HOUSTON (November 4, 2014) – The Center for Cell and Organ Biotechnology (CCOB) convened its External Commercialization Advisory Group (ECAG) here on Nov. 4, 2014, to discuss commercialization opportunities for the research collaboration between the Texas Heart Institute (THI) and the Texas A&M University (TAMU) College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences.

From left: Dr. Eleanor Green, Chair of the CCOB Oversight Board and Dean of the TAMU College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Dr. James T. Willerson, President, Texas Heart Institute, and Dr. Doris Taylor, CCOB Director and Director of THI Regenerative Medicine Research Program

The group is chaired by Dr. Richard Dixon, Director of THI’s Wafic Said Molecular Cardiology Research Lab. The quarterly meeting for the group is being co-hosted by Dr. Doris Taylor, CCOB Director and Director of THI Regenerative Medicine Research Program, and Dr. Eleanor Green, Chair of the CCOB Oversight Board and Dean of the TAMU College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences.

Members of the ECAG include Thomas Gunderson, Managing Director and Senior Healthcare Analyst with Piper Jaffray and Co from Minneapolis, Dr. Rosemary Mazanet, with R. Mazanet, LLC from Chestnut Hill, MA, Dr. Gail Naughton, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Histogen, Inc. from San Diego, Brett Cornwell, Associate Vice Chancellor for Commercialization for the Texas A&M University System from College Station, and Deborah Mansfield, Director of Life Sciences Acceleration from the Houston Technology Center representing the Texas Emerging Technology Fund Gulf Coast Regional Center of Innovation and Commercialization. The CCOB was launched in 2013 with a $3 million grant from the TETF and matching funds from Texas A&M and THI.

---

About the Texas Heart® Institute
The Texas Heart Institute (www.texasheart.org), founded by world-renowned cardiovascular surgeon Dr. Denton A. Cooley in 1962, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing the devastating toll of cardiovascular disease through innovative and progressive programs in research, education and improved patient care. Together with its clinical partner, CHI St. Luke’s Health-Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center, it has been ranked among the top cardiovascular centers in the United States by U.S. News & World Report’s annual guide to “America’s Best Hospitals” for the past 24 years. The Texas Heart Institute is also affiliated with the University of Texas (UT) System, which promotes collaboration in cardiovascular research and education among UT and THI faculty at the Texas Heart Institute and other UT components.

About the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences
From its early beginning in 1916, the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences served the livestock industry in the State of Texas. Dr. Mark Francis, the first dean of the college, is credited with proving that the tick was responsible for Texas Cattle Fever – a disease that had plagued Texas cattle ranchers since the late 1700s. Since that time, the CVM has grown to one of the leading colleges of veterinary medicine in the United States, and is home to internationally known faculty. Through commitment to teaching, research, and service, CVM faculty, staff, and students are making discoveries today that impact the health of humans and animals worldwide. For more information on the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, visit http://vetmed.tamu.edu.

Contact:
Frank Michel
fmichel@texasheart.org
832-355-9510