North Carolina Biotechnology Center

Duke University is a private research university in Durham, North Carolina. Home of the Blue Devils, Duke University has about 15,000 undergraduate and graduate students and a world-class faculty helping to expand the frontiers of knowledge. The university has a strong commitment to applying knowledge in service to society, both near its North Carolina campus and around the world.

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, established in 1789 as the first public university in the United States, is dedicated to advancing education, research, and public service both locally and globally. It offers a diverse range of undergraduate and graduate programs across various fields, including arts, sciences, law, medicine, and nursing. The university is committed to fostering the next generation of leaders through a rigorous academic environment supported by exceptional faculty and staff. Additionally, it manages an endowment fund that finances scholarships, fellowships, research initiatives, and library resources, thereby enhancing the educational experience and promoting the success of its students. Through its outreach efforts, the university aims to improve the quality of life for citizens in North Carolina, leveraging knowledge and resources to serve the community effectively.

Plakous Therapeutics, Inc. is a human biologics company focused on restorative and regenerative healing through the development of biotherapeutics derived from post-delivery human placentas. Founded in 2016 and based in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, the company manufactures products such as Protego-PD, an orally delivered acellular biotherapeutic. Plakous Therapeutics utilizes the cytokines and growth factors found in human placentas to create allografts that aid in healing by leveraging the body's natural regenerative processes. The company aims to provide safe and effective therapeutic solutions that promote and sustain healing.

Plakous Therapeutics, Inc. is a human biologics company focused on restorative and regenerative healing through the development of biotherapeutics derived from post-delivery human placentas. Founded in 2016 and based in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, the company manufactures products such as Protego-PD, an orally delivered acellular biotherapeutic. Plakous Therapeutics utilizes the cytokines and growth factors found in human placentas to create allografts that aid in healing by leveraging the body's natural regenerative processes. The company aims to provide safe and effective therapeutic solutions that promote and sustain healing.

The Company is focused on the commercialization of its first oncology application: treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. It has completed a phase II study, which shows effectiveness as well as excellent tolerability, even in previously treated patients with severely impaired liver function. See less

​ Apie Therapeutics develop and commercialize novel Apelin Receptor biased agonist drug therapies, activating the Apelinergic System focused on the promising therapy targets of the Apelinergic System.

Avior Bio is a clinical-stage, pharmaceutical company developing drugs for distressed neurological conditions. Using its disruptive drug delivery technology – Speedit™ Transmucosal Film Technology – we are positioned to develop products that bring unsurpassed value in efficacy and safety. Avior has an excellent management team, a strong advisory board, supportive partners, dedicated scientists, and knowledgeable clinicians that position us to be successful.

Drive Therapeutics is a new biotechnology company that strives to improve treatment for retinal diseases.

North Carolina State University is an educational institution that offers graduate and undergraduate programs. The university offers academic qualifications in engineering, agriculture, life sciences, textiles and design, natural resources, and management through 106 bachelor’s degrees, 104 master’s degrees, 61 doctoral degrees, and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. The University of North Carolina’s 17 campuses extend from the state’s mountains to the coast. More than 220,000 students are enrolled at 16 universities and the NC School of Science and Mathematics, the country’s first public residential high school for gifted students. North Carolina State University is one of the eight universities with a presence at the North Carolina Research Campus, where it operates a research and education organization devoted to food crops. In March 2008, the university also launched the University Sustainability Office in order to address environmental concerns on campus. North Carolina State University was founded on March 7, 1987.

CasTag Biosciences specializes in cell biology and regenerative medicine, focusing on revolutionizing the speed of endogenously protein analysis. The company aims to accelerate scientific discovery by offering tools that allow scientists to study novel genes in any experimental model.

Chiesi USA is a pharmaceuticals company specializing in pharmaceutical research & development services.

BioAesthetics was founded in 2015 as a Tulane University spin-out with the mission to improve reconstruction options for breast cancer patients after they undergo mastectomies. The BioAesthetics’ initial product is a tissue-engineered nipple-areolar complex (NAC). This product will be provided to plastic and reconstructive surgeons as an off-the-shelf ready, acellular, NAC graft. During the breast reconstruction phase, after a mastectomy, the surgeon would engraft the NAC graft in position onto the patient’s reconstructed breast. The patient’s body would then use this NAC graft as a building frame to regenerate their own NAC. This patent-pending product is currently in the pre-clinical phase.

