Capra Biosciences Inc., a Sterling biotech that makes ingredients for cosmetics, just got $7.5 million from the federal government for a project to combat drug ingredient shortages.
The agreement was made through the federal-backed BioMaP-Consortium, which supports research and advancing biomedical manufacturing. Project funding comes from the Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response and the Office of Industrial Base Manufacturing and Supply Chain. The effort to bolster biomanufacturing came through a 2022 executive order aimed at controlling production and boosting the economy.
Co-founder and CEO Liz Onderko said Capra’s technology is well-suited for manufacturing work to address pharmaceutical ingredient shortages. According to the Food and Drug Administration, there are more than 100 drug shortages as of July 22.
Onderko declined to disclose Capra’s revenue.
The BioMaP-Consortium opportunity was announced Jan. 11, and Capra was selected due to its bioreactors using low-cost raw materials to make chemicals — including its first commercial product, retinol.
Capra previously used 3-foot bioreactors that are known for using raw materials like food waste and agricultural byproducts to make retinol. Onderko said they may not use the same waste-based materials for pharmaceutical production, depending on regulations, and their bioreactors can use a broad range of materials for production.
Onderko said the selection of pharmaceutical ingredients for manufacturing will be guided by the FDA’s list of essential medicines. A final decision is made with the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response, she said.
In April 2023, Capra secured $2 million from BioMADE, a public-private partnership backed by New York’s Schmidt Futures, to advance its technology, launch a new facility and double its headcount.
The company recently closed a $3.95 million seed funding round led by New York's Closed Loop Ventures Group, which funds material science, manufacturing and technology companies. It was joined in the round by Princeton, New Jersey's Sosv, San Mateo, California's GS Futures and Houston's First Bight Ventures, among others, Onderko said. This seed round, in addition to funds from BioMADE, helped with site expansion and staff growth, Onderko said.
She said the company's new facility is located at 101 International Drive, roughly 10,000 square feet of space that houses its now up to 18-foot bioreactors. More renovations are planned for additional lab space, she said.
“We’ve finished that renovation step. We’re looking forward to the next stage, which is being able to commercially sell retinol,” said Onderko.
Capra also achieved its goal of doubling staff. It now employs 12 staff compared to only six last year, Onderko said.
