Huang Lab Spins Off PH102 and Solid‑Tumor Cell Therapy Programs into Powerhouse Therapeutics Inc
SAN ANTONIO, Texas — The Huang Lab at the Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio announced the formation of Powerhouse Therapeutics Inc, a biotechnology startup created to advance PH102 and a subset of the lab’s solid‑tumor cell therapy portfolio toward the clinic. The new company will focus on translational development, manufacturing readiness, and regulatory milestones while the Huang Lab continues discovery research and early preclinical studies.
PH102 is a GPC3‑targeted CAR T‑cell therapy in development for hepatocellular carcinoma. Preclinical data support its potential to address resistance in solid tumors. By moving PH102 and related programs into an industry vehicle, the team aims to shorten the path from proof‑of‑concept to first‑in‑human evaluation.
“The spin‑off lets us keep doing what we do best in the academic setting while ensuring our most promising assets have the dedicated resources needed for clinical translation,” said Dr. Gang Huang, principal investigator of the Huang Lab. “It strengthens our collaborations with clinicians and industry and keeps patients at the center of our goals.”
“Powerhouse Therapeutics will concentrate on IND‑enabling studies, process development, and partnerships that position these therapies for real‑world impact,” said Vincent Pham, CEO of Powerhouse Therapeutics. “We look forward to building on the lab’s science with a focused development plan.”
Powerhouse Therapeutics was founded by scientists affiliated with UT Health San Antonio. The company will collaborate with academic and clinical partners to advance cell therapies for treatment‑resistant solid tumors. The Huang Lab remains committed to rigorous discovery, training, and open scientific collaboration. To learn more, visit the company’s website at: https://www.ph-therapeutics.com/
About the Huang Lab
The Huang Lab at UT Health San Antonio is a basic and translational cancer research group within the MD Anderson Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio. Our team integrates hematology and solid tumor biology with immunology and metabolism to uncover mechanisms and design interventions. We advance cell and biologic therapies, including CAR T‑cell approaches for solid tumors. We also conduct research in trauma and military health. We move discoveries toward clinical impact through product development and collaborations with clinicians and industry. Education and mentorship are core to our mission. We train students, postdoctoral fellows, and early‑career scientists in rigorous, multidisciplinary research. Together, we aim to deliver therapies and technologies that improve patient outcomes.
About Powerhouse Therapeutics
Powerhouse Therapeutics Inc is a biotechnology company developing cell-based therapies that tackle treatment resistance in solid tumors and fibrotic diseases. Built on our proprietary Immune Triad Therapy with Armed CAR T-cell Supercharger (IT-ACTS) platform, we engineer multimodal living drugs that deliver targeted payloads, remodel the tumor microenvironment, and restore tissue homeostasis. Our lead candidate, PH102, is an autologous IT-ACTS therapy poised for clinical entry, with off-the-shelf and anti-fibrotic programs advancing in parallel. Founded by leading academic scientists, we combine academic rigor with translational speed to deliver paradigm-shifting therapies for all patients.