Tim Kelly, CEO of RoosterBio, joined Chris Frew, CEO of BioBuzz Networks, at I-270 Labs in Frederick, MD to discuss the latest advancements in cell therapy and the exciting future of biotechnology.
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At BioBuzz’s most recent Industry Insights event, Tim Kelly, CEO of RoosterBio, sat down with Chris Frew, Founder and CEO of BioBuzz Networks, to discuss the journey of RoosterBio, its innovative contributions to the biotech industry, and the exciting future that lies ahead.
If you’re not familiar, RoosterBio accelerates human mesenchymal stem/stromal cell (hMSC) and exosome/extracellular vesicle (EV) product and process development to fuel the rapid implementation of scalable advanced therapies.
Founded in 2013 in Frederick, MD by Jon Rowley, their high-quality hMSCs, bioprocess media, genetic engineering tools, and exosome production solutions are paired with expert bioprocessing knowledge to progress therapeutic developers from concept to first-in-human testing and commercial manufacturing at reduced cost and increased productivity. With optimized, scalable processes, Type II Drug Master Files, and cGMP products, they’ve enabled therapeutic programs to traverse their path to clinical translation in under one year.
A Journey Through Biotech
Tim Kelly’s career spans significant roles in the biotech sector. A biochemist by training, Kelly holds a PhD in molecular genetics and biochemistry. He never intended to pursue academia, focusing instead on industry roles. He started at a contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), which shaped much of his career. Kelly recounted his time at Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies and KBI Biopharma, where he climbed the ranks to CEO, expanding the company significantly during his tenure.
Kelly shared his transition to RoosterBio in 2021, a move inspired by the company’s innovative approach and the opportunity to delve into stem cell and exosome therapy.
“The technology at RoosterBio and the chance to work on stem cells and exosomes, which I hadn’t done before, was incredibly exciting,” Kelly remarked.
The RoosterBio Vision
RoosterBio, known for its process-first products, focuses on scalable bioprocess manufacturing. Kelly emphasized the importance of providing off-the-shelf, GMP-grade mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) banks and scalable bioprocess solutions. This approach addresses the significant challenge of scalable manufacturing in cell therapy.
“Our media systems are designed to work in bioreactors without media exchanges, reducing costs and increasing scalability,” Kelly explained.
One of the most exciting advancements at RoosterBio is in exosome production. Kelly highlighted the development of a unique processing methodology that significantly improves exosome yield, a critical aspect for therapeutic and drug delivery applications.
“We’ve seen a tenfold increase in yields with our new process, making it a game-changer for exosome manufacturing,” Kelly noted.
Looking forward, RoosterBio aims to expand into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), which hold the potential to differentiate into any cell type. This expansion aligns with RoosterBio’s mission to provide scalable, cost-effective manufacturing solutions for various cell types.
Kelly elaborated, “We’re working on developing off-the-shelf solutions for iPSCs, similar to what we’ve done with MSCs, which will be a major focus in 2025.”
“We’ve seen a tenfold increase in yields with our new process, making it a game-changer for exosome manufacturing.”
(SOURCE: BioBuzz)
Tim Kelly’s conversation with Chris Frew provided a comprehensive look into the innovative world of RoosterBio. From scalable bioprocessing to groundbreaking advancements in exosome production, RoosterBio is at the forefront of transforming cell therapy. With exciting plans to expand into iPSCs and continue driving innovation, RoosterBio is poised to make significant contributions to the biotech industry.
“The opportunity around exosomes, both as therapeutics and as drug delivery systems, is something we believe will be impactful over the next ten years,” Kelly states.
