Opexa Pharmaceuticals was founded in February 2001 to develop therapeutic vaccines for autoimmune diseases. Based on techniques designed by co-founder Jingwu Zhang of Baylor College of Medicine, its first product is a vaccine comprised of autologous myelin-reactive T-cells that stimulate the immune response of patients with multiple sclerosis. The selectivity of the process enables greater efficacy with fewer side effects than existing therapies for MS.

BCM Technologies, the for-profit venture arm of the Baylor College of Medicine, has a hands-on approach to university technology transfer has served both the medical school and external investors well. First round investors in BCMT's first 14 spin-offs earned a 35% internal rate of return.

BCM Technologies likes to start companies whenever it can; licensing’s fine, too.