About CUBiO Innovation
“Innovating Beyond Borders”
Our Mission
To support early-stage companies in navigating commercialization, partnerships, and market expansion—helping innovators across life sciences, energy, and technology move from concept to real-world execution in Texas and beyond.
- Access to wet-lab and innovation infrastructure
- Strategic guidance and commercialization support
- Founder advisory and operational alignment
- Connections to partners, institutions, and market opportunities
Enabling Meaningful Collaboration
- Connecting companies with the right institutional, corporate, and ecosystem partners
- Supporting collaboration across biotech, medtech, manufacturing, and technology sectors
- Facilitating opportunities for pilots, partnerships, and market entry
We provide guidance on:
- Market entry and expansion strategies
- Partnership development and ecosystem navigation
- Commercialization pathways and strategic alignment
Meet Our Team
Wesley Okeke
Founder and CEO
Meet Wes »
Deenadayalan Bakthavatsalam PhD, MBA
Chief Innovation Officer
Meet Deen »
Chao Liang
Deputy General Manager
Meet Chao »
Xinxin Ren
Director of Business Development
Meet Xinxin »
Kelechi Iroegbu
Community Program Manager
Meet Kelechi »
Jazlynn Limon
Marketing Manager
Meet Jazlynn »
Manasi Saxena
Investor Outreach and Budget Analyst
Meet Manasi »
With experience an team across multiple countries, we are uniquely positioned to evaluate your project’s core value and guide you towards global success.
Regional Partnerships
We are dedicated to fostering innovation and growth in the life science startup ecosystem. Our focus spans from Houston to the broader United States, creating a vibrant community of innovators and entrepreneurs.
We believe in the power of startups to drive innovation and improve lives. Our goal is to nurture these emerging companies, helping them reach their full potential and make a lasting impact in the healthcare & Energy sectors.
Technology Collaboration
CUBiO stands at the cutting edge of technology, facilitating collaboration between innovators, verified investors, strategic partners and manufacturers. We provide an ecosystem for startups to access the resources they need to thrive and expand.
As a bridge between Texas Life Sciences and Technology hubs worldwide, CUBIO offers a unique entry point to the US startup market. We’re committed to fostering global connections and opening doors for innovative solutions through our global network of partners.
WES OKEKE
FOUNDER AND CEO
Wesley Okeke is a global innovation strategist with 30+ years in biotech, medtech, and deep tech. As CEO of CUBiO Innovation Hub, he helps science-driven startups scale through commercialization support. He also founded Headway Idea Labs and The Nomad Network to expand access to innovation in underserved regions. A TMC Biodesign partner, Wesley bridges academia, capital, and entrepreneurship to turn breakthrough research into impactful, investor-ready ventures.
XIMENA G. MAGAÑA
DIRECTOR OF PARTNERSHIPS AND OPERATIONS
Ximena G. Magaña, Director of Partnerships and Operations at CUBiO Innovation Hub, drives collaborations in life sciences, AI, medical, and green energy. With 10+ years in communications, development, and stakeholder engagement, she builds strategic partnerships, fosters inclusive innovation, and oversees operations to support startups. Bilingual in English and Spanish, she bridges sectors, serves on multiple boards, and is committed to creating equitable, impactful opportunities across industries.
CHAO LIANG
DEPUTY GENERAL MANAGER
Chao Liang, Deputy General Manager of CUBiO Innovation Technology (Suzhou), connects global innovation resources with China’s biotech ecosystem, driving early-stage incubation, proof-of-concept validation, and cross-border collaboration. With 10+ years in the pharmaceutical industry spanning medical affairs, market access, and government relations, he excels at guiding products from concept to market. At CUBiO, Chao builds sustainable partnerships between China and global innovators to advance impactful, real-world solutions.
XINXIN REN
DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Xinxin Ren, with 10+ years in startup incubation, investment, and industry services, blends legal expertise and socio-economic insight. Certified in securities, funds, and medical/pharma regulations, she led cross-border investments at Julz Fund and launched a biopharma-focused fund. A certified Technology Transfer Manager, she has guided 20+ projects from funding to market, connecting startups with capital, supply chains, and partnerships to drive innovation globally.
DEENADAYALAN BAKTHAVATSALAM PHD, MBA
CHIEF INNOVATION OFFICER
Dr. Deenadayalan Bakthavatsalam, Chief Innovation Officer at CUBiO Innovation Hub, has 28+ years in life sciences R&D, biomanufacturing, digital health, and ecosystem development. Also Chief Scientific Officer at rBIO, he leads biosimilar development and commercialization. A global advisor to startups, universities, and investors, he serves on corporate and nonprofit boards, including Pearland EDC and Houston City College, championing inclusive innovation, biotech education, and globally relevant solutions.
JAZLYNN LIMON
Jazlynn Limon is the Marketing Manager at CUBiO Innovation Hub, where she leads strategic communications and outreach to support innovation in life sciences. A graduate of the University of Houston with a BBA in Marketing, she brings a sharp eye for storytelling and community engagement. Before joining CUBiO, Jazlynn gained experience as a marketing intern, where she supported branding and digital campaigns. At CUBiO, she’s passionate about amplifying the voices of innovators and helping founders connect with the resources they need to grow.
KELECHI IROEGBU
COMMUNITY PROGRAM MANAGER
Kelechi Iroegbu, Community Program Manager at CUBiO Innovation Hub, leads startup onboarding and community initiatives that drive innovation in life sciences. A University of Houston graduate with a background in public health and biology, he combines healthcare insight with experience serving diverse communities to foster strong connections in the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Passionate about empowering founders, Kelechi creates pathways for emerging innovators to access resources, mentorship, and support needed to transform ideas into impactful solutions.
MANASI SAXENA
INVESTOR OUTREACH AND BUDGET ANALYST
Manasi Saxena is the Investor Outreach and Budget Analyst at CUBiO Innovation, where she plays a key role in facilitating meaningful connections between early-stage startups and potential investors. In her position, she manages investor relations, supports capital-raising efforts, and ensures financial alignment across various programs. Manasi is also responsible for overseeing budgeting processes, tracking expenditures, and contributing to the strategic allocation of resources to support operational efficiency. In addition to her work at CUBiO, she is currently pursuing her undergraduate degree at the University of Houston.