> About Us
BioHouston leads efforts to position the region as a global life science hub.
We convene, connect, catalyze and curate a diverse community.
Bolstered by the support of Houston’s academic and research powerhouses, BioHouston, Inc. stands tall as a non-profit tax-exempt [501(c)(3)] corporation. With unwavering confidence, we spearhead a dynamic initiative to position the Houston region as an assertive global force in life science and biotechnology commercialization.
Our resolute mission is to foster an environment that not only sparks technology transfer and research commercialization but also propels the economic wealth of Houston to new heights, securing its standing as a formidable global player in life science commercialization.
Through strategic and impactful activities, BioHouston holds unparalleled influence in propelling the Houston region to the forefront of world-class competition in the life science industry.
Meet our Chairman
Jeff Wade
Jeff Wade serves as Chairman of the Board of BioHouston, bringing decades of leadership and entrepreneurial experience in the biopharmaceutical industry. A passionate advocate for innovation in Texas, Jeff plays a key role in guiding BioHouston’s mission to convene, connect, catalyze, and curate a thriving life sciences ecosystem in the Houston region.
Jeff is a seasoned biopharma executive with deep expertise in strategic direction, capital formation, and building high-impact industry partnerships. He spent over two decades at Lexicon Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: LXRX), where he served in multiple senior leadership roles, including President and Chief Operating Officer. There, he helped lead the company from a start-up to a commercial-stage enterprise, bringing two internally discovered drugs—Xermelo® (telotristat ethyl) and Inpefa® (sotagliflozin)—to market. During his tenure, he secured over $1 billion in equity financing and forged strategic alliances with major pharmaceutical companies, including Bristol-Myers Squibb, Sanofi, and Genentech.
Prior to Lexicon, Jeff was a partner at the law firm Andrews & Kurth, where he specialized in corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, and strategic partnerships. In addition to his leadership at BioHouston, he serves on the board of the Texas Healthcare and Bioscience Institute, further advancing life sciences innovation across the state.
Jeff holds a B.A. (Plan II) and J.D. from The University of Texas at Austin.
> Board of Directors
Executive Committee
Chairman: Jeffrey Wade, JD, President and CFO, Lexicon Pharmaceuticals
Bruce Given, MD
Joe Cunningham, MD
David McWilliams
Daniel J. Moore, Chairman of Board, LivaNova PLC
Additional Directors
Margaret “Meg” A. Boulware, Partner, Boulware & Valoir
Giuseppe N. Colasurdo, MD, President, The University of Texas Health Science Center
Atul Varadhachary, Ph.D., Managing Partner, Fannin Innovation Studio
Dan Watkins, PhD, Managing Director, Mercury Fund
Directors Emeritus
E. Ashley Smith, Retired from Stewart Information Services, Corp.