Baylor Chemist Among Innovators Joining TMC’s Accelerator for Cancer Therapeutics to Advance Oncology Treatment in Texas

Media Contact: Lori Fogleman, 254-709-5959
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Baylor University cancer therapeutics researcher Daniel Romo, Ph.D., The Schotts Professor of Chemistry and co-director of the Baylor Synthesis and Drug Lead Discovery Lab, is one of 24 innovators named to the fifth cohort of Texas Medical Center Innovation’s 2025 Accelerator for Cancer Therapeutics (ACT). Innovators like Romo are on the frontlines of advancing cancer treatments, in his case, developing a new therapeutic for the treatment of pancreatic cancer, the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. The ACT program is funded by the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT).

Shifting the paradigm on pancreatic cancer treatment

Romo is a nationally recognized leader in the research of natural products and their derivatives for advances in basic cell biology and drug lead development. His expertise is in the synthesis of naturally occurring small molecules that can yield early drug leads, and his renowned research has led to new synthesis strategies that address diseases like cancer, Alzheimer’s and more. This work with ACT accelerates the urgent need for novel, effective therapies for localized and metastatic pancreatic cancer, specifically pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), the most common type of pancreatic cancer. Using a simplified derivative of a marine sponge-isolated natural product called pateamine A, Romo said a new line of effective therapy can shift the paradigm for this disease.

“My interest in natural products stems back to my undergraduate research days and also a Bible verse [Ezekiel 47:12] that my father first showed me ‘…and their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for healing.’ This has always been an inspiration for me to explore God’s world, including trees, marine organisms, bacteria, fungi, etc., for new ways to help/heal his people,’’ Romo said. “This was quite a blessing, as being a member of this ACT cohort can really facilitate advancing new therapeutics to help people in need. This certainly validates the work we are doing as this is a highly competitive opportunity to get assistance from the CPRIT-funded accelerator.”

Over the nine-month ACT program, Romo will have access to a curated mentor network, grant writing support, computational chemistry resources and the dedicated Entrepreneur-in-Residence program. These resources are designed to equip participants with the strategic insights needed to secure investments, develop partnerships and advance the commercialization of cancer therapeutics in Texas.

Joining Romo in developing the new therapeutic is Susan E. Bates, M.D., a physician-scientist at Columbia University Irving Medical Center who focuses on clinical oncology and drug development. Romo and Dr. Bates have worked together on this project for four years and are co-founders of EpiTranslations LLC. Other partners include Dr. Bates' research associate, Dr. Maryam Safari of Columbia; Kenneth Hull, Ph.D., associate research professor and assistant director of the Baylor Synthesis and Drug-Lead Discovery Lab; and Jonathan Kelber, Ph.D., associate professor of biology at Baylor.

From the research lab to affecting patient outcomes

The ACT opportunity was facilitated by Baylor's Office of Innovation & Economic Development in the Office of the Vice Provost for Research, which supports institution-wide efforts to increase the quality and quantity of activity and outcomes around innovation, startups and job creation. Romo said the support offered through Innovation and Economic Development and guidance from Sarah Anderson, Ph.D., licensing and patent associate, was vital to advance their innovative treatment from the research lab toward commercialization readiness – with an eye on patient outcomes.

“This type of support has been critical in getting us to this point where I, in fact, feel supported to take on such a venture – starting a company, applying for these type of grants – and helping me realize that if you feel strongly about a project like I do, the best way to see it possibly reach patients is to move it forward myself with God’s help,” Romo said.

ACT is already producing success stories. Since its launch in 2021, 77 researchers and companies have participated in the Accelerator, collectively securing over $202 million in funding from NIH, CPRIT and venture capital to advance oncology work. 

“This cohort showcases promising innovations in immunotherapy, precision drug discovery, monoclonal antibodies and diagnostic and therapeutic technologies – all working in unique ways to address unmet medical needs and drive innovative solutions. We are excited to support this group as they move from early-stage discovery to new business milestones by using the resources and collaborative opportunities available on our campus,” said Devin Dunn, Director of Accelerators at Texas Medical Center.

Leading institutions spearheading cancer research and therapeutics

Along with Baylor University, the 2025 ACT cohort includes participants from leading Texas institutions and companies spearheading cancer research and therapeutics such as The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, UTHealth Houston, ARespo Biopharma, CTCELLS, University of Houston, Remunity Therapeutics, ImmuVia, TargTex, The University of Texas at Austin, C-Therapeutics, Project Crest / Apricity Health), Metaclipse Therapeutics, 3852.ai, UT Southwestern Medical Center, NAVAN Technologies, Houston Methodist and ReEngage Therapeutics.

“Since launching ACT, we’ve worked to bridge the gap between oncology research and tangible outcomes by bringing startups to TMC’s collaborative environment, where they can access lab spaces, expert mentorship and funding opportunities to advance their commercialization journey,” said Tom Luby, Chief Innovation Officer at Texas Medical Center. “With over 35 million new cancer cases predicted by 2050, the urgency to develop safer, more effective and personalized treatments cannot be overstated. We remain committed to advancing healthcare innovation through this year’s group of leaders, all working to improve patient outcomes.”

ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY

Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked Research 1 institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 20,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions. Learn more about Baylor University at www.baylor.edu. 

ABOUT TEXAS MEDICAL CENTER (TMC)

Texas Medical Center (TMC) – the world’s most comprehensive life science ecosystem – is at the forefront of advancing life sciences. TMC is on a mission to further accelerate the pace of healing by harnessing our collective expertise in innovation, research, development, production, and patient care within a single, centralized medical ecosystem. With over 70+ million square feet and 120,000+ employees, we will bring a new economic impact of $63 billion, TMC is leveraging the collective power by pioneering a revolutionary life sciences initiative to house the entire treatment life cycle from discovery to delivery, within a single, world-class medical complex, on a scale never before seen.

 ABOUT TMC INNOVATION (TMCI)

Housed in the TMC Innovation Factory, TMC Innovation forms, fosters, recruits, and funds healthcare companies worldwide that are writing the future of healthcare. TMCi performs diligence on the companies seeking to progress toward clinical and business milestones in collaboration with TMC’s Medical Campus member institutions and our global network of advisors and embedded corporate partners. We align these resources through our globally recognized programs:  Biodesign, Accelerator for Cancer Therapeutics, and Health Tech.