Texas A&M University Establishes Texas Institute for Preclinical Studies (TIPS)
TIPS director Theresa Fossum is a world-renowned veterinary surgeon.
Texas A&M University continues to expand its research capabilities with the creation of the new Texas Institute for Preclinical Studies (TIPS). The institute will train veterinarians, physicians, scientists, technicians and engineers to meet the needs of Texas’ biomedical industry, and will serve as a key resource for training undergraduate and graduate students, and academic and industry personnel in regulatory issues.
“This institute is uniquely positioned to perform preclinical development and testing of drugs and devices leading to human clinical trials,” said Chancellor Michael D. McKinney. “Faculty and students in the Texas A&M Health Science Center and Texas A&M’s College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Dwight Look College of Engineering and Mays Business School will develop partnerships with major medical centers throughout the world to provide research and support services complementing institute activity.”
The institute will provide core services in developing and conducting research activities, including medical device and combination product safety studies in large animal models such as those with naturally occurring disease; preclinical studies using Good Laboratory Practices; and biomedical imaging to support pharmaceutical and medical equipment development.
“TIPS will foster multi-disciplinary service, research and education as a state-of-the-art preclinical research center and advanced clinical and preclinical imaging center,” said Richard E. Ewing, vice president for research at Texas A&M.
By developing and creating new intellectual property, the institute will help new discoveries, particularly medical devices and therapies, move more quickly from concept to the marketplace to treat and prevent disease.
The TIPS director is Theresa W. Fossum, D.V.M., a professor of surgery and holder of the Tom and Joan Read Chair in Veterinary Surgery at Texas A&M University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. She also is the director for cardiothoracic surgery and biomedical devices in the Michael E. DeBakey Institute at Texas A&M.
TIPS will begin operations using facilities available through the DeBakey Institute. TIPS is expected to receive funding from a variety of sources, including Texas A&M University, which has been authorized to commit $40 million of Permanent University Fund (PUF) bonding authority to construct the facility.
The TIPS facility will be comprised of three buildings totaling approximately 112,000 square feet and will be located in Texas A&M University’s Research Park in College Station.
