The biotech industry in Gainesville is strong, and it’s easy to see why companies are popping up in droves across north-central Florida. 

According to data from SelectFlorida, a partnership of businesses, government leaders and economic development partners, the Sunshine State is home to the nation’s second-largest medical device manufacturing industry and is ranked fourth in the number of biotech research and development facilities. 

More than 34,000 Floridians work in biotechnology, pharmaceutical manufacturing and medical device manufacturing industries. 

“I am proud of the significant progress our team has made towards the regulatory transition of Avance from a tissue to a biologic,” said Michael Dale, CEO and Director of Axogen, Inc. “We will continue to collaborate closely with the FDA as they review our application.”

Read more about Axogen Completes Submission of Biologics License Application to U.S. Food and Drug Administration for Avance Nerve Graft®.

Murphy served as CEO since June 2022, and the company said the decision was not the result of a disagreement. She has been on the board for Oragenics since 2020 and previously served as vice president of GSK, where she helped develop vaccines for influenza and shingles.

It’s estimated there are 69 million concussions reported annually, and 20% of concussed patients will suffer from post concussion syndrome, which is linked to long term disability.

RTI Surgical specializes in allograft tissue processing and sterilization, innovation, regulatory know-how, and reliable manufacturing methods. The company will be combining this with Cook’s cutting-edge devices that convert porcine tissue into xenograft biomaterial in order to create the best care for patients.

Olivier Visa, RTI Surgical president and chief executive officer, said: “We are uniquely positioned to become a leading CDMO in regenerative medicine as an innovator of differentiated allograft and xenograft biomaterials, and we look forward to welcoming the Cook Biotech team and leveraging their world-class talents and capabilities in xenograft development and processing to better address patient needs together.”

Founded in 2002 by John Engels and Jamie Grooms, Axogen was a pioneer in the startup space and helped launch the entrepreneurial hub that Gainesville is today. Through innovative nerve repair technology and investment in other health and biotech startups, Axogen’s partnership with the University of Florida has improved the lives of patients and fostered a spirit of innovation.

This strategic collaboration will further advance Gainesville’s Innovation District and bring it closer to achieving its identity as a bastion of progress.

The district currently serves as the home of UF Innovate | The Hub – with more than 80 businesses (ranging from startups to publicly-traded corporations), various restaurants, and residential and mixed-use buildings. The area has long been identified as one of Gainesville’s key opportunities for regional economic impact and development.

UF President Ben Sasse says the project demonstrates just how committed the city of Gainesville is to creating a vibrant space for economic growth.

“The nation’s No. 1 public university needs a top-flight community as a partner, and this project demonstrates just how committed Gainesville is to charting a bright future of innovation, job creation and economic impact,” Sasse said. “If we’re all pulling oars together, there’s no limit to what we can accomplish.” 

Neobiosis is a biotechnology company focused on the development and manufacturing of innovative perinatal products for research and clinical trials. Their goal is to help redefine the field of regenerative medicine through regenerative science and shape the future of this fledgling industry through meaningful partnerships and collaborations.

Oragenics, Inc., a UF startup and UF Innovate | Sid Martin Biotech graduate company dedicated to fighting infectious diseases including coronaviruses, announced it has entered into definitive agreements with two healthcare-focused investors, in which the Company issued in a private placement (the “Private Placement Offering”), an aggregate of (i) 404,728 shares of the Company’s common stock, $0.001 par value (the “Common Stock”), and (ii) 404,728 shares of Series E Mirroring Preferred Stock (the “Series E Preferred Stock”).

The Company intends to propose an amendment to its Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, in connection with the Company’s annual meeting of shareholders, to effect an increase in the shares of Common Stock the Company is authorized to issue from 4,166,666 shares of Common Stock to 350,000,000 shares of Common Stock. The Series E Preferred Stock has super voting rights on the proposed amendment equal to 2,500 votes per share of Series E Preferred Stock.