Texas Biomed Receives $13M Federal Funds While Marking 85 Years of Vaccine Research

TL;DR: Texas Biomedical Research Institute received almost $13 million in federal preparedness funds to modernize its San Antonio campus while celebrating its 85th anniversary. The institute’s preclinical work during COVID‑19 contributed to vaccine candidates from Pfizer‑BioNTech, Novavax and Regeneron.

Founded in 1941 by Thomas Baker Slick Jr., Texas Biomed began as a modest farm‑barn laboratory on 1,500 acres west of San Antonio. Over eight decades it shifted from agriculture to biomedical research and now operates a National Primate Research Center and high‑containment labs.

During the pandemic, scientists at Texas Biomed conducted preclinical studies of SARS‑CoV‑2 vaccine candidates. These studies used animal models to assess safety and immune response before human trials. The work supported the development of vaccines later authorized by Pfizer‑BioNTech, Novavax and therapies from Regeneron.

Preclinical research is essential but does not prove causation in humans; it shows correlation between a candidate and protective responses in animals. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in people can establish cause‑and‑effect. The animal studies typically involved cohorts of 10‑20 primates per group, a size common for early‑stage efficacy testing.

The City of San Antonio and Bexar County awarded nearly $13 million under the American Rescue Plan Act for infrastructure upgrades. Funds will improve water, electrical and security systems across the 200‑acre campus. The upgrades aim to keep the facility ready for future high‑containment research.

Chuck Slick, son of the institute’s founder, said his father believed in science’s power for good and envisioned a center that fosters innovation. He noted that today’s nearly 500 employees continue that mission.

These investments mean Texas Biomed can expand its capacity to study emerging pathogens faster. For the public, the upgrades translate into quicker potential responses to outbreaks and continued contributions to global vaccine pipelines.

What to watch next: completion of the campus modernization by late 2025 and the initiation of new preclinical programs for influenza and antimicrobial‑resistant bacteria.