About the
Regenerative Medicine Engine
Our Ecosystem’s Story
Most regenerative medicine technologies in the U.S. today don’t reach those who need them. Only an estimated 19% of cell and gene therapies get approved—and make it to market—according to a recent analysis.
But they’re not failing because of science, but because of gaps in infrastructure and commercialization pathways.
For regenerative medicine technologies to make a real-world impact, organizations and companies need a level of coordinated support, entrepreneurial readiness, workforce development, and regulatory navigation that doesn’t exist.
Until now.
The Regenerative Medicine Engine is a new national model of scientific innovation and economic revitalization—the-first-of-its-kind ecosystem for this industry. Our goal is to translate promising innovations to market while creating economic growth.
And we’re not doing it alone.
The Regenerative Medicine Engine, based in North Carolina, builds upon a decade’s worth of behind-the-scenes work by leaders at the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine (WFIRM) and the Regenerative Medicine Development Organization (ReMDO) who recognized years ago that this new scientific field has the potential to be a global industry. They began putting in the work and in 2024, WFIRM was one of nine inaugural recipients of the National Science Foundation’s Regional Innovation Engine funding awards.
More than 150 companies, nonprofits, and academic institutions from across the United States and the globe are helping us achieve our mission. Together, we are the Regenerative Medicine Engine.
With the National Science Foundation’s support, the Regenerative Medicine Engine will be able to bridge the gaps in product commercialization—at an exponential pace.
Our Mission
Our mission is to drive economic growth by translating use-inspired research into commercialized regenerative medicine technologies and developing a skilled workforce.
The Regenerative Medicine Engine Leadership Team
Tim Bertram, Phd
Chief Executive Officer
Jesse Thornburg, PhD
Chief Operations Officer
Karen Barnes
Ecosystem Development Officer
Anthony Atala, MD
Chief Innovation Officer
Jessica Jones
External Evaluator
Stefanie Walling, MBA
Chief Marketing Officer
Lillian Johnson
Chief Communications Officer
Josh Hunsberger
Chief Partnership and Stakeholder Engagement Officer
Del L. Ruff
Regional Engagement Lead
North Carolina A&T State University
Jill Keith, PhD
Regional Engagement
Co-Lead
Winston-Salem State University
Brenda Latham-Sadler, MD
Regional Engagement
Co-Lead
Wake Forest University School of Medicine
Russ H. Read, MA
Workforce Development Co-Lead
National Center for the Biotechnology Workforce
Joan F. Schanck, MPA
Workforce Development Co-Lead
Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine
Graça Almeida-Porada, MD, PhD
Research & Development Co-Lead
Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine
Salil Desai, PhD
Research & Development Co-Lead
North Carolina A&T State University
Steven R. Bauer, PhD
Translational Lead
Bert Clayton, BS
Translation Co-Lead
Jana Stoudemire
In-Space Lead
Isaac Perry, MBA
Economic Development Officer
Innovation Quarter & Greater Winston-Salem, Inc
Tim Wright, MD
Entrepreneurial Officer
Julie Watson, JD
Legal / IP Officer
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Dr. Anthony Atala serves as the Director of Innovation for the NSF-PTRME and is the Founder and Director of the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine. Dr. Atala is founding board member and equity holder in entities within the PTRME ecosystem, including Biorg, Caylyx, the Tygrus subsidiary Miracus, Plureon, and Precise Bio. He does not receive any compensation from these commercial entities.
Dr. Timothy A. Bertram serves as the CEO for the NSF-PTRME and is the Chief Economic Development Program Officer for the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine. Dr. Bertram serves as Chair of the MasKidney Board of Directors and is founder of ProKidney. He is an equity holder in both entities which are within the PTRME ecosystem. Dr. Bertram does not receive any compensation from these commercial entities.
Dr. Shay Soker serves as an investigator under the NSF-PTRME grant and is a Professor at the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine. He is a founding board member and equity holder in several entities within the PTRME ecosystem, including Biorg and Precise Bio. Dr. Soker does not receive any compensation from these commercial entities.
Timothy R. Wright is a member of the PTRME team leadership team and has an appointment at the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine as Portfolio Director. Mr. Wright is an equity holder, President and CEO of BIORG, a company within the PTRME ecosystem. He does not receive any compensation from this commercial entity.
Dr. James Yoo serves as an investigator under the NSF-PTRME grant and is a Professor at the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine. Dr. Yoo is a founding member and equity holder of Biorg, an entity within the PTRME ecosystem. He does not receive any compensation from this commercial entity.