We Are Cortex | Jimmy Pham

Born at Washington University, nurtured in a small startup lab in Cortex’s BioSTL Building, Wugen has long since expanded to its own 18,000-square-foot space within the innovation district, employing more than 60 people.

One of them is Jimmy Pham, who is so modest about his job, he has to be coaxed into saying what it’s all about: “We're trying to cure cancer.”

And though Pham is low-key about it, it’s not an exaggeration. Wugen is creating off-the-shelf therapies for blood-borne and solid cancers using cells from healthy donors — scientifically “disguised” to evade attack from the patient’s immune system. The company has raised $200 million in venture funding.

As senior associate scientist in quality for Wugen, Pham is part of the “checks and balances” team ensuring the therapies meet quality standards and are safe to inject into cancer patients. “I am so happy to be part of a team that not only has already made an impact with our drug product, but just the culture here is really nice as well,” Pham said.

Pham started with Wugen in late 2021, shortly before the company’s explosive growth prompted a move into new space at Cortex. He remembers the warm welcome he received from people like BioGenerator Venture’s Mike Davies (“He even invited me to a pool party!”).

“Everyone at Cortex has been really nice,” Pham said. And the collaboration goes two ways. “We have things we may not need, and we donate it over. Or, we might ask for help and we always receive it. Everyone's been very helpful.”

The variety of activities, trades, companies and innovations underway within the district is particularly energizing for Pham, who recognizes how much of that work in centered on a single industry sector: biotech.

“Everyone's working on so many different things, and it meshes so well together,” he said. “We're all here at the end of the day in a biotech hub. And I love that about Cortex.”

We Are Cortex celebrates the individuals who power our vibrant district. Join us on Tuesday, October 28, for #WeAreCortex – an inspiring and interactive event highlighting the thinkers, builders, creators, and doers who are shaping the future of St. Louis and beyond. Click here to learn more and RSVP!