[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6481642,"mediaKeyId","5653818-2c8c428742ced4c1efcad70f9d163110","parentId",5653818,"title","CPRIT-backed startup March Biosciences advances CD5 CAR T program after accelerator and grant funding","audioSeconds",583,"startMs",5234000,"endMs",5817000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5653818-2c8c428742ced4c1efcad70f9d163110&start=5234&end=5817","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5653818-2c8c428742ced4c1efcad70f9d163110/thumbnail_5234000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6481642/Texas/CPRIT-backed-startup-March-Biosciences-advances-CD5-CAR-T-program-after-accelerator-and-grant-funding","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6481642-0e808936d40aa760ac6b26116c24d976/orig.mp4?Expires=1770516632&Signature=E27ZcLYqza3duuqjm8Do~~c20SHxhhtUYan43ZFQPxV22Qv3I7C9WGytM0NSB0159iCEOo0nw~F1bKX5cDfk5wtSxoCswsREJmUU4sSkWluFJj-xvec2WhLjjdAqCO4mz48AYVeDsF2tCe~ihmtILKxxxL2t1zGFqkf5aQjpQEBwnrDxDERs31qTHMYFxpLTrHqhf7mGmCgRCk8izcoNQi8fVYHlbslmRJHbm2e5qQhkyqkOYtYcyYYfwk07yikGxps9fPYyqoHQvYPRrMXNb9cBNw6uWBSUlrfiNClA9VHyhHsdO8DYTHeOIf5jKSCd31zMkWSQ04k3spx3H-uFkw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT)","date","2025-08-21T22:09:58.523Z","article","March Biosciences, a Houston-based cell-therapy company that received seed support through CPRIT-funded accelerator programs and a CPRIT grant, reported clinical progress on its CD5-directed autologous CAR T program (MB105) during the Aug. 20 CPRIT oversight meeting.

Founder and CEO Sarah Hine told the oversight committee that MB105, being developed initially for T-cell lymphomas, produced promising complete responses in early academic-phase work that informed the company’s launch. March Biosciences said it has dosed 10 patients in a multisite Phase 1/2 study and expects to complete the stage-1 cohort of 15 patients and report results by the end of the year. Hine said the product so far shows robust in‑patient expansion and a safety profile consistent with prior institutional data.

Hine described a development pathway that included participation in the Texas Medical Center Accelerator for Cancer Therapeutics and a CPRIT award that helped the company transition manufacturing from an academic setting into a more scalable production model. She said CPRIT funding and local institutional support were instrumental in attracting Series A investors and other partners, enabling March Biosciences to hire staff in Houston and advance a national trial with anchor Texas sites.

Why it matters: The company’s progress illustrates how CPRIT-funded accelerator programs and state grants can help translate academic-stage therapies into commercial clinical development and help retain biotech operations and jobs in Texas.

Less-critical details: Hine described operational stumbles typical of early-stage biotech, said that CPRIT staff worked collaboratively during budget negotiations, and emphasized a goal to create local operational talent by training staff through the startup’s growth.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","CPRIT Oversight Committee Meeting (August 20, 2025)","oneSentenceSummary","March Biosciences, a CPRIT-supported company that emerged from the Texas Medical Center accelerator, reported early clinical progress in a CD5-directed CAR T trial and said CPRIT funding helped catalyze Series A support.","taxTitle","Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT), Departments and Agencies, Executive, Texas","taxId",17113,"location","Texas","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6481647,"CTAC: CPRIT-funded clinical trials expand; new RFAs to boost rural trial capacity and clinical-trialist recruitment",1025,5959000,6984000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5653818-2c8c428742ced4c1efcad70f9d163110&start=5959&end=6984","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5653818-2c8c428742ced4c1efcad70f9d163110/thumbnail_5959000.jpg","/articles/6481647/Texas/CTAC-CPRIT-funded-clinical-trials-expand-new-RFAs-to-boost-rural-trial-capacity-and-clinical-trialist-recruitment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6481647-1b69d6e6f3c53f6904a78bcf9c89e4af/orig.mp4?Expires=1770516632&Signature=kMfREA2HYc4TFKkgVJCOrtxlFUyyyecEWYYAJ2mgR5ym2cjTXVQQMGx7IROoapJmq8WO7AUdLHW-ASvoMaUQorsA~2K4jPR5K5494vnOnejvX5lZo~~7ZSM5FeWdJeEnZswYqOpvI475ZMonQXeSMgYciO8if1lDWf~l4WZHKPglUFRhqcUwgcvVbBSbiha07aKxX2J5QNLZpe8XgFyPp824EGQvf7Di~Dd4n-GgJBMuTval0xl9k7a99~9fPgGRgUNKYj3hl2kCxBpVbJ1e5JocSz8yKbQegUwbqJCArXLlFuP1GogL1sBx3hbLIDWCkSfBCEVpUVXV8aqGrme6fg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Clinical Trials Advisory Committee (CTAC) reported to the CPRIT oversight committee on Aug. 20 that CPRIT-supported clinical-trial activity in Texas expanded over the prior year and that CTAC has issued two new RFAs to grow trial capacity in rural and underserved areas.

