, have made rapid advancements and significant strides in digital health.
For individuals interested in joining the Biodesign program, we strongly encourage you to apply.