Winston-Salem, NC / April 15, 2025 — The Piedmont Triad Regenerative Medicine Engine (PTRME), funded by the National Science Foundation, presented its first large-scale workshop to support biotech researchers, founders, and entrepreneurs on April 14 and 15.
The Founders’ Journey, hosted at nonprofit incubator and accelerator Winston Starts, focused on starting venture-backed biotechnology businesses with more than 10 experts sharing their real-world experiences.
“PTRME’s top goal is to create a cooperative ecosystem in which researchers can commercialize their biotechnology and regenerative medicine solutions, create jobs and impact economic development—and that begins by establishing a strong entrepreneurial foundation,” said Tim Bertram, CEO of PTRME. “We have the unique opportunity to build an industrial-academic ecosystem focused on regenerative medicine commercialization that does not exist anywhere else in the world.”
Sessions covered a wide variety of topics from idea validation to regulatory pathways and company formation to team building. The first day of the Founders’ Journey culminated in a fireside chat with local biotech CEOs and state officials:
- Carrie DiMarzio, CEO of BMI OrganBank (panelist)
- AJ Mellott, CEO of Ronawk (panelist)
- Mike Carnes, VP of Emerging Company Development at NC Biotech (panelist)
- John Hardin, Executive Director of the N.C. Board of Science, Technology, and Innovation (panelist)
- Nancy Johnston, Executive Director of NC Biotech’s Piedmont Triad office (moderator)
On the second day, attendees took part in ‘office hours,’ sitting down one-on-one for tailored mentoring and advice with industry experts.
“Scientists make great entrepreneurs. The Triad region has immense potential for biotech startups, especially with our rich and diverse range of higher education institutions. Winston Starts is proud to pair our entrepreneurial expertise with PTRME’s regenerative medicine expertise to tap into this potential,” said Stan Parker, president of Winston Starts.
The Founders’ Journey was underwritten by the National Science Foundation and The Builder Platform, an organization dedicated to supporting the growth of the NSF’s Regional Economic Engines. Funded by the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, the NSF awarded its inaugural cohort of Regional Economic Engines in early 2024. PTRME initially received $15 million and is eligible, upon meeting certain standards and criteria, to receive total funding of $160 million over the coming decade.
“Regenerative medicine solutions are being advanced frequently. Decisions on how to commercialize these technologies so they can have the most impact on lives is important for our global community. With the Piedmont Triad Regenerative Medicine Engine, we know that our region will be well positioned to take advantage of this emerging field,” said Dr. Anthony Atala, director of the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine.
About the Piedmont Triad Regenerative Medicine Engine
The Piedmont Triad Regenerative Medicine Engine (PTRME), is a National Science Foundation (NSF) funded program awarded to the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine (WFIRM), supporting economic development in a 16-county region of central North Carolina through use-inspired research, technology translation, and workforce development at WFIRM, Winston-Salem State University, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, and Forsyth Technical Community College. By fostering innovation in regenerative medicine, PTRME supports the development of new technologies, the creation of new jobs and the attraction of 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 central North Carolina as the leading location for the rapidly growing regenerative medicine industry.
About the 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 16 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 School of Medicine, 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.
About Winston Starts
Winston Starts is a non-profit accelerator that helps startup companies successfully scale up their businesses. Located in Winston-Salem, N.C., the organization provides expert mentoring, customized coaching, state-of-the-art office space and discounted professional services.