The future of regenerative medicine may be taking shape in Florida.
On the June 10 episode of What’s the Buzz?, BioBuzz Founder and CEO Chris Frew sat down with Dr. Jesse McCool, President and Chief Operating Officer of GBI Bio, to discuss the evolution of biomanufacturing, emerging opportunities in regenerative medicine, and Florida’s growing role in the life sciences ecosystem.
With more than two decades of experience in the CDMO industry, McCool joined GBI Bio in late 2025 and has quickly focused on positioning the company at the intersection of innovation, manufacturing agility, and ecosystem development. GBI Bio, a Florida-based contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), has spent more than 30 years supporting biologics development and manufacturing while serving hundreds of biotechnology clients.
A Shift Toward Smaller, Faster Manufacturing
One of the most significant trends shaping the industry today is the move away from large-scale manufacturing toward smaller, more agile production models.
According to McCool, many emerging biotech companies are under increasing pressure to generate clinical data quickly and cost-effectively. Traditional manufacturing approaches often require substantial investments before a company can reach early proof-of-concept milestones.
To address this challenge, GBI Bio is preparing to launch a new service platform called Smart Scale GMP Solutions, designed specifically for early-stage biologics companies. The platform will enable clients to produce small batches of GMP-quality material faster and at a lower cost, helping them reach critical clinical milestones without the burden of traditional manufacturing expenses.
“We need to be more creative, more responsive, and more aligned with what early-stage biotech companies actually need,” McCool explained during the discussion.
Florida’s Emerging Regenerative Medicine Opportunity
A major focus of the conversation centered on Florida’s growing regenerative medicine landscape.
Recent legislation in Florida has created new opportunities for physicians to provide access to regenerative medicine therapies for conditions such as chronic pain, wound care, and orthopedic treatments. The goal is to provide patients with access to therapies that often require travel outside the United States while creating a safer, more regulated framework within the state.
McCool believes Florida is uniquely positioned to become a leader in this space, but only if the necessary infrastructure exists to support growth.
That infrastructure includes more than manufacturing facilities. It requires experienced personnel, quality systems, validated processes, supplier networks, regulatory expertise, and a trained workforce capable of supporting advanced biologics production.
GBI Bio is already playing an important role by providing GMP-compliant manufacturing capabilities for stem cell and regenerative medicine products, helping ensure that physicians and patients have access to therapies produced under rigorous quality standards.
Building Capability, Not Just Infrastructure
Throughout the discussion, McCool emphasized that ecosystem growth depends on more than buildings and equipment.
“Capability” is the combination of infrastructure, talent, processes, quality systems, and industry partnerships that allow an ecosystem to thrive. While Florida continues to attract investment and new companies, workforce development remains one of the state’s biggest opportunities.
Drawing on examples from states such as North Carolina, Texas, Oklahoma, and Massachusetts, McCool highlighted the importance of dedicated biomanufacturing workforce training centers. These programs help prepare technicians and professionals for careers in advanced manufacturing while creating a sustainable talent pipeline for industry growth.
As regenerative medicine and biologics manufacturing expand, workforce readiness will become increasingly important for Florida’s long-term competitiveness.
A State Positioned for Growth
Florida’s life sciences ecosystem may still be developing compared to established hubs like Boston or San Francisco, but the ingredients for growth are becoming increasingly evident.
Strong research institutions such as the University of Florida and the University of Miami continue to generate innovation. Significant capital is flowing into the state. New regenerative medicine companies are emerging. And organizations like GBI Bio are providing the manufacturing expertise necessary to transform scientific breakthroughs into real-world therapies.
As Chris Frew noted during the conversation, ecosystem success often occurs when government, industry, researchers, investors, and infrastructure partners work together toward a common goal. Florida’s regenerative medicine momentum may be one of the clearest examples of that collaboration in action.
For GBI Bio and Dr. Jesse McCool, the mission is clear: help build the capability that allows innovation to move faster, patients to gain access to promising therapies, and Florida to continue strengthening its position within the nation’s growing bioeconomy.
Watch the full interview:
