Less than 90 days ago, six innovative companies were awarded $2.5 million in PTRME grants, and they are already making a significant impact on job growth and regional economic development. Over the next 12 months, at least 15 new positions are expected across multiple sectors. These roles include product development, engineering, business development, and lab technology. Some hires are already in progress, demonstrating the rapid momentum fueled by these grants.
Job Growth by Company
Brinter, a PTRME grant awardee, recently welcomed Steven Brown as R&D Manager, enhancing its expertise in medical device engineering. In another exciting development, Novex Innovations—now partnered with PTRME grant recipient FetTech to manufacture its ReyaGel technology—has expanded its leadership team. Novex recently appointed James G. Stout, Ph.D., as VP of Manufacturing Operations, focusing on process development, scale-up manufacturing, and job growth. Novex is currently hiring key leadership and lab positions, including a QA Biologics Manager and Lab Technicians, further contributing to the region’s bioeconomy expansion.
Additionally, BMI OrganBank, another PTRME grant recipient, has expanded its team with three new hires this quarter. Thanks to the NSF-funded program supporting the commercialization of the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine’s (WFIRM) Universal Bioreactor technology, BMI OrganBank has brought on three Research Engineers—Jordynn Foster, Tyler Adcock, and Josh Copus. These new team members will work at the PTRME Innovation Accelerator in Winston-Salem, strengthening the bioeconomy and keeping emerging talent in the region. Two of the new hires are recent graduates of North Carolina universities, and the third, who trained at WFIRM, was recruited from another local company, further demonstrating PTRME’s impact.
“These new hires reflect the incredible momentum we are building through PTRME’s support,” said Carrie DiMarzio, CEO of BMI OrganBank. “By expanding our team, we are not only accelerating the development of groundbreaking regenerative medicine technologies, but also creating high-impact job opportunities that contribute to the growing bioeconomy.”
Meet the PTRME Grant Recipients and Their Pioneering Work
The six companies selected for PTRME grants are advancing transformative projects in regenerative medicine and biomanufacturing:
Biorg, Inc. is developing immune-competent tumor organoids for applications in immuno-oncology. This project will advance organoid biomanufacturing in the Piedmont Triad region, translating academic research into commercial products to enhance oncology treatments and further establish the region’s expertise in regenerative medicine.
Brinter, Inc. is manufacturing high-strength, regenerative orthobiologic implants designed to repair tendons. Using advanced materials, Brinter’s technology aims to improve the regenerative process, promoting faster and more effective tendon recovery.
BMI OrganBank is commercializing organ banking technology to revolutionize transplantation. With more than 100,000 people on U.S. transplant waiting lists, this initiative addresses two key barriers: transporting living organs and confirming their viability prior to implantation, significantly improving efficiency in the transplant process.
BioSpherix, LLC is establishing the BioSpherix Center for Cytocentric Technology at PTRME in Winston-Salem to accelerate cell-based technology translation. The center will utilize BioSpherix’s Xvivo System®, streamlining cell culture manufacturing and simplifying workforce training.
Humabiologics, LLC is advancing human collagen biomanufacturing for innovative regenerative applications. Their project introduces human collagen as a new class of biomaterials, driving progress in regenerative medicine and enhancing biomanufacturing processes.
FetTech, LLC is developing a gel that aids tissue regeneration. By advancing this technology, FetTech is addressing complex challenges in tissue repair and accelerating the development of scalable regenerative solutions to improve quality of life.
PTRME’s investments are not only fueling breakthrough innovations, but also creating high-quality job growth that will shape the future of regenerative medicine and biomanufacturing. As these companies continue to grow, they reinforce PTRME’s mission of fostering economic development and keeping top-tier talent in the region.