The Michael E. DeBakey Memorial Life Science Award is given each year to the undiscovered life science company with the highest potential to commercialize an important product at the annual Texas Life Science Conference. The first DeBakey Award was given to ThromboVision, Inc. in 2006.
Dr. DeBakey’s rich history in Houston and the Texas Medical Center, along with his pioneering spirit, truly embodied the qualities that we are seeking in future recipients of this award. Some of Dr. DeBakey’s most renowned contributions included the concept of the Mobile Army Surgical Hospitals (MASH units), performing the first successful artificial heart transplant, playing an instrumental role in the development of the Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) and being the first to successfully implant the device into a human. Additionally, he served as consultant to almost every U.S. President in this century and received many prestigious awards, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinction, the highest honor a U.S. citizen can receive.
2008 Winner
Visualase, Inc. was the winner of the 2008 Michael E. DeBakey Memorial Life Science Award. Visualase, Inc. is focused on product development, clinical evaluations, manufacturing, and marketing of advanced laser and image-guided technologies for thermal ablation markets. Judged by national and local venture capitalists attending the 2008 Texas Life Science Conference, Visualase was selected over its peers as having the best potential for commercialization. In addition to the cash prize, Visualase will receive a pro bono provisional patent filing from Baker & McKenzie LLP and premier visibility for the year in all BioHouston programs. To provide further support, BioHouston will offer low cost, short-term office space to help further close the funding gaps typically faced by these companies. Lastly, after coaching by a select group of national and local venture capitalists for 2009, Visualase will attend a national venture conference with BioHouston in 2010.
2007 Winner
OrthoAccel Technologies, Inc. was the winner of the 2007 Michael E. DeBakey Award. OrthoAccel Technologies, Inc. designs, develops, and markets a revolutionary device that cuts treatment time for braces in half and works in combination with all existing orthodontia bracket technologies. A panel of venture capitalists awarded OrthoAccel Technologies the DeBakey Life Science Award based on its exceptional potential in commercializing its technology. In addition to the cash prize, OrthoAccel received a pro bono provisional patent filing from Baker & McKenzie LLP and premier visibility for the year in all BioHouston programs. To provide further support to the emerging companies that win this award, BioHouston will offer low cost, short-term office space to help further close the funding gaps typically faced by these companies. OrthoAccel will become our newest resident company at the beginning of 2008.
2006 Winner
ThromboVision, Inc. was the winner of our 2006 Michael E. DeBakey Award. ThromboVision provides point of service diagnostics products. The company aims to develop diagnostic solutions that improve clinical and economic outcomes for anti-platelet therapy and cardiovascular risk assessment and modification. ThromboVision was selected on the basis of commercial potential from among 18 start-up biotechnology and life science companies making presentations to venture capitalists and corporate executives at the conference.