CTAC co-chair Dr. David Gerber said CPRIT’s portfolio now includes 372 total trials (a 17% increase year over year), 147 active interventional trials (a 20% increase), and cumulative enrollment of 63,782 patients (an 11% increase). CTAC said both interventional and observational trials cover most regions of Texas, and the advisory committee has prioritized expanding access in historically underrepresented regions including West Texas and South Texas.

CTAC highlighted three existing supportive mechanisms and two recently posted RFAs:

- Texas Clinical Trial Participation Award: CPRIT funds to offset patients’ nonmedical costs for participation; sites must serve Texas residents and use income-based eligibility. CTAC noted the Baylor and UT Southwestern sites have reimbursed nearly 100 patients at UT Southwestern alone. CTAC members said reimbursement is provided on a sliding scale to Texas residents with household income below specified thresholds.

- Texas Clinical Trial Network Award: Network active at 10 sites statewide; CTAC said recent additions in Lubbock (Covenant Health) and Abilene (Hendrick Medical Center) extend outreach beyond the I-35/I-45 corridor.

- New RFAs posted in August: the Clinical Trials Accelerator Award (seed funding up to $900,000 over up to three years) to establish infrastructure and trial-ready capacity at community oncology practices, critical access hospitals, federally qualified health centers and safety-net providers in rural or medically underserved Texas locations; and the Recruitment or Retention of Clinical Trialists Award (support packages up to $2 million to $3 million over five years depending on rank) to recruit or retain qualified oncology trial investigators in rural and underserved communities.

Gerber said CTAC’s recent outreach includes webinars for sponsors and CROs, and the network’s participation in industry alliances to increase trial visibility. CTAC leaders emphasized that trial access requires local investigators and operational capacity and that the new RFAs aim to create that capacity in underserved regions.

Why it matters: CTAC’s actions signal a targeted strategy to expand equitable access to cancer clinical trials across Texas, reduce financial barriers for participants, and build local trial leadership outside major academic centers.

Less-critical details: CTAC noted national efforts to clarify reimbursement tax treatment remain unresolved, and CTAC recognized the recent closure of a national reimbursement pilot (Lazarus Impact) as underscoring the importance of CPRIT-funded reimbursement programs.","The Clinical Trials Advisory Committee reported increased CPRIT trial activity and new funding opportunities to build trial infrastructure and recruit trial leaders in rural and underserved Texas communities.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6481651,"CPRIT CEO says agency preserved in legislature, budget includes supplemental funding and staff increases",314,88000,402000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5653818-2c8c428742ced4c1efcad70f9d163110&start=88&end=402","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5653818-2c8c428742ced4c1efcad70f9d163110/thumbnail_88000.jpg","/articles/6481651/Texas/CPRIT-CEO-says-agency-preserved-in-legislature-budget-includes-supplemental-funding-and-staff-increases","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6481651-01732b2af2dbc2d6ac04c9fda84360cb/orig.mp4?Expires=1770516632&Signature=HTcueTcdcAjCf8KuCvSBW5b3GdUduJylLFPGgFIMXQDqdZ1qrYhILfnj27ICtwz~zBLo6DhEJAc45aif159WoHPiyzYI2aqC1xeKLvw2KIc4P0vlTsDPMAx7ZimhyiGh9diUhrwsJtXpdIuYtUNmRDM9zxUzArh3MVatS3HHxZVbEu8fVVxde2zYV2UpLuJ8-HNzFjTdz4VUiljEOoZg~mwz0hkgI91VPwnUJelwt~WdMkFBMrNR2VZQT6pZHbRYmMp2WzAcEOwNkntsDdJ-mWf-F8dnSDUJsVXkIwAoRYPY1hYGee9keDnRVM6uu4hiGN0JKpz1CggBCgT4RlvtQw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Kristen Doyle, chief executive officer of the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas, told the oversight committee on Aug. 20 that five bills directly addressing CPRIT did not pass during the most recent legislative cycle and that the agency retained its appropriations.

Doyle said CPRIT did well on appropriations, including full funding to support the Texas Cancer Registry and additional supplemental capital funding that allowed the agency to accelerate a planned grant-management platform upgrade. She told members that because the supplemental appropriation placed the grant-management platform funding in the capital budget, CPRIT could begin the project this summer instead of waiting until Sept. 1.

She also reported that the agency had been approved for additional full-time positions: CPRIT currently operates at 51 FTEs while its approved level had been 44; the agency was approved to move to 54 FTEs, effective Sept. 1.

Doyle described a forthcoming hybrid work policy, effective Sept. 1, that will require employees to work in the office at least 20 hours per week while allowing up to 20 hours of remote work. She said the change reflects a desire to preserve remote-work benefits while rebuilding day-to-day office collaboration and institutional knowledge transfer.

