Rice Biotech Launch Pad welcomes Carolyn Ng to external advisory board

Rhea-AI Summary

Rice Biotech Launch Pad has appointed Carolyn Ng, a business unit partner at TPG Life Sciences Innovations, to its external advisory board. Ng brings significant expertise in biotech and company building, with extensive experience guiding early to midstage companies across various therapeutic areas.

Currently leading investments at TPG Life Sciences Innovations in San Francisco, Ng serves on multiple boards including Mbrace Therapeutics, Adcendo Aps, and Bicara Therapeutics (NASDAQ: BCAX). Her appointment marks her as the 16th member of the Launch Pad's external advisory board, joining leaders from various prestigious institutions and companies.

The Rice Biotech Launch Pad, based in Houston, focuses on accelerating the translation of Rice University's health and medical technology discoveries into practical medical solutions.

Positive

• Strategic addition of experienced biotech investor with proven track record in early-stage companies
• Strengthens Launch Pad's ability to transform research into commercial therapies
• Enhances connection to major biotech investment networks through TPG Life Sciences

Negative

• None.

HOUSTON, July 31, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Rice Biotech Launch Pad, a Houston-based accelerator focused on expediting the translation of Rice University's health and medical technology discoveries into cures, announced today the appointment of Carolyn Ng to its external advisory board. A current business unit partner at TPG Life Sciences Innovations, Ng brings expertise in biotech and company building with a track record of guiding early to midstage companies across a wide range of therapeutic areas.

"Carolyn's deep understanding of translational science, combined with her passion for fostering high-impact ventures, makes her an ideal addition to the board," said Omid Veiseh, professor of bioengineering at Rice and faculty director of the Launch Pad. "She shares our commitment to transforming early cutting-edge research into breakthrough therapies that address real-world medical challenges."

"Carolyn brings exceptional insight into the strategic and operational needs of growing biotech companies such as the ones we are aiming to form at the Launch Pad," said Paul Wotton, executive director of the Launch Pad. "Her global perspective on life sciences innovation will be invaluable as we continue to grow."

"As Houston rapidly emerges as a leading biotech hub, the groundbreaking research conducted at Rice University will be a key driver of its long-term success," Ng said. "The Launch Pad's unique approach, rooted in academic excellence and entrepreneurial focus, will be fundamental in transforming that research into successful therapies. I look forward to contributing my knowledge and experience to support the Launch Pad's continued growth and its mission to advance innovative therapies from lab to market."

In her current position at TPG Life Sciences Innovations in San Francisco, Ng leads investments into transformative early and midstage biotech companies across various therapeutic areas. She currently serves on the board of directors of Mbrace Therapeutics, Adcendo Aps and Bicara Therapeutics (NASDAQ: BCAX), and her previous board roles include companies such as Bicycle Therapeutics PLC (NASDAQ: BCYC), Obsidian Therapeutics, Boundless Bio (NASDAQ: BOLD), Epirium Bio and Visterra (acquired by Otsuka Pharmaceutical). Prior to joining TPG in 2021, Ng was a managing director at Vertex Ventures HC, where she co-led the investment team. Besides serving on the board of directors of BIOCOM California, an organization representing California's life science industry, Ng is also a reviewer on the Singapore Therapeutics Development Review Panel and was recognized in 2020 by Endpoints News as one of the "20 under 40" Next Generation of Biopharma Leaders. She obtained a doctorate in cancer molecular biology from the National University of Singapore, where she was also awarded the prestigious NGS Integrative Sciences and Technology PhD scholarship.

Ng is the 16th member of the Launch Pad's external advisory board. The other members are David Allison, managing director at Westlake BioPartners; Jason Bock, founder and CEO of CTMC; Albert Cha, managing partner of Frazier Life Sciences; Rima Chakrabarti, partner at KdT Ventures and CEO of Sentinel BioTherapeutics; John Flavin, founder and CEO of Portal Innovations, co-founder and chairman of Pyxis Oncology and entrepreneurial adviser of Argonne National Laboratory; Pierre Jacquet, managing director and vice chairman of L.E.K.'s health care consulting practice; Robert Langer, professor at the David H. Koch Institute for Integrated Research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Dennis Lee, senior program officer, accelerator at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation; William McKeon, president and CEO of the Texas Medical Center; Ferran Prat, chief commercial officer at BostonGene; Josh Richardson, managing director and senior investor on the life sciences investigating team at Goldman Sachs; Robert Ruffolo, chairman of Aragen Biosciences; David Schull, president of Russo Partners; Kevin Sheridan, managing director and joint global head of health care investment banking at Jefferies; and Lisa Wright, president and CEO of Community Health Choice.

About the Rice Biotech Launch Pad:
The Rice Biotech Launch Pad is a Houston-based accelerator focused on expediting the translation of Rice University's health and medical technology discoveries into cures. This initiative is designed to help advance internally discovered platform technologies from concept to clinical studies and commercialization. The Rice Biotech Launch Pad will identify and support highly differentiated projects while driving the expansion of Houston as a world-class medical innovation ecosystem. The accelerator will bring together local researchers with a network of industry executives. For more information, please visit https://biotechlaunchpad.rice.edu/. 

Media Contacts:
Russo Partners
David Schull or Liz Phillips
(347) 956-7697
david.schull@russopartnersllc.com
elizabeth.phillips@russopartnersllc.com

 

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SOURCE Rice University

FAQ

Who is Carolyn Ng and what is her role at Rice Biotech Launch Pad?

Carolyn Ng is a business unit partner at TPG Life Sciences Innovations who has joined Rice Biotech Launch Pad's external advisory board. She brings expertise in biotech and company building, particularly in early to midstage companies.

What companies is Carolyn Ng currently involved with as a board member?

Carolyn Ng currently serves on the board of directors of Mbrace Therapeutics, Adcendo Aps, and Bicara Therapeutics (NASDAQ: BCAX).

How many members are on the Rice Biotech Launch Pad's external advisory board?

The Rice Biotech Launch Pad's external advisory board now has 16 members, with Carolyn Ng being the latest addition.

What is the main purpose of the Rice Biotech Launch Pad?

The Rice Biotech Launch Pad is a Houston-based accelerator focused on expediting the translation of Rice University's health and medical technology discoveries into practical medical solutions and cures.

What is Carolyn Ng's background and experience in the biotech industry?

Carolyn Ng leads investments at TPG Life Sciences Innovations, was previously managing director at Vertex Ventures HC, holds a doctorate in cancer molecular biology, and was recognized as one of the '20 under 40' Next Generation of Biopharma Leaders by Endpoints News in 2020.