Texas oil heiress, Lyda Hill, is investing in biotech research and development in an attempt to turn Dallas into a major industry hub. Hill, the granddaughter of legendary wildcatter H.L. Hunt, is leading the charge in attracting scientific talent and investment to the city. With major projects in the works and a recently secured collaboration with the federal government, Hill’s efforts could potentially lead to groundbreaking scientific discoveries and medical advancements.

Pegasus Park, a Dallas-based office campus that Hill has heavily invested in, scored a major victory by being selected as one of the headquarters for the federal government’s new health research institutes. The success of this 30-month-old campus indicates a promising start for Hill’s biotech ambitions. Notable tenants at Pegasus Park include Colossal Biosciences, a startup seeking to revive extinct species, and BioLabs, a co-working company focused on the life sciences industry.

Hill’s family has a long history of influencing Dallas, with her grandfather and relatives playing instrumental roles in turning the city into an oil and gas center. Now, Hill is determined to usher in a new era for the city by propelling it into the biotech industry. Despite the challenges posed by Dallas’s size and dispersion, Hill is committed to making the city a key player in the biotech landscape.

In addition to her investments, Hill has made substantial charitable donations to institutions such as the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and UT Southwestern Medical Center. Her generous philanthropy reflects her commitment to promoting science, health, and innovation.

While Dallas may lack the capital and concentrated resources of established biotech hubs like Boston and San Francisco, Hill’s ambitious efforts have garnered the attention of industry professionals and investors. With the right support, Dallas has the potential to become a significant player in the global biotech and life sciences arena.