PHIOGEN has been recognized as one of the Top 10 Most Promising Life Science Companies at the 14th Annual Texas Life Science Forum, Texas’s premier gathering of biotech, medtech, and health-innovation leaders. Selected by a panel of investors and industry experts, PHIOGEN stood out among dozens of presenting ventures spanning therapeutics, devices, and digital health.
Co-hosted by the Rice Alliance for Technology & Entrepreneurship and BioHouston, the Forum brings together executives, researchers, emerging startups, and investors from all over the world to highlight breakthrough technologies that will shape the future of healthcare. This year’s event showcased some of the most forward-thinking businesses in the field, with the “Top 10 Most Promising Life Science Companies” awards serving as a highlight of the conference.
Commenting on the distinction, Amanda Burkardt, CEO of PHIOGEN, said:
“Being named one of the Top 10 Most Promising Life Science Companies is an incredible honor, especially here in Texas, where the life sciences community is growing rapidly and setting a national example. We’re grateful to the organizers, judges, and the entire Houston innovation ecosystem that continues to champion bold new science. This recognition reinforces the importance of our mission: redefining how we treat and prevent drug-resistant infections.”
PHIOGEN is pioneering a next-generation class of dual-action bacteriophage therapeutics that not only eliminate drug-resistant bacteria but also modulates the immune system to provide long-term reinfection protection, a first-of-its-kind breakthrough. The company’s lead program targets recurrent urinary tract infections (rUTIs), a pervasive, chronic, and increasingly antibiotic-resistant condition that affects millions of people worldwide. PHIOGEN’s technology platform integrates high-throughput screening, human-relevant model systems, and evolutionary selection to develop standardized, scalable phage products with broad clinical utility.
The recognition comes during a milestone year for PHIOGEN. The company unveiled its first-in-class dual-action bacteriophage therapeutic, secured a $1.1 million non-dilutive grant to elucidate the mechanism of action, and advanced multiple studies through IND-enabling stage. These achievements mark significant progress toward bringing a new category of immune-activating phage therapeutics to patients where conventional antibiotics fall short.
Burkardt continued:
“Our team pours extraordinary effort into pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in infectious disease. This award is a testament to that dedication. As antimicrobial resistance continues to rise, the need for innovative, immune-driven solutions has never been clearer.”
The Texas Life Science Forum has long served as the state’s leading platform for early-stage companies to connect with capital, collaborators, and industry leadership. For PHIOGEN, being named a top company signals both investor confidence and growing recognition of the urgency surrounding antimicrobial resistance (AMR), one of the world’s greatest healthcare challenges.
As PHIOGEN prepares for its next phase of growth, including optimizing manufacturing, preparing for clinical trials, and expanding its breakthrough pipeline, the company remains focused on delivering the first broadly deployable, dual-action therapeutic to patients with undruggable, chronic infections.
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About PHIOGEN
PHIOGEN is a preclinical-stage biotechnology company pioneering a next-generation phage platform to treat and prevent drug-resistant and recurrent bacterial infections. A spin-out from Baylor College of Medicine, PHIOGEN operates from its dedicated lab at Helix Park within the Texas Medical Center, the world’s largest medical complex. The company’s proprietary platform integrates advanced screening, human-relevant models, and evolutionary selection to develop dual-function bacteriophages that both eliminate bacterial pathogens and stimulate protective immunity. PHIOGEN is advancing a pipeline of targeted phage therapies designed to redefine infectious disease treatment where conventional antibiotics fail. To learn more please visit www.phiogen-pharma.com
