The Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine (WFIRM), along with the RegenMed Development Organization (ReMDO) have launched the RegeneratOR Test Bed, which will serve as an economic growth accelerator for startups and mid-to-large sized companies.
The RegeneratOR Test Bed, located at the Innovation Quarter in downtown Winston-Salem, will provide access to state-of-the-art biomanufacturing equipment, industry expertise and talent to support novel prototyping and commercial product development.
Regenerative medicine is the practice of developing methods to regrow, repair or replace damaged or diseased cells, organs or tissues, including the generation of therapeutic stem cells, tissue engineering and the production of artificial organs.
Dr. Anthony Atala, director of WFIRM, said there has already been a $50 million investment in the project and he expects to receive another $100 million.
“The major roadblock that was identified about 10 years ago was manufacturing from the field,” Atala said.
According to Atala, the United States is a great place for innovation but when it comes to manufacturing, many companies end up going abroad. He said the way to prevent that from happening with RegenMed is to be innovative in science, as well as manufacturing.
Through its 11 external partners, which include Oracle, PHC Group, and BioSpherix, the test bed can work toward achieving this goal.
For example, Oracle is using its machine learning and data analytics capabilities to solve regenerative medicine manufacturing challenges. BioSpherix is also providing modular units for manufacturing clinical products, and PHC is providing digital solutions ranging from tissue processing technologies to artificial intelligence for improving workflow efficiencies.
Steven Lynum. executive director of corporate development at PHC, which was one of the largest manufacturers of ultra-low temperature freezers for Covid-19 vaccine storage, said the endeavor aligns with PHC’s mission.
“No matter how good technology you have, you need the proper environments,” Lynum said. “It’s so exciting to see this type of collaboration and preparedness.”
Atala said they are in the process of recruiting companies to come to Winston-Salem because of the test bed, but the number of companies that can be supported is unknown as of now. Atala said the test bed is expected to create jobs as more recruited companies come to the area.
“We do expect this to create jobs. We are now seeking jobs in this space. So, all these entities are actually seeking jobs in this space. The hope is to make that grow over time,” he said.
The test bed will be based in Winston-Salem, but the goal is for it to reach much further than the Triad’s 12 counties.
“This is all based right here in Winston. But, of course, even though it’s space here in Winston, the scope is national. We want to make sure that it has a national impact for the field,” Atala said. “But basically, all the entities … described today are based here in Winston.”
Atala said that Atrium Health, Wake Forest’s recent strategic partner, will be heavily involved in this effort and will attract major investments to the state.
“They have 50 hospitals, 3,000 outpatient units. So, as we roll out these technologies for our patients that we’re doing now, in terms of clinical trials and getting therapies to patients, [Atrium] is going to be a great outlet to get these technologies out there to our Charlotte corridor.”
Christopher Chung, CEO of Economic Development Partnership of NC, said regenerative medicine is projected to grow annually by 34-35% over the next five years.
Chung said the goal is for Winston-Salem to become synonymous with regenerative medicine and to become the world's capital of regenerative medicine, Chung said.
But. the amount of economic development and jobs that will create for Winston-Salem, and the Triad as a whole, is unknown.
“You really look at what the industry growth is and it’s really about what’s your odds of capturing as much of that,” Chung said.
“Now, the question is, ‘If that’s the growth of the industry, how much of the innovation and entrepreneurship are planned in this area? How much will established, mature companies chose to set up something here so that they can tap into some of the developments that the institute is doing?’”
The answer to those questions is “anybody’s guess,” Chung said.
“So, I think the key here is that there’s not very many places around this country that have decided to focus so tightly on this specific aspect of human health and medicine,” he said.
“And just by having that focus, along with the resources to make that possible, that’s going to give this community a better shot at capturing some of the economic upside from growth in this industry.”
The RegeneratOR Test Bed is a part of a larger Regenerative Medicine Hub, an ecosystem that brings together and draws upon the resources and talent available through the Innovation Quarter.
The test bed is also one of three focused areas that operate through ReMDO’s RegeneratOR. The two other focus areas are the RegeneratOR Business Incubator and the RegeneratOR Workforce Development.
The business incubator supports innovation from research to commercialization for regenerative medicine startups and growth companies by providing space and support, including market potential validation, benefit analysis, financial planning, budgeting, and comprehensive business plans.
The workforce development is a resource that connects an educational network of 21 colleges, university programs and technical schools, which includes Winston-Salem State University, North Carolina A&T University, UNC-Greensboro and Forsyth Tech.
Biomanufacturing staff, engineers, and research leaders will train highly skilled biomanufacturing technicians and researchers to support the regenerative medicine field regionally and nationally.
Dr. Josh Hunsberger, chief technology officer of ReMDO, said, “With a focus on the test bed, business incubator and workforce development, we believe we can heighten awareness of the regenerative medicine ecosystem and powerhouse that already exists here to bring in new companies, while at the same time help the field move forward.”
