News & Events
June 2, 2025
A panel of investors, local business leaders and a former commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration outlined the state of the biotech industry in 2026 — and where Houston could play a role. MORE >
MedCity News; This Startup Aims to Upend Biologic Drug Production With Implantable ‘Cell Factories’
May 17, 2026
Duracyte’s implants employ cells engineered to produce therapeutic protein, bypassing the complexities of traditional biologics manufacturing. The startup’s marriage of biotechnology with electronics comes with on-board sensors that enable clinicians to monitor and control an implant’s drug production process. MORE >
Forbes; Deal of the Week: Duracyte
Apr 15, 2026
Pancreatic cancer has long been one of the worst diagnoses a person could get. A new drug from Revolution Medicines may offer some hope. MORE >
RBL Ventures in the News
RBL LLC launches Duracyte, advancing living pharmacy platform in Houston's growing biotech hub
April 15, 2026
RBL LLC, a pioneering biotech venture creation studio dedicated to rapidly building companies based on breakthrough medical technologies, today announced the launch of Duracyte, a biotechnology company commercializing a pioneering class of implantable "biohybrid pharmacy" devices designed to produce therapeutic proteins continuously inside the human body. Backed by an up to $45 million Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) award MORE >
Chris Duke joins RBL LLC leadership team as Operating Partner
March 10, 2026
RBL LLC, a pioneering biotech venture creation studio dedicated to rapidly building companies based on breakthrough medical technologies from leading research institutions, announced the appointment of Chris Duke as an operating partner. MORE >
March 5, 2026
RBL LLC, a pioneering biotech venture creation studio dedicated to rapidly building companies based on breakthrough medical technologies, today announced that portfolio company SteerBio, a biotech startup developing a first-of-its-kind regenerative treatment aimed at restoring damaged lymphatic vessels and potentially curing lymphedema, today announced its official launch and has been awarded up to $18.2 million in funding from the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health
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RBL LLC welcomes Devyn Smith to board of directors
April 22, 2025
RBL LLC, a pioneering biotech venture creation studio dedicated to rapidly building companies based on breakthrough medical technologies from Rice University, announced the appointment of Devyn Smith to its board of directors. Smith, a distinguished biopharmaceutical executive and current CEO of Arbor Biotechnologies, brings extensive experience in regenerative medicine, company formation and commercial strategy that will be instrumental in RBL's mission to accelerate lifesaving therapies from bench to bedside. MORE >
Rice Biotech Launch Pad and RBL LLC to celebrate official launch and lab opening
March 26, 2025
The Rice Biotech Launch Pad and RBL LLC will hold an event to celebrate the official launch and lab opening of RBL LLC on May 5, following a Rice University presidential lecture on the significance of innovation at Rice delivered by Robert Langer Jr., ScD, biotech entrepreneur, Massachusetts Institute of Technology professor and founder of tissue engineering in regenerative medicine. MORE >
August 22, 2024
In a bold move to transform patient care, Rice University has launched RBL LLC, a pioneering biotech venture creation studio designed to rapidly build companies based on life-saving medical technologies developed out of the Rice Biotech Launch Pad, the university's biotech innovation accelerator. The Rice Biotech Launch Pad, established last year, will continue to provide RBL with fully developed and de-risked technologies from Rice's life sciences portfolio, serving as a steady pipeline of innovation for new ventures. MORE >