Spiderwort

What Spiderwort does

Spiderwort Biotechnologies Inc. is a clinical-stage Canadian biotechnology company founded in August 2015 in Ottawa, developing plant-derived cellulose-based biomaterial scaffolds for regenerative medicine. The company operates a platform-plus-modules architecture centered on two proprietary technology platforms, Aerocell (Aerocel) and Hydrocell, which isolate and manufacture plant-derived microstructures that match the extracellular matrix structure of target tissues with precise control over stiffness, shape, textures, and architecture. These platforms underpin two investigational medical devices: CelluBridge, a cellulose-based scaffold under development to support repair and regeneration of the spinal cord (targeting acute, complete thoracic spinal cord injury), which received U.S. FDA Breakthrough Device Designation in November 2020; and CelluJuve, a cellulose-based dermal filler formulated without a crosslinker for facial tissue augmentation and rejuvenation, which received Health Canada Investigational Testing Authorization in June 2025 enabling a first-in-human clinical trial in Canada.

The company is pre-revenue, with no products currently approved for sale by Health Canada or the FDA. Spiderwort manufactures its biomaterials at an ISO 5 certified cleanroom facility at La Cité College in Ottawa (certified August 2022) and conducts ongoing research collaborations with the University of Ottawa's Pelling Lab. The company has raised more than $20 million CAD cumulatively across three disclosed funding rounds (2018 Friends and Family, 2020 Series Seed, 2022 Series A), with Horizons Ventures as the recurring lead investor. A wholly owned subsidiary, Whiteboard Foods Inc., commercializes the Aerocell and Hydrocell technology for plant-based and cultured meats as a non-medical vertical. The company's go-to-market is pre-commercial, with heavy reliance on industry conferences, accelerator programs (MaRS, CELS, adMare, Invest Ottawa, Creative Destruction Lab), and Clinical Advisory Boards to build visibility with investors, clinicians, and potential partners ahead of regulatory approval.

Name

Spiderwort

Legal name

Spiderwort Biotechnologies Inc.

Website

https://spiderwortbio.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Spiderwort is a clinical-stage Canadian biotechnology company developing plant-derived cellulose-based biomaterial scaffolds for spinal cord injury repair (CelluBridge) and dermal filler applications (CelluJuve). Founded in 2015 in Ottawa, it is pre-revenue with two FDA- and Health Canada-designated investigational medical devices.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Regenerative Medicine Biomaterials / Medical Devices

NAICS

Biological Product (except Diagnostic) Manufacturing (325414)

SIC

Orthopedic, Prosthetic & Surgical Appliances & Supplies (3842)

akta.pro primary industry

Tissue-Engineered Constructs & Scaffolds (natural/synthetic biomaterials) (HLAAAGAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Tissue Engineering & Biomaterial Scaffolds (HLAMANAC), Skin Substitutes & Biologic/Regenerative Wound Therapies (Matrices, Grafts) (HLAHALAE)

Keywords

• Regenerative medicine biomaterials
• Cellulose tissue scaffolds
• Spinal cord injury implants
• Dermal filler devices
• Plant-based biomaterials

Headquarters

HQ city

Ottawa

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Future medical device sales (CelluBridge®): Pre-revenue. CelluBridge® is a device under development, not approved by Health Canada or FDA and not available for sale. Future revenue expected from sales of cellulose-based spinal cord scaffold implants once regulatory approvals are obtained.
2. Future medical device sales (CelluJuve®): Pre-revenue. CelluJuve® received Health Canada Investigational Testing Authorization (ITA) in June 2025 enabling a human clinical trial in Canada. Not approved by Health Canada or FDA for commercial use and not available for sale. Future revenue expected from sales of next-generation cellulose-based dermal filler.
3. Potential licensing of Aerocell/Hydrocell technology via Whiteboard Foods: Sister company Whiteboard Foods commercializes Spiderwort's Aerocell and Hydrocell technology for plant-based meats, cultured meats and alternative proteins, providing a potential licensing/royalty pathway for non-medical applications. Whiteboard Foods withdrew from XPRIZE Feed The Next Billion competition in January 2023.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Spiderwort Biotechnologies Inc. develops and manufactures proprietary plant-derived cellulose-based biomaterial scaffolds for regenerative medicine applications. Its clinical-stage portfolio centers on two investigational medical devices: CelluBridge®, a cellulose scaffold implant for spinal cord injury repair (FDA Breakthrough Device Designation), and CelluJuve®, a crosslinker-free cellulose dermal filler for facial tissue augmentation (Health Canada ITA received June 2025). The products are built on the company's Aerocell™ and Hydrocell™ biomaterial platforms and manufactured in an ISO 5 certified cleanroom.

Product overview

Spiderwort Biotechnologies Inc. operates a platform-plus-modules architecture centered on two proprietary cellulose-based biomaterial technology platforms — Aerocell™ and Hydrocell™ — developed in-house and spun out of the University of Ottawa's Pelling Lab. These platforms underpin the company's two clinical-stage investigational medical devices: CelluBridge®, a cellulose-based scaffold under development to support spinal cord injury repair (FDA Breakthrough Device Designation), and CelluJuve®, a plant-based cellulose dermal filler under development for soft tissue augmentation and rejuvenation (received Health Canada Investigational Testing Authorization in 2025). Together, the offering represents a single integrated regenerative-medicine portfolio that translates plant-derived cellulose scaffolds into clinical applications for spinal cord injury and medical aesthetics.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CelluBridge®: Proprietary cellulose-based scaffold medical device under development to support repair and regeneration of the spinal cord; FDA Breakthrough Device designation holder.
• CelluJuve®
• Aerocell™
• Hydrocell™

Products and services

• CelluBridge® CelluBridge® is a proprietary plant-based cellulose scaffold medical device under development to provide structural support and guidance for the repