WINSTON-SALEM – A collaboration between two Winston-Salem based organizations leading work in the field of regenerative medicine, The RegeneratOR Test Bed, opened today.

The project, advanced by the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine (WFIRM), the largest regenerative medicine institute in the world, and the RegenMed Development Organization (ReMDO), a non-profit foundation, aims to help launch startups, advance the regenerative medicine ecosystem, and spur economic development in Winston-Salem.

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Based in the Innovation Quarter, the effort will provide new or emerging scientists and companies access to state-of-the-art biomanufacturing equipment, industry expertise, and talent, according to a spokesperson for the Test Bed, which will boost and support the novel prototyping of commercially viable products and advance their development.

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‘With a focus on the Test Bed, business incubator and workforce development, we believe we can heighten awareness of the regenerative medicine ecosystem and powerhouse that already exists here to bring in new companies, while at the same time help the field move forward,” said Josh Hunsberger, Ph.D., ReMDO’s Chief Technology Officer, in a statement.

External partners are involved in the project, including Oracle, BioSpherix, and PHC (formerly known as Panasonic Healthcare Corporation).  According to a statement, Oracle is bringing machine learning and data analytics into solving regenerative medicine manufacturing challenges, Biospherix is providing modular units for the manufacturing of clinical products, and PHC is providing precision and digital solutions that range from tissue processing technologies to AI capabilities for improving workflow efficiencies.

WFIRM research lab technicians Denethia Green and Kristina Stumpf (foreground) test out LabSat® Research, an ultra-rapid automated staining that reduces turnaround times, provided to the RegeneratOR Test Bed by PHC.

The Test Bed is the latest of three focused areas that operate through ReMDO, which aims to make technologies more affordable and speed up the translation to clinical practice. The nonprofit also operates an incubator and a workforce development resource program.

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The Test Bed will support startups as well as mid-stage and growing companies.

“Many of these companies are dedicated to a broad range of technologies, such as 3D printing, and cell and tissue therapies. Additionally, there are also businesses supporting the field in areas such as the production of reagents and diagnostics,” said Anthony Atala, MD, director of WFIRM.  “We believe this region has a lot to offer in terms of helping these companies be successful, and, at the same time, we can advance the regenerative medicine field nationally.