PRA International, a prominent contract research organization (CRO) headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina, specializes in providing outsourced clinical development and data solution services to the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries worldwide. The company operates in two main segments: Clinical Research and Data Solutions. The Clinical Research segment encompasses a range of services, including clinical trial management, regulatory affairs, biostatistics, and quality assurance, supporting all phases of drug development. Additionally, PRA offers strategic solutions such as embedded services and early development services for Phase I and II studies. The Data Solutions segment focuses on delivering data analytics, technology, and consulting services, providing clients with insights into market intelligence and commercial effectiveness. With over 10,000 employees operating in more than 80 countries, PRA has contributed to the successful development of numerous marketed drugs, conducting pivotal trials that have led to regulatory approvals. The company has also partnered with organizations like The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society to advance clinical research for specific diseases. Founded in 1976, PRA International has established itself as a leader in the global clinical research landscape.

Lindy Biosciences is a development-stage protein therapeutic formulations company. Our core technology produces spherical, dense, stable particles of a therapeutic protein. These protein particles are ideal for long-term storage, or for non-standard formulations such as suspension formulations (for high-concentration delivery of antibodies), encapsulation (for sustained/controlled release), or dry powder pulmonary delivery.​

Monoclonal antibodies make up an effective and rapidly growing class of drugs. They are also critical research tools and essential for the development of many new diagnostics. Isolere Bio was co-founded with the vision of simplifying and streamlining the purification of biotherapeutics to improve global access to these important drugs.

Locus Biosciences is a developer of a CRISPR-engineered precision antibacterial platform designed to revolutionize the treatment of bacterial disease. The company's platform combines the antibacterial power of CRISPR-Cas3 with the efficient, safe delivery of bacterial viruses called bacteriophage, enabling physicians to begin treatment more quickly, resulting in a better medical outcome.

Higgs Boson Health (HBH), a leading digital health company empowering all people undergoing acute interventional or surgical procedures to live healthier lives.

Cereius, Inc. is a privately owned, pre-clinical stage company based in Durham, North Carolina, focused on developing innovative small-molecule therapies for treating brain metastasis specifically in patients with HER2-positive breast cancer. Established in 2017, the company employs novel radiolabeling chemistries that improve the uptake and retention of radionuclides in targeted tumors while reducing uptake in normal tissues. This approach aims to significantly enhance both the therapeutic index and diagnostic contrast of targeting agents, positioning Cereius as a key player in the advancement of treatment options for solid tumor brain metastasis.

BiomedInnovations is a medical device company that makes precision air and fluid flow devices, including products for lung ventilators and ex-vivo organ and tissue perfusion.

Tellus Therapeutics is developing novel small molecules derived from human maternal breast milk for the treatment of newborns with perinatal brain injury.

North Carolina State University is an educational institution that offers graduate and undergraduate programs. The university offers academic qualifications in engineering, agriculture, life sciences, textiles and design, natural resources, and management through 106 bachelor’s degrees, 104 master’s degrees, 61 doctoral degrees, and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. The University of North Carolina’s 17 campuses extend from the state’s mountains to the coast. More than 220,000 students are enrolled at 16 universities and the NC School of Science and Mathematics, the country’s first public residential high school for gifted students. North Carolina State University is one of the eight universities with a presence at the North Carolina Research Campus, where it operates a research and education organization devoted to food crops. In March 2008, the university also launched the University Sustainability Office in order to address environmental concerns on campus. North Carolina State University was founded on March 7, 1987.

East Carolina University (ECU), founded in 1907 and located in Greenville, North Carolina, is a comprehensive educational institution offering a wide range of graduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs across various disciplines, including health sciences, medicine, nursing, fine arts, communication, technology, and business. Renowned for its Brody School of Medicine, ECU ranks highly in primary care and rural medicine, emphasizing research and innovation, particularly in robotic surgery. The university is also recognized for its College of Education, whose graduates have achieved state and national accolades. In addition to traditional courses, ECU provides adult learning opportunities and distance education. Student support services encompass career counseling, health services, and study abroad programs. The ECU Foundation, established in 1963, manages an endowment fund aimed at enhancing the university's academic programs and research initiatives through private contributions. As a non-profit institution, ECU operates under the University of North Carolina system, committed to fostering educational excellence and community engagement.

