CPRIT awards supplemental product-development funding to eight companies; OncoResponse equity tranche contingent on clinical milestone
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Summary
CPRIT approved supplemental awards for product development using a roughly $10 million carryover pool. The agency prioritized existing grantees; OncoResponse received a conditional equity tranche tied to a clinical milestone.
The oversight committee approved supplemental product-development awards for companies that already held active CPRIT grants, using a carryover pool of roughly $10 million.
Why this matters: The supplemental funding aims to accelerate commercialization activities and clinical progress for companies already in CPRIT’s portfolio. CPRIT approved advanced payments contingent on contract execution and tranche conditions.
What the product-development presentation said - Pool and approach: CPRIT staff used about $10 million of carryover from FY25 product-development funds to provide supplemental awards to existing CPRIT-funded companies. The RFA limited awards to a maximum total supplemental request (no single supplemental award above specified percentage rules for seed-stage recipients). - Selection: 23 companies applied, 12 were interviewed and rank-ordered; seven companies received full supplemental awards in FY25 and one company received a partial tranche; remaining funds will be allocated in 26.1.
Companies and program use described in the presentation (spelling as presented in transcript) - OncoResponse: clinical milestone–contingent equity tranche (clinical milestone: outcome from initial small patient cohort) that could trigger an additional $3 million from the FY26 pool if the milestone is met. - InForm AI: AI-driven radiation therapy planning platform to expand clinical validation and integration with treatment planning systems. - Ultram Therapeutics: monoclonal antibody program targeting CD127 for hematological malignancies; expansion into Phase 2a clinical study planned. - Instapath: fluorescence-based fresh tissue imaging platform; supplemental funds for prototype production and pilot clinical evaluation. - Rapamycin Holdings: an improved rapamycin formulation (eRAPA) being developed for familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP); Phase 3 expansion noted and Fast Track designation referenced. - Out of MINDS (as presented in transcript): scaling production of high-purity medical isotopes (ytterbium-176) and validating commercial production. - Pranatha Vrassik (as presented in transcript): METERCore device developer for minimally invasive excision of small lung nodules; funds to expand first-in-human study and regulatory milestones. - Resilience: manufacturing platforms for cell therapies and vector production; supplemental support to scale Texas-based manufacturing and partnerships.
Financial and procedural notes - Total carryover available for supplemental awards was presented as approximately $10,000,000. The oversight committee approved seven companies for FY25 disbursements and the eighth package received partial funding to be completed in FY26 pending milestone completion. - The committee authorized advanced payments (disbursements in advance) upon execution of contract documents and successful completion of tranches for the eight companies.
Vote and next steps - The oversight committee approved the supplemental awards and delegated contract negotiation and signature authority to the CEO and CPRIT staff. Staff will negotiate award terms, equity/tranche conditions (where applicable), and start the contracting process. CPRIT authorized advanced payments upon contract execution and tranche satisfaction.
