Funding Supports R&D Capabilities for Advanced Therapy Manufacturing
Charter Medical, a leading developer and manufacturer of single-use solutions, has been awarded a grant from the BioNest Fund to expand its research and development operations in Winston-Salem’s Innovation Quarter (iQ).
The grant enables Charter Medical to perform a phased buildout of the laboratory space the company launched at One Technology Place at the iQ in 2024. The buildout includes new laboratory infrastructure with expanded testing and validation capabilities that will vertically integrate these services, while also helping advanced therapy developers build the optimal process to streamline their go-to-market timelines for critical therapies.
Ultimately, these enhancements will strengthen the region’s R&D capabilities in biologics evaluation, systems integration, and new regulated and unregulated product development.
“By deepening technical and development activities locally, we aim to grow high-skilled engineering roles focused on biomanufacturing solutions in Winston-Salem while reinforcing the region’s position as a competitive hub for advanced biomanufacturing infrastructure,” says Lisa Krallis, Vice President of Biopharma Solutions for Charter Medical. “The partnerships we have access to here have enabled our growth and allowed us to shorten the timeframe from product development to patient care.”
The grant is expected to foster the addition of highly skilled roles over the next three years, strengthening the region’s workforce pipeline.
“We are excited to support Charter Medical’s expanding capabilities as a current tenant of Sparq Labs in Innovation Quarter,” says Isaac Perry, Head of Biotech and Life Science Ecosystem Development for the iQ and Greater Winston-Salem Inc. “Anchoring high-value R&D and validation work in Winston-Salem adds jobs and builds long-term capability that attracts more companies, talent, and innovation to the market.”
“At Solesis, the parent company of Charter, our mission is to deliver the future of restorative healing,” said John Witkowski, President and CEO of Solesis. “This grant further strengthens Charter’s ability to develop innovative solutions for our customers, ultimately improving outcomes for the patients they serve.”
The BioNest Fund supports life sciences companies expanding or locating in Winston-Salem and is made possible through the Whitaker Park Development Authority.