The University of North Carolina Wilmington, the state's coastal university, is dedicated to the integration of teaching and mentoring with research and service. University of North Carolina Wilmington, commitment to student engagement, creative inquiry, critical thinking, thoughtful expression and responsible citizenship is expressed in our baccalaureate and master's programs, as well as doctoral programs in areas of expertise that serve state needs. Our culture reflects our values of diversity and globalization, ethics and integrity, and excellence and innovation.

UNC Charlotte is North Carolina's urban research university. It leverages its location in the state's largest city to offer internationally competitive programs of research and creative activity, exemplary undergraduate, graduate and professional programs, and a focused set of community engagement initiatives. UNC Charlotte maintains a particular commitment to addressing the cultural, economic, educational, environmental, health, and social needs of the greater Charlotte region.

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, established in 1789 as the first public university in the United States, is dedicated to advancing education, research, and public service both locally and globally. It offers a diverse range of undergraduate and graduate programs across various fields, including arts, sciences, law, medicine, and nursing. The university is committed to fostering the next generation of leaders through a rigorous academic environment supported by exceptional faculty and staff. Additionally, it manages an endowment fund that finances scholarships, fellowships, research initiatives, and library resources, thereby enhancing the educational experience and promoting the success of its students. Through its outreach efforts, the university aims to improve the quality of life for citizens in North Carolina, leveraging knowledge and resources to serve the community effectively.

Duke BioRepository & Precision Pathology Center (BRPC), Duke’s largest human tissue biobank. BRPC stores samples from consented patients for use in research.

Aniluxx Biotechnology is a development stage biopharmaceutical company with a mission to improve companion animal health and well-being. The Company’s strategy is to translate its deep pipeline of topically formulated therapeutics, predicated on compounds that have already been identified as safe and effective in humans, into therapies for dogs, cats, and horses, that are easy to apply, virtually unnoticeable, and absent the harsh side effects of systemic medicines.

Arrevus, Inc., a clinical-stage biotechnology company, focuses on developing novel therapies for orphan diseases. Its product pipeline includes ARV-1801, a oral dosing regimen and formulation of fusidic acid for the treatment of pulmonary exacerbations in cystic fibrosis; ARV-1907, an inhaled formulation of fusidic acid for the treatment of persistent staphylococcus aureus lung infections in cystic fibrosis patients; ARV-1502, an engineered inhibitor of bacterial DnaK for cancer treatment; and ARV-1802, a leptin receptor antagonist for cancer treatment. The company was incorporated in 2015 and is headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina.

IMMvention Therapeutix, Inc. “IMMune Intervention for Auto-Inflammatory Diseases” IMMvention Therapeutix is focused on improving the lives of patients with auto-inflammatory diseases of huge unmet needs. The company is discovering and developing novel disease modifying therapies that inhibit the inflammation caused by activation of inflammasomes. The Company’s differentiation is its novel product pipeline powered by the intellectual capital of its team and a platform to discover small molecule inhibitors of **multiple** inflammasome receptors. The current 1st generation *single* receptor inflammasome inhibition approaches of other companies (such as IFM/Novartis, Nodthera, Inflazome etc.) are expected to be ineffective/suboptimal against diseases where **multiple** inflammasomes are activated. The Company’s initial target diseases are rare auto-inflammatory diseases (e.g. Bullous Pemphigoid, a blistering disease). The Company was co-founded in 2017 by pioneering scientists in the fields of immunology and innate immunity from the School of Medicine and Eshelman School of Pharmacy at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. This includes, Dr. Jenny Ting who is preeminent scientific leader in fields of immunology, innate immunity and inflammasomes. IMMvention has been funded to date by NIH SBIR grants/contracts, North Carolina Biotechnology Center and Pharma collaborations. The company raise its first venture funding to progress its novel small molecule preclinical therapeutics pipeline to the clinic for treating rare auto-inflammatory diseases.

