Bioscience leaders gather to advance military medicine and dual-use health technologies
SAN ANTONIO (May 19) — San Antonio’s military medical ecosystem took center stage today as the AIM Health R&D Summit opened at the Henry B. González Convention Center, bringing together researchers, entrepreneurs, investors and military medical leaders to accelerate the development and commercialization of technologies serving both warfighters and civilian patients.
Organized by VelocityTX and UT San Antonio in cooperation with the City of San Antonio and Bexar County, the Summit welcomed Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones and UT San Antonio President Taylor Eighmy for opening remarks.
The full-day program spans trauma and combat casualty care, traumatic brain injury, mental health, infectious disease, regenerative medicine, human performance, artificial intelligence and austere-care technologies. Keynote presentations will be delivered by Dr. Paul Biddinger, Chief Preparedness and Continuity Officer at Mass General Brigham and Dr. David C. Hilmers, former NASA astronaut, retired U.S. Marine Corps colonel and physician.
A signature feature of the event is the Department of War Subject Matter Expert Encounter Sessions, which connect innovators directly with military medical leaders, research organizations and program stakeholders to clarify operational needs, funding pathways and partnership opportunities. The Summit will also feature a Pitch Scrimmage — giving emerging companies a chance to sharpen their commercialization stories before an experienced panel that includes representatives from the Defense Health Agency, Alamo Angels, and VelocityTX.
“San Antonio’s military medical ecosystem is one of our region’s most powerful economic assets,” said Rene Dominguez, President and CEO of VelocityTX. “AIM is where that ecosystem comes together — researchers, entrepreneurs, military medical leaders, investors and civic partners — to turn breakthrough ideas into real-world solutions. By advancing dual-use technologies, we are supporting the warfighter, improving civilian health outcomes and building the next generation of economic opportunity for San Antonio.”
San Antonio’s military medical network includes the Defense Health Agency, the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research, Naval Medical Research Unit San Antonio, the 59th Medical Wing, Brooke Army Medical Center, the 711th Human Performance Wing and the Department of Veterans Affairs. In 2025, the Defense Health Agency announced a partnership with VelocityTX to accelerate modernization research and development — reinforcing the city’s position as a national hub for military medical collaboration and commercialization.
“UT San Antonio is proud to stand with VelocityTX, the City of San Antonio and Bexar County in advancing the AIM Health R&D Summit,” said Jennifer Sharpe Potter, Senior Executive Vice President for Research and Innovation of The University of Texas at San Antonio. “This event reflects the power of research universities to connect discovery with public purpose — especially in a city where military medicine, biomedical research, entrepreneurship and civic leadership intersect.”
“The City’s investment in this ecosystem is an investment in jobs, research capacity, entrepreneurship, and better health outcomes,” said Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones. “AIM strengthens the connections that help San Antonio companies grow, moves discoveries from lab to market, and helps deliver new technologies to military and civilian communities faster.”
The 2026 AIM Health R&D Summit builds on San Antonio’s identity as Military City USA and its expanding reputation as a center for bioscience, medical readiness and applied innovation — moving technologies from discovery to deployment, and ultimately from the laboratory to the patient.
About VelocityTX
Formerly known as the Texas Research & Technology Foundation, VelocityTX is a nonprofit organization established in 1984 to promote sustainable economic and community growth. In carrying out this mission, the organization seeks to advance San Antonio’s life sciences industry through the development of a state-of-the-art bioscience innovation campus on the city’s near east side. Based out of the former Merchants Ice & Cold Storage complex, the master planned development will bring together established bioscience companies, healthcare startups, and military medical research organizations in an inclusive community where ideas collide to spur medical breakthroughs. VelocityTX also promotes workforce development through its Step Into STEM program, and provides entrepreneurial support services designed to accelerate the commercialization of emerging medical technologies. Learn more at velocitytx.org.