Addressing a critical U.S. need: The Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine (WFIRM) is the world's largest regenerative medicine research facility and is recognized as an international leader in translating scientific discovery into clinical therapies. WFIRM has achieved many world firsts, including developing and implementing the first engineered organ in a patient. By partnering with regional academic institutions including North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Winston-Salem State University and Forsyth Tech Community College, the NSF Engine will accelerate the transition of use-inspired regenerative medicine technologies into commercial products, creating an economic driver for the region and engage all in the surrounding communities. Several regenerative medicine startups and established companies already operate in the region. 

The advancement of regenerative medicine is built on groundbreaking technologies that are transforming how we approach tissue repair, disease treatment and organ replacement. Core innovations that can address manufacturing and supply chain challenges are critical for supporting the production of tissues and organs. There are several challenges that can prevent the successful commercial launch of these innovative technologies, including the availability of enabling technologies for manufacturing, stringent regulatory requirements, lack of a skilled workforce, specialized infrastructure and lack of investment Only an estimated 5% of potential technological innovations overcome these challenges, creating a gap between research and development (R&D) and new regenerative medicine solutions to disease and disabilities. The mission of the NSF Engine is to fill this gap by offering solutions to some of the most pressing challenges and by helping to build an attractive, self-sustaining business ecosystem that nurtures the translation of core technological innovations from the R&D stage to commercially viable techniques. 

Growth in the regenerative medicine industry helps to address long-term regional challenges related to retraining and upskilling of an underemployed local workforce left behind by the loss of tobacco, textiles and furniture jobs throughout the region.

Year 1 impacts:

• Accelerating innovation: Building on the momentum of the NSF Engine and other state and federal investments supporting the growing ecosystem, ProKidney, a more than $500 million regenerative medicine company, has committed to growing its presence within the ecosystem with a $22.5 million expansion and hiring of up to 50 skilled workers near its current headquarters in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
• Attracting local investment: Private, philanthropic, and government stakeholders in the region have contributed over $266 million in new financial and in-kind resources since the NSF Engine was announced in January 2024. 
• Building partnerships: One year in, the NSF Engine’s broad coalition of partners and ecosystem members has grown to 150 industry, academic, research and community organizations that represent the nation's key players in biotechnology and regenerative medicine. 
• Expanding and training the future workforce: In fall 2024, in an important step toward building the future biotechnology workforce, 29 employer partners of the NSF Engine, including BioSpherix, Ronawk, FetTech, Redwire Space Technologies and the BMI Organ Bank, committed to expanding their footprint in the region and advancing workforce development efforts, including regenerative medicine internship opportunities for local high school and college students.
• Growing the local economy: In fall 2025, the NSF Engine will significantly scale up manufacturing of regenerative medicine devices used for trauma and wound care. In addition to accelerating the availability of these lifesaving products for health care providers and patients across the country, the deal is expected to stimulate local economic growth by creating new job opportunities at both partner organizations.

Additional information

Lead organization: Wake Forest University School of Medicine.

Region of service: Greensboro, Winston-Salem, and High Point, North Carolina (Piedmont Triad). 

NSF award: NSF-2315654

Key technology areas
Biotechnology, advanced materials, artificial intelligence, robotics and advanced manufacturing.