US biotech company Jellatech, a leading innovator in cell-based collagen, announces it has completed construction of its 9,000 square-foot facility in Morrisville, North Carolina.
The facility is designed for ongoing research and development and will allow the company to produce its bioidentical collagen for pre-clinical trials at scale, which are crucial for adopting collagen-based applications across various sectors. Just last month, Jellatech launched an updated brand to showcase its mission to advance biomedical applications with human-identical proteins, starting with Type 1 collagen, for applications in the healthcare and longevity sectors.
“Our new facility represents a leap forward in our ability to deliver high-quality, consistent, and ethically produced proteins for human health and longevity applications,” said Stephanie Michelsen, founder and CEO of Jellatech.
Revolutionizing biotechnology
The new plant is equipped with advanced bioreactors and specialized labs and is planned for Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) certification by 2026. In addition to scaling, it will support the development of high-value proteins, cell line development and optimization while meeting regulatory requirements for the biomedical and pharmaceutical industries.
Jellatech said it aims to become a hub for collaborative R&D with industry leaders to create the “next generation” of biostimulatory and regenerative healthcare solutions. The company stated that the facility represents a significant milestone in its mission to revolutionize biotechnology, particularly in sustainable protein production. You can watch a video of Jellatech’s facility here.
“This move not only significantly increases our production capacity but also reinforces our commitment to setting new standards in sustainability, innovation, and cutting-edge biotechnology,” Michelsen shared.
Ethically produced proteins
Founded in 2020 by Michelsen in Raleigh, North Carolina, Jellatech uses cellular agriculture to produce bio-identical bovine, porcine, and human cell-based collagen. In 2021, the startup raised $2 million to develop its proteins, and in 2022, it received a strategic investment from the VC firm CULT Food Sciences.
Last year, Jellatech secured $3.5 million in an oversubscribed seed round led by the Nordic-based VC firm byFounders. The company is a partner of the newly launched Bezos Center for Sustainable Protein at North Carolina State University.
“This cutting-edge facility, planned for GLP certification by 2026, will be the heart of Jellatech’s R&D and scaling operations as we work to bring groundbreaking, ethically produced proteins to market,” Michelsen shared on social media.
