Tekton Opens San Antonio Hub to Advance Chronic Disease Research

SAN ANTONIO, TX – April 08, 2026 – Tekton Research, a clinical trial organization with a network of 25 sites across North America, has officially opened its first multi-specialty clinical research hub in San Antonio. The new physician-led center aims to accelerate the development of new therapies by integrating multiple medical specialties under one roof, with an initial strong focus on cardiometabolic diseases like diabetes and obesity, which are prevalent in the region.

The launch represents a significant strategic step for the Austin-based company, which was founded in 2006 and conducts trials for pharmaceutical and biotech partners. This new hub model is designed to enhance research capabilities and improve patient access to cutting-edge medical studies.

“Tekton Research is proud to announce its first clinical research hub,” said Taryn Collett, Chief Operating Officer of Tekton Research. “Based in San Antonio and led by Principal Investigators who are double- and triple-board-certified in diabetes and obesity, this strengthens our expertise in cardiometabolic research and patient-centered metabolic care.”

A Strategic Move in a Booming Healthcare Market

The choice of San Antonio for Tekton's inaugural hub is a calculated move that taps into one of the nation's most dynamic and diverse healthcare ecosystems. The city's healthcare and bioscience industry has a staggering $44 billion annual economic impact and employs nearly one-fifth of the local workforce. This robust environment provides a fertile ground for medical innovation and collaboration.

More importantly, San Antonio's demographic profile, with a 64% Hispanic population, offers a critical advantage for clinical research. Ensuring diverse participation in clinical trials is essential for developing therapies that are safe and effective for all populations, and the city provides a representative cross-section of the country that has historically been underrepresented in medical studies. Tekton's entry addresses a pressing need, as approximately one in six San Antonio residents is affected by diabetes, making localized research into cardiometabolic conditions particularly impactful.

The new hub enters a competitive but expanding research landscape. San Antonio is home to major institutions like UT Health San Antonio, which recently opened its own Center for Excellence in Diabetes, and the Texas Biomedical Research Institute. Rather than simply competing, Tekton's model complements the existing infrastructure by offering a nimble, physician-integrated site network. This "hub-and-spoke" strategy, which Tekton plans to replicate in other cities, is an emerging trend in the clinical trial industry. It moves beyond loosely affiliated investigator sites toward a more structured, operationally unified model that promises greater efficiency, faster study startup, and more consistent quality control for its pharmaceutical sponsors.

Physician Expertise at the Core of Research

Central to the San Antonio hub's mission is its physician-led approach, anchored by highly credentialed medical experts who remain active in patient care. The center will be helmed by Dr. Jara McDonald, who was recently appointed Tekton’s Executive Medical Director. Dr. McDonald is double board-certified in Family Medicine and Obesity Medicine and brings over a decade of experience in cardiometabolic care and research, having served as a principal investigator on more than 30 trials.

Her unique approach combines evidence-based medicine with a holistic, mind-body wellness philosophy at her private practice, Soldara Integrative Family Medicine. This direct primary care model allows her to build deep relationships with patients, facilitating more comprehensive discussions about the potential benefits of participating in clinical research.

“I am so stoked about Tekton Research’s San Antonio hub because it expands our ability to conduct clinical studies across multiple specialties and therapeutic areas at one beautiful location,” said Dr. McDonald. “This summer, we are looking to host a series of educational events to share more information about clinical research and how to participate.”

Joining Dr. McDonald as a Principal Investigator is Dr. Arti Thangudu, a triple board-certified physician in Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, as well as Internal Medicine. Dr. Thangudu is known for her integrative, lifestyle-focused approach to managing chronic conditions. Her expertise further solidifies the hub’s specialization in endocrine and metabolic disorders, ensuring that studies are grounded in deep clinical knowledge and a patient-first ethos. This concentration of specialized talent is designed to not only attract complex trials but also provide the highest level of safety and scientific rigor.

Expanding Access and Community Impact

For San Antonio residents, the opening of the Tekton hub translates directly into greater access to innovative treatments and advanced medical care. While the initial focus is on cardiometabolic health, the multi-specialty nature of the center means it will also support studies for conditions ranging from anxiety and migraines to women's health and infectious diseases. This broadens the opportunities for community members to participate in research that could lead to medical breakthroughs.

The facility itself is built for efficiency and high-quality study execution. It features four dedicated exam rooms, a private room for research monitors, and a team of experienced sub-investigators. Crucially, the site leverages an existing database of more than 12,000 potential participants, which is expected to streamline the often-challenging process of patient recruitment and help studies start and finish on schedule.

Beyond the trials themselves, Tekton's commitment to hosting educational events signals an effort to engage with and empower the local community. By demystifying the clinical research process, the organization aims to build trust and encourage more people to consider trials as a viable healthcare option. This community-focused approach strengthens San Antonio’s identity as a "City of Science and Health" and contributes to a more informed and health-literate populace.

The San Antonio hub is the first of several planned by Tekton, with additional sites slated to open soon in Dallas, Austin, and Oklahoma City. This expansion reflects the company's commitment to building a robust regional network capable of conducting large-scale, multi-site trials. By embedding its research operations within communities and partnering closely with practicing physicians, Tekton is positioning itself to not only accelerate drug development but also make participation in clinical research a more integrated and accessible part of patient care.

This model, which bridges the gap between community medical practice and advanced biopharmaceutical research, represents a significant evolution in how new therapies are developed and delivered. The success of the San Antonio hub will likely serve as a blueprint for future growth, potentially influencing how clinical trials are conducted across the country.