Supercharging Biomedical Research Through Venture Philanthropy

In recent years, venture philanthropy has emerged as a transformational force for biomedical research. Combining strategic investment principles from the world of venture capital with the mission-driven goals of philanthropy, venture philanthropy—and the donors who give through this model—seeks to bridge the funding gap that often hinders the translation of scientific discoveries into life-saving medical treatments

Todd Reppert, a successful business investor and member of Baylor College of Medicine’s Board of Trustees, has a passion for venture philanthropy that stems from helping companies grow and flourish throughout his career. 

“I really like helping build businesses,” Mr. Reppert said. “Whether it’s a brand-new business or one that’s been around for a few years, I like seeing them grow. I like seeing the people involved grow. I like seeing the impact of the business. The impact is why I get excited about being involved in venture philanthropy.” 

At Baylor, with its impressive volume of biomedical research and talented investigators, Mr. Reppert found a place where his business expertise could make a difference. As chair of the Commercialization Committee of the Baylor College of Medicine Board of Trustees, Mr. Reppert works closely with BCM Ventures (BCMV), led by Joseph Petrosino, Ph.D. ʼ98, Fel. ʼ02, Baylor’s chief scientific innovation officer. BCMV is dedicated to assisting faculty with reconciling scientific discovery and commercialization, advancing Baylor’s intellectual property, establishing commercial partnerships and launching new companies. This often takes the form of helping Baylor faculty further develop their ideas into diagnostics, instruments, technologies, services and therapies that can be sold in the marketplace.   

Baylor already has a well-established track record of successfully spinning off highly innovative companies, including Diversigen, Inc., a microbiome analysis and sequencing company founded by Dr. Petrosino and which was a subsidiary of OraSure Technologies. Mr. Reppert is confident that, with more front-end investment, BCMV can generate even more impactful healthcare solutions. 

“If the research is done well and the commercialization is successful, it has the potential to impact millions of lives,” Mr. Reppert said. 

Mr. Reppert believes so strongly in BCMV that he and his family made a seed pledge of $600,000 in January 2024 to support the BCMV initiatives.  

“If the existing commercialization efforts become even more successful, then we can reinvest the money earned from those successes back into Baylor’s research enterprise,” Mr. Reppert said. “This is how we can help create a virtuous cycle that doesn’t just produce more gains and opportunities but more and better healthcare solutions and better results worldwide. And it can keep going in perpetuity.” 

It’s an idea that he hopes inspires other donors and investors to do the same.  

“I’d like to see other people, whether it’s for Baylor or elsewhere, give back in a way that is smart and can also influence the future,” Mr. Reppert said.