NCBiotech News

Two North Carolina universities with growing research capabilities have received the highest classification that a doctoral university can receive.

East Carolina University and the University of North Carolina Charlotte both announced on Feb. 13 that they have been classified as Research 1 (R1) by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.

DetraPel, Inc., a clean-tech advanced materials company, will relocate its headquarters and advanced manufacturing operations to Charlotte. The company will invest $3.5 million and bring more than 30 new jobs to Southwest Charlotte. 

“As DetraPel has evolved into a leading barrier coating company, we have sought a location that reflects our ambitious vision,” said DetraPel CEO David Zamarin. “Today marks a significant milestone in our company’s journey as we officially announce Charlotte as the new home for our headquarters and manufacturing operations."

BioSkryb Genomics, a Durham company focused on single-cell and ultra-low input multiomics, has introduced a new service called ResolveSEQ MRD, which allows more detailed classification and characterization of measurable residual disease (MRD) for blood cancers. 

For anyone looking to build a career in biopharma manufacturing, there’s no shortage of opportunities in North Carolina.

That’s the conclusion of hiring managers at four of the state’s leading life sciences companies who spoke at a recent career event at the North Carolina Biotechnology Center. With industry growth continuing, employers are looking for people to fill jobs – and that extends to recent graduates and others with no previous experience in biopharma.

groninger, a German manufacturer of filling and closing machines for the pharmaceutical, consumer healthcare and cosmetics industries, is expanding its U.S. headquarters in Charlotte. groninger USA announced through the City of Charlotte that it will invest $15.1 million and create 60 new jobs paying an average of $76,037. The expansion will increase the company’s Charlotte workforce to 172 full-time employees over the next five years, up from 112. The Charlotte location handles sales, service, and parts manufacturing for groninger USA customers in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.

Solvias, a global provider of chemistry, manufacturing, and control (CMC) analytics and headquartered in Switzerland, announced today the opening of its cutting-edge Center of Excellence for Biologics and Cell and Gene Therapy in the heart of Research Triangle Park (RTP), North Carolina. 

The new facility expands Solvias’ global network of centers and reinforces its commitment to advancing transformative therapies for cancer and rare diseases.  

Ramona, a Durham provider of advanced imaging technology for life sciences, has launched a live-cell imaging system that significantly improves speed and throughput for analyzing cells. The Vireo system uses miniaturized video microscopes and real-time image processing through artificial intelligence. Ramona said in a news release that Vireo can help give scientists better, faster insights into drug discovery.

North Carolina’s life sciences industry has crossed a milestone – exceeding 100,000 jobs for the first time – and continues to outpace national industry growth and most other top-tier life sciences states. This key statistic and more are in the latest TEConomy Partners report “2024 Evidence & Opportunity: Impact of Life Sciences in North Carolina.” The North Carolina Biotechnology Center commissions TEConomy for this detailed look at North Carolina life sciences.

The Greenville-Pitt County Chamber of Commerce recognized Mark Phillips, vice president of statewide operations and executive director of the Eastern Regional Office for the North Carolina Biotechnology Center, as its 2024 Citizen of the Year. Phillips was honored on Jan. 30 at the chamber’s annual membership celebration at Rock Springs Center.

North Carolina achieved a record-breaking year for life sciences investments in 2024.

Twenty-five companies announced expansions or new facilities totaling more than $10.8 billion. The projects are expected to create more than 4,500 jobs in 16 communities across the state.

A statewide program for military members transitioning to civilian life is getting a boost from a federal career training initiative. Military Outreach and Veterans Engagement (MOVE), launched in 2019 by the North Carolina Biotechnology Center, has joined the U.S. Department of Defense’s SkillBridge initiative. SkillBridge provides retiring and transitioning service members with access to industry training programs offered by employers nationwide.

Not often is a company able to cut a ribbon for a new facility and hold a groundbreaking ceremony for another, on the same day, from the same stage. Amgen, the $30+ billion biotech company, accomplished that unique double-play on Friday, at an event at its growing campus in Holly Springs.

Brii Biosciences, a Durham biotechnology company with global headquarters in China, plans to buy the intellectual property and other remaining assets of a defunct company’s drug candidate for treating Hepatitis B virus.

A national life sciences service company is providing North Carolina startups with new options for unlocking space for turnkey product development and manufacturing facilities in Morrisville.

Azzur Cleanrooms on Demand (COD) has entered this acronym-laden environment to provide cleanroom and laboratory spaces for so-called GxP manufacturing support. Opened in May 2023, it’s a 75,000-square-foot rebirth of a former Sam’s Club site at 1101 Shiloh Glenn Drive in the Raleigh suburb.

IMMvention Therapeutix, Inc., a Durham early-stage biotechnology company focused on discovering and developing human therapeutics, will collaborate with Novo Nordisk A/S to co-develop oral therapies for sickle cell disease (SCD) and other chronic conditions.