The Oklahoma Biotech Innovation Cluster Initiative, a coalition spearheaded by the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber alongside primary coalition partners including OU and OU Health, and with industry leadership and vision from Echo Investment Capital, has been awarded $35 million through the Build Back Better Regional Challenge of the U.S. Economic Development Administration. Four of the six components of the initiative, totaling $24.9 million, will fund:
- The University of Oklahoma Biotech Core Facility: a new facility with state-of-the-art high-throughput, advanced bioprocessing equipment and services.
- Oklahoma Biotech Startup Program: supportive programming to build a vibrant regional biotech startup pipeline led by the University of Oklahoma.
- OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center for Therapeutics - Translational Research Labs: development of 10 translational research labs dedicated to drug discovery within the SCC.
- OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center Early Phase Clinical Trial Network: an initiative to double the size of the existing clinical trial program at SCC, commensurate with the demand for Phase I trials created through accompanying translational science investments and industry growth.