Monoclonal antibodies make up an effective and rapidly growing class of drugs. They are also critical research tools and essential for the development of many new diagnostics. Isolere Bio was co-founded with the vision of simplifying and streamlining the purification of biotherapeutics to improve global access to these important drugs.

Emergo Therapeutics is a pharmaceutical startup that develops treatment options for flu-like illnesses. It is focused on developing drugs to modulate inflammatory cytokines and improve the functioning of the immune system in various potential indications, starting with infectious diseases. Emergo’s therapeutic interventions are focused on reducing the production of inflammatory cytokines from mast cells. Emergo is headquartered in Durham, North Carolina.

Based in Dallas, Texas, AveXis is a clinic-ready, synthetic biology platform company. AveXis has, at its core, a desire to establish unique industry and research alliances which will bring innovative treatments to people with unmet medical needs. Our work in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a rare/orphan disease, is our first focus.

Redbud Labs, Inc. is a company based in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, that specializes in developing and manufacturing microfluidic technologies and MEMS for the life sciences sector. It produces innovative products, including the MXR, a fully modular microfluidic mixer that enhances assay performance and is utilized by leading biotechnology firms. Redbud Labs focuses on creating solutions that facilitate small-volume sample collection, processing, and analysis, thereby improving efficiency in laboratory workflows. The company originated from research in Professor Richard Superfine’s group at the University of North Carolina and was incorporated in 2010.

TregTherapeutics is a preclinical stage company based in North Carolina, specializing in the development of innovative therapies for multiple sclerosis. The company is focused on creating a tolerogenic vaccine that leverages the regulatory functions of T-regulator cells (Tregs) to modulate the immune response. This approach aims to reverse the inflammatory attacks on the nervous system that characterize multiple sclerosis while promoting an anti-inflammatory response. TregTherapeutics has secured an exclusive license for its proprietary technology from East Carolina University, positioning it to potentially transform treatment outcomes for patients suffering from autoimmune diseases. Its commitment to advancing universal tolerance induction therapy reflects a strategic focus on addressing the underlying causes of neurodegenerative disorders.

Dualogics is a biotechnology company housed at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Dualogics uses a proprietary bispecific antibody technology to create bispecific antibody products with superior properties compared to alternative methods. Our goal is to collaborate with academic and industrial partners to develop and test a suite of multifunctional therapies and reagents.

Avior Bio is a clinical-stage, pharmaceutical company developing drugs for distressed neurological conditions. Using its disruptive drug delivery technology – Speedit™ Transmucosal Film Technology – we are positioned to develop products that bring unsurpassed value in efficacy and safety. Avior has an excellent management team, a strong advisory board, supportive partners, dedicated scientists, and knowledgeable clinicians that position us to be successful.

InnAVasc Medical, Inc. is a medical device company based in Durham, North Carolina, focused on developing innovative solutions for vascular access in hemodialysis. Founded by surgeons from Duke University, the company has created the Bullet Proof Vascular Access Graft, an advanced arteriovenous graft designed with two multilayer cannulation chambers. This technology features low bleed capabilities and is engineered to resist posterior and sidewall needle penetration, thereby minimizing the risk of needle cannulation injuries. By modifying existing synthetic vascular grafts, InnAVasc aims to enhance immediate hemodialysis access and improve graft access safety, ultimately reducing the likelihood of adverse events and device failures associated with repeated vascular access procedures.

Cereius, Inc. is a privately owned, pre-clinical stage company based in Durham, North Carolina, focused on developing innovative small-molecule therapies for treating brain metastasis specifically in patients with HER2-positive breast cancer. Established in 2017, the company employs novel radiolabeling chemistries that improve the uptake and retention of radionuclides in targeted tumors while reducing uptake in normal tissues. This approach aims to significantly enhance both the therapeutic index and diagnostic contrast of targeting agents, positioning Cereius as a key player in the advancement of treatment options for solid tumor brain metastasis.

Locus Biosciences is a developer of a CRISPR-engineered precision antibacterial platform designed to revolutionize the treatment of bacterial disease. The company's platform combines the antibacterial power of CRISPR-Cas3 with the efficient, safe delivery of bacterial viruses called bacteriophage, enabling physicians to begin treatment more quickly, resulting in a better medical outcome.

Locus Biosciences is a developer of a CRISPR-engineered precision antibacterial platform designed to revolutionize the treatment of bacterial disease. The company's platform combines the antibacterial power of CRISPR-Cas3 with the efficient, safe delivery of bacterial viruses called bacteriophage, enabling physicians to begin treatment more quickly, resulting in a better medical outcome.

Baebies, Inc. specializes in manufacturing screening and pediatric testing equipment for newborns. The company produces SEEKER, a laboratory solution that simultaneously conducts multiple assays to quantitatively measure lysosomal enzyme activity from a single dried blood spot specimen. Additionally, Baebies offers FINDER, a near-patient testing device designed for pediatric applications. Serving hospitals and public health laboratories, Baebies aims to enhance newborn screening and pediatric testing through innovative technologies. Founded in 2014 by Richard West and Vamsee Pamula, the company has evolved from the successful development of digital microfluidics technology and the sale of Advanced Liquid Logic to Illumina. Based in Durham, North Carolina, Baebies focuses on improving health outcomes for children by introducing new tests and solutions for healthcare professionals and parents.

Advanced Chemotherapy Technologies is a healthcare company that is developing breakthrough combination drug-device technologies for treating pancreatic cancer.

Baebies, Inc. specializes in manufacturing screening and pediatric testing equipment for newborns. The company produces SEEKER, a laboratory solution that simultaneously conducts multiple assays to quantitatively measure lysosomal enzyme activity from a single dried blood spot specimen. Additionally, Baebies offers FINDER, a near-patient testing device designed for pediatric applications. Serving hospitals and public health laboratories, Baebies aims to enhance newborn screening and pediatric testing through innovative technologies. Founded in 2014 by Richard West and Vamsee Pamula, the company has evolved from the successful development of digital microfluidics technology and the sale of Advanced Liquid Logic to Illumina. Based in Durham, North Carolina, Baebies focuses on improving health outcomes for children by introducing new tests and solutions for healthcare professionals and parents.

Baebies, Inc. specializes in manufacturing screening and pediatric testing equipment for newborns. The company produces SEEKER, a laboratory solution that simultaneously conducts multiple assays to quantitatively measure lysosomal enzyme activity from a single dried blood spot specimen. Additionally, Baebies offers FINDER, a near-patient testing device designed for pediatric applications. Serving hospitals and public health laboratories, Baebies aims to enhance newborn screening and pediatric testing through innovative technologies. Founded in 2014 by Richard West and Vamsee Pamula, the company has evolved from the successful development of digital microfluidics technology and the sale of Advanced Liquid Logic to Illumina. Based in Durham, North Carolina, Baebies focuses on improving health outcomes for children by introducing new tests and solutions for healthcare professionals and parents.

Dignify Therapeutics is a drug development company focused on delivering novel drug therapies for bladder and bowel disorders in spinal cord injured, multiple sclerosis and similar patient populations. By combining novel pharmaceutical agents with drug delivery technology, Dignify Therapeutics will redefine the treatment of these disorders and restore the dignity of voluntary excretory function for these patients. The company was founded in 2013 and is headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Panacea Biomatx offers its customers with nutritional supplements that are according to each person’s gender, age, and weight. Customers are able to personalize their mix by choosing a flavor. Panacea Biomatx was founded by Edison Hudson and Staton Noel in January 2013. It is based in Durham, North Carolina.

Jenken Biosciences is a specialty pharmaceutical company dedicated to the development and commercialization of first-in-class small molecules as TLR4 antagonists. TLR4 (Toll-Like Receptor 4) is a transmembrane protein, a key mediator of inflammatory responses, and a member of TLR family which are mainstays of the innate immune system. Recently, TLR4 has attracted considerable clinical attention and is the subject of a number of published studies on inflammation associated with chronic liver disease, inflammatory bowel disease, cancer, and diabetes, as well as organ damage to the kidney and lung. The Company's drug development strategy is to reduce time-to-market and to lower risk and development costs by re-profiling approved drugs. In addition, the company is developing a rich pipeline of novel chemical entities (NCEs) for therapies of chronic liver disease, inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and diabetes, as well as organ damage to the kidney and the lung.