- This event has passed.
RNA Therapeutics Seminar: John Cooke, M.D., Ph.D., Medical Director, Center for RNA Therapeutics, Houston Methodist
Monday, October 17, 2022 @ 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
“The Democratization of RNA Therapeutics”
John Cooke, M.D., Ph.D.
Joseph C. “Rusty” Walter and Carole Walter Looke Presidential Distinguished Chair in Cardiovascular Disease Research, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences
Chair, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences
Professor of Cardiovascular Sciences, Academic Institute
Full Member, Research Institute
Director, Center for Cardiovascular Regeneration
Medical Director, Center for RNA Therapeutics
Houston Methodist
In-person: BSRB, ABC room with zoom option
Abstract: mRNA therapeutics is a disruptive therapeutic technology, as small biotech startups, as well as academic groups, can rapidly develop new and personalized mRNA constructs. In the Texas Medica Center, we have established a Center for RNA Therapeutics that comprises faculty innovators, as well as a translational assembly line to bring great RNA ideas to life. Academic groups and small companies work with us as we innovate, design, synthesize, purify, encapsulate and test mRNA therapies. In addition to providing pre-clinical GLP testing, we have established cGMP-compliant manufacturing capability and quality control methods to support pre-clinical GLP studies and phase I clinical trials; and have a first-in-man phase 1 clinical trial unit. To support phase II and phase III trials, and commercialization, we have licensed our proprietary manufacturing processes to VGXI Inc, a local company with large-batch manufacturing capabilities for DNA-based gene therapies. With this collaboration, we have built a seamless transition for academic groups and small companies to go from pre-clinical development and first-in-man clinical trials supported by our hospital-based program, to late-stage clinical trials and commercialization supported by our industry partner VGXI, Inc.