Doyle summarized other items in her written report, including a legislative attorney-client style reference to a Senate bill (SB 2796) that had a committee hearing on return-on-investment provisions. She also noted that CPRIT will continue to monitor federal actions that could affect grantee matching rules, and that the state auditor’s office has notified CPRIT it will be subject to an efficiency audit ahead of the agency’s sunset review.

Why it matters: The CEO’s report signals continuity of CPRIT’s budget and operations, a near-term ramp-up for a grant-management platform replacement, and modest near-term staff growth—factors likely to affect CPRIT’s grant processing speed and program operations over the next 12 months.

Less-critical details: Doyle thanked staff involved in recruitment and HR, noted several retirements and transitions in scientific leadership, and said the agency will host and participate in several outreach events for grantees in the months ahead.","CEO Kristen Doyle reported to the CPRIT oversight committee that bills directly affecting the agency did not pass, that CPRIT retained appropriations and received supplemental capital funding, and that staffing and a hybrid work policy will change Sept. 1.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6481656,"CPRIT oversight committee approves 15 academic research awards totaling nearly $27.6 million",1438,1812000,3250000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5653818-2c8c428742ced4c1efcad70f9d163110&start=1812&end=3250","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5653818-2c8c428742ced4c1efcad70f9d163110/thumbnail_1812000.jpg","/articles/6481656/Texas/CPRIT-oversight-committee-approves-15-academic-research-awards-totaling-nearly-276-million","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6481656-aa394e1eeeb0880db18554f14615a287/orig.mp4?Expires=1770516632&Signature=apVieC-e7moaPAurHZuR4k9wNnWAFciWp0nDDN-8f5O0ydE5RBmtuN1RS5ZqyVGYBHIuH9lq08g7-UrcuIcDk2cmdrIER4Rw1xt6hkGQYi6cmvDCyNwhskfB~yel8cmat81lYpMsjbdq~6D-9Hc~RM4FkxGgU3kgXaP-45aMw1t02-qnbq68Xk2YyfdRZYCgo4VQ3Qm7PaWT9GNJ-7CQcK89p55nwm9TtDIFCreb0xpm~A1P6YxsRxd2SqlcLGRi3CYMyraQFuiJMOCQP2xmmB7bngYwzFdA4JRXZvcgSmxVtKGwv7R-RyeWK0v6Bep4f65RAJloBa4CLj0ngdcscw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) oversight committee on Aug. 20 approved 15 academic research grant recommendations from the Program Integration Committee totaling nearly $27.6 million, and delegated contract negotiation and signature authority to the CEO.

The approvals covered multiple award mechanisms, including core facility support awards, early clinical investigator awards, high-impact/high-risk research awards, a TREC pilot study award, recruitment of established investigators, and recruitment of first-time tenure-track faculty members. Dr. Scott Hiebert, CPRIT chief scientific officer, said the slate included awards intended to strengthen childhood and adolescent-cancer research, computational oncology and AI work, and prevention and early-detection projects across Texas.

The oversight committee heard that the Scientific Review Council reconvened after some prior declines freed funds, enabling the committee to bring additional applications forward for funding. The PIC recommended 15 awards across the listed mechanisms, representing about $27.6 million in requested funding.

Mister Burgess, CPRIT chief compliance officer, certified that the applications followed CPRIT’s peer-review process, and the chair noted that no oversight committee member reported a conflict on the proposed awards. A motion to approve all PIC slates carried after members present voted in favor. The committee then voted to delegate authority to the CEO and staff to negotiate and sign contracts on behalf of CPRIT.

Why it matters: The awards expand CPRIT’s investments in early-stage and translational cancer science in Texas, funding both infrastructure (core facilities) and investigator recruitment aimed at sustaining research capacity in the state.

The oversight committee will now authorize CPRIT staff to begin contract negotiations with awardees and implement the funded work as specified in the grant materials. The committee’s approvals were recorded during the public meeting; members asked that individual grant administration continue to follow CPRIT’s established compliance and monitoring processes.

Less-critical details: The PIC noted particular interest in core facility support at the Texas Medical Center and a data science and AI core from UT Southwestern intended to extend analytic capacity into more of North Texas’ catchment area. The slate also included several first-time recruitments and awards focused on osteosarcoma, lung and prostate cancers, and computational methods.","The Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas oversight committee approved 15 academic research grant recommendations covering multiple mechanisms and delegated contract-signing authority to the CEO.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

CPRIT-backed startup March Biosciences advances CD5 CAR T program after accelerator and grant funding

CTAC: CPRIT-funded clinical trials expand; new RFAs to boost rural trial capacity and clinical-trialist recruitment

CPRIT CEO says agency preserved in legislature, budget includes supplemental funding and staff increases

CPRIT oversight committee approves 15 academic research awards totaling nearly $27.6 million