Accelerator for Cancer Medical Devices (ACMD)
Accelerator for Cancer Medical Devices (ACMD)
Program Overview
The Accelerator for Cancer Medical Devices (ACMD) bridges the gap between early-stage innovation and commercialization for precision cancer technologies. The program helps researchers, entrepreneurs, and clinicians develop new cancer-focused medical devices through hands-on training, expert mentorship, and technical support.
This program is supported by the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT), Grant ID RP250457.
Curriculum
Participants receive guidance in business development, regulatory strategy, and device translation, along with access to a Prototyping Core equipped with high-resolution 3D printing and computational simulation tools. This approach allows innovators to efficiently create functional prototypes and prepare their devices for clinical and commercial use.
Funded by the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT), ACMD addresses a key need for early-stage prototyping and commercialization support in cancer medical devices.
The program includes four main components:
- Device Business Management & Development Curriculum
- Device Translation Curriculum
- Device Prototyping and Simulation Core Facility
- Educational Outreach Program
Through these components, participants build prototypes, refine regulatory and business strategies, and learn how to move their products toward clinical deployment.
Network
The Accelerator for Cancer Medical Devices (ACMD) Innovation Advisory Committee is comprised of experts in cancer medical device commercialization who are committed to ensuring that program participants have the highest quality experience and resources to advance cancer medical device commercialization efforts within Texas.
Feibi Zheng, M.D., M.B.A., FACS
Assistant Professor of Surgery, Co-Director, INSTINCT, Baylor College of Medicine
Bret Boudousquie
Chief Executive Officer, Stratus Medical
Rima Chakrabarti, M.D.
Partner, KdT Ventures
Justin E. Bird, M.D.
Associate Professor, Department of Orthopaedic Oncology, MD Anderson
TMCi Team
Thomas Luby, PhD
Chief Innovation Officer
Billy Cohn, M.D.
Director of CDI@TMC
Jason H. Sakamoto, PhD
Associate Director of CDI@TMC
Head of TMC Biodesign
Devin Dunn, MPH
Director of Innovation Accelerators
Megan Noland, MHA, LSSBB
Innovation Program Manager
David McDonough
Entrepreneur in Residence, MedTech
Key Program Benefits
ACMD is housed within CDI@TMC, located inside the TMC Innovation Factory, a supportive environment built to advance medical technology and accelerate the translation of research into real-world impact. The space offers rapid prototyping, advanced 3D printing and mechanical testing, and a fully stocked tool crib for hands-on device iteration. Participants have access to machine shop expertise, medtech-focused programming, strategy sessions with industry experts, and meeting spaces.
Program benefits include:
- Access to the CPRIT Prototyping Core Facility with high-resolution 3D printing for precise micro-scale device fabrication, supporting the development of sophisticated cancer technologies such as organoid chips, microfluidic platforms, and cell sorting systems.
- Computational Simulation Core support with a dedicated computational engineer for in silico modeling, allowing investigators to optimize device designs and iterate prototypes efficiently without the expense of physical fabrication.
- Comprehensive training in business development, regulatory strategy, and device translation.
- One-on-one mentorship from leaders in medical device innovation and commercialization.
- Support for grant writing, including SBIR/STTR and regulatory consulting.
- Opportunities to validate early-stage technologies and prepare for clinical and market readiness.
- Integration within the Texas Medical Center’s collaborative ecosystem, connecting innovators to investors, clinicians, and researchers.
Info Sessions
Please save the dates and join our next info sessions to learn more about ACMD.
Cohorts
Applications to join the 2026 ACMD cohort will open in April 2026.