Houston Methodist has joined the Texas Medical Center's recently opened Helix Park campus, further solidifying the hospital system's city thumbprint as an innovative leader in health-care research.

The move, leasing 75,800 square feet of space at the park's Dynamic One life sciences building, aligns with Houston Methodist's commitment to rapid translational research growth, as the institution plans to introduce two full floors of state-of-the-art biomedical research laboratories.

"We are always focused on translating innovative medical discoveries into viable therapies for patients," Edward A. Jones, president and CEO of the Houston Methodist Research Institute, said in a Texas Medical Center press release this week announcing the deal. "These highly entrepreneurial programs, which translate these discoveries to the bedside, are a natural fit within the emerging biotechnology ecosystem that the TMC is cultivating."

The leased space will host several groundbreaking Houston Methodist research programs, with an initial focus on cardiovascular sciences, orthopedics and RNA therapeutics.

The signing of the Helix Park lease comes five months after Houston Methodist became the first health care institution to become part of the Ion, the cornerstone of the city's ambitious project to develop a Silicon Bayou. Houston Methodist's 1,200-square-foot facility there will serve as a collaborative arena for inventors and a dynamic laboratory for digital health technology.

(Related: Houston Methodist Launches Tech Hub at the Ion, City's New Innovation Corridor)

Helix Park's Dynamic One building, a collaborative effort between Beacon Capital Partners and Zoë Life Sciences, opened its doors in fall 2023. Houston Methodist is the second institution to secure space in the building, following Baylor College of Medicine signing on as the anchor tenant a year ago.

Beacon Capital Partners, in collaboration with TMC, created the 355,000-square-foot building to integrate commercial life sciences, curated retail and academic and health care spaces into a discovery environment. Three move-in-ready Beacon labs that prioritize flexibility and speed are scheduled to open in summer 2024.

Helix Park is designed to encourage unprecedented collaboration in advancing medical discoveries. The addition of Houston Methodist to this space enhances the campus's vision of seamlessly blending institutions and industry, according to William McKeon, president and CEO of the Texas Medical Center.

"We are excited to welcome Houston Methodist to this space," McKeon said in the press release. "Their commitment to bench-to-bedside innovation and track record of transformative new discoveries aligns with our vision for the campus."

Dynamic One is strategically located within Helix Park and features a multipurpose lounge, outdoor terrace, fitness center and direct MetroRail route access.

"Our rewarding partnership with TMC has resulted in the creation of one of the most ambitious life science projects in the world," Fred Seigel, president and CEO of Beacon, added in the press release. "It is bringing together the best institutions and brightest minds in clinical care, research and industry, which is highlighted by the addition of the Houston Methodist Research Institute to Helix Park."

The Houston Methodist Research Institute supports more than 1,387 clinical research protocols and $70.3 million in extramurally funded translational research programs annually.