UW Spinout CellDrop Biosciences Launches Juniper Biosystems to Build Stem-Cell Production Center in Laramie

CellDrop Biosciences Inc., a University of Wyoming spinout company developing advanced cell-processing technologies, has announced the formation of Juniper Biosystems, a spinout that will build a stem-cell manufacturing center in Laramie designed to operate under current Good Manufacturing Practice, or cGMP, standards.

Wyoming's Stem Cell Freedom Act, Senate File 48, became effective July 1, and creates a state-level framework under which registered Wyoming physicians may provide certain physician-directed, autologous mesenchymal stem-cell therapies that meet the law's requirements. However, the law itself does not create manufacturing capacity.

Juniper Biosystems is being built to help address that infrastructure gap by developing Wyoming-based manufacturing capacity for autologous stem cells, meaning cells derived from a patient's own tissue.

"Wyoming has created a new pathway for regenerative medicine, and now the state needs the infrastructure to support it," says Benjamin Noren, co-founder and CEO of CellDrop Biosciences. "Juniper Biosystems is being created to provide that missing piece: Wyoming-based, SF 48-compliant stem-cell infrastructure for clinicians."

The company is moving forward with the build-out of its Laramie cell production center. The facility is intended to support Wyoming clinicians as the state's regenerative medicine ecosystem develops.

Juniper will leverage CellDrop's nearly decade-long foundation in Wyoming stem-cell technology. CellDrop Biosciences was founded in 2017 as a UW spinout based on Noren's doctoral research in the laboratory of Professor John Oakey in UW's Department of Chemical Engineering. The company has received National Science Foundation Phase I and Phase II Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) support for its regenerative medicine research.

"CellDrop started from University of Wyoming research and has spent years developing stem-cell technologies here in Laramie," Noren says. "Juniper harnesses that experience in a focused production company that can help build the infrastructure Wyoming clinicians will need."

"This is the kind of university-born innovation that can help Wyoming build new biotechnology capacity; retain scientific talent; translate research into practical infrastructure for the state; create high-tech jobs for UW graduates; and diversify the economy," says Parag Chitnis, UW's vice president for research and economic development.

About CellDrop Biosciences

CellDrop Biosciences is a Wyoming biotechnology company developing next-generation biomedical products. Founded in 2017 as a University of Wyoming spinout from Benjamin Noren's doctoral research in Professor John Oakey's chemical/biological engineering laboratory, the company has nearly a decade of experience developing stem-cell technologies. CellDrop has received NSF Phase I and Phase II STTR support for cutting-edge regenerative medicine research.

About Juniper Biosystems

Juniper Biosystems is a spinout focused on autologous stem-cell production in Laramie. The company is being created to support in-state production of autologous stem cells for clinicians under a new state law. For more information, call Noren at (906) 285-1872 or email [email protected].