WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – November 21, 2024 — FetTech, the inventors of multiple FDA-cleared regenerative medicine devices used for trauma, wound care, and aesthetics, has recently transitioned all ReyaGel manufacturing from Florida to Winston-Salem’s Novex Innovations, a specialized contract development and manufacturing firm. This strategic move is a part of FetTech’s growth plan to broaden its geographic reach, tapping into Novex Innovations as a trusted partner of the NSF-funded Piedmont Triad Regenerative Medicine Engine (PTRME) to support the company’s expansion. The deal is expected to stimulate local economic growth by creating new job opportunities at Novex and FetTech.
“Transitioning our manufacturing to Novex Innovations was a natural choice. Working with a company that shares our values aligns perfectly with our mission,” said Clay Fette, Founder and CEO of FetTech. “This collaboration is set to create local jobs and stimulate economic growth, bolstering the NSF-supported PTRME’s position as a premier hub for regenerative medicine. As active members of this Engine, we both benefit from unparalleled resources and collaborative networks that drive commercialization, enhance outcomes, and contribute to regional prosperity.”
Through this partnership, FetTech and Novex Innovations aim to further their commitment to advancing regenerative medicine. “At Novex Innovations, we are driven to expand access to cutting-edge regenerative medicine technologies,” said Jerry Barker, Founder and CEO of Novex Innovations. “Partnering with NSF-supported PTRME companies allows us to collaborate with like-minded partners and tap into a robust network dedicated to advancing innovation. This ecosystem not only supports our growth but reinforces our commitment to making impactful solutions accessible to all.”
Both FetTech and Novex Innovations are members of the Piedmont Triad Regenerative Medicine Engine, (PTRME), an ecosystem spanning industry, academia, government, economic developers, and non-profits designed to accelerate the commercialization of scientific discoveries into available technologies, with regional workforce development and job creation. The ecosystem serves 16 central counties of North Carolina and is centered in Winston-Salem, NC. The hub connects startups with the resources, expertise, workspaces and collaboration opportunities they need to build, grow and scale. Startups have access to a fully equipped, state-of-the-art manufacturing prototype test bed, regulatory advice, office and lab spaces, and trial opportunities.
“The ecosystem within the NSF-supported Piedmont Triad Regenerative Medicine Engine is unparalleled in its potential to foster growth and innovation,” said Fette. “I believe in this ecosystem because it brings together researchers, institutions, companies, and the community to create solutions with meaningful economic and societal impacts. It’s why I’m committed to growing our business here— leveraging these collaborative resources not only advances our company but helps develop the local workforce and strengthens the entire region’s position as a leader in regenerative medicine.”
Dr. Tim Bertram, CEO of the PTRME, which is powered by an investment from the National Science Foundation Innovation Engine program to the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, says, “Together with the NSF and all our partners, we’re providing a mutually supportive symbiotic ecosystem focused on the commercialization of cell, gene, and tissue engineering products. We’re designing collaborations like this one to bring an economic lift to the community and expands regenerative technology development.”
About FetTech
FetTech is a regenerative medicine company making breakthroughs in regenerative technologies. It developed its Multi-Tissue Platform (MTP) technology to bring the power of regenerative medicine to the biggest gaps and unsolved challenges in healthcare. FDA-cleared MTP products have already supported wound care in thousands of patients and have been shown to have antiviral activity against enveloped viruses.
About Novex Innovations
Novex Innovations is a CDMO (Contract Development/Manufacturing Organization) supporting clients’ efforts in the commercialization of their products. Clients range from small to multinational companies. Novex Innovations provides process development, manufacturing, storage, and product distribution, all under cGMP procedures and policies. Novex is FDA registered and certified with the American Association of Tissue Banks (AATB). For clinical and commercial manufacturing, it operates in cleanroom and biological safety cabinet space certified to ISO 5 (Class 100) with anterooms at ISO 6 (Class 1000). It also certifies lab spaces at ISO 7 or 8 (Class 10000/Class 100000) depending on activity requirements. The Quality System is regularly monitored to the current ISO 13485 standards by BSI. Novex also provides options for storage and distribution of the products they produce.
About The Piedmont Triad Regenerative Medicine Engine
The Piedmont Triad Regenerative Medicine Engine (PTRME), is a National Science Foundation (NSF) funded program of the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine. The Engine is a key driver of economic growth in Central North Carolina. By fostering innovation in regenerative medicine, PTRME supports the development of new technologies, creating jobs and attracting investment to the region. The initiative unites academia, industry, and government to accelerate commercialization, provide resources to startups, and train a skilled workforce, thereby cementing the Piedmont Triad as leading center in the rapidly growing regenerative medicine industry.
About Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine: The Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine is recognized as an international leader in translating scientific discovery into clinical therapies, with many world firsts, including the development and implantation of the first engineered organ in a patient. Over 550 people at the institute, the largest in the world, work on more than 40 different tissues and organs. A number of the basic principles of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine were first developed at the institute. WFIRM researchers have successfully engineered replacement tissues and organs in all four categories – flat structures, tubular tissues, hollow organs and solid organs – and 17 different applications of cell/tissue therapy technologies, such as skin, urethras, cartilage, bladders, muscle, kidney, and vaginal organs, have been successfully used in human patients. The institute, which is part of Wake Forest University, is located in the Innovation Quarter in downtown Winston-Salem, NC, and is driven by the urgent needs of patients. The institute is making a global difference in regenerative medicine through collaborations with over 500 entities and institutions worldwide, through its government, academic and industry partnerships, its start-up entities, and through major initiatives in breakthrough technologies, such as tissue engineering, cell therapies, diagnostics, drug discovery, biomanufacturing, nanotechnology, gene editing and 3D printing. Learn more at WFIRM.org.
Media Contact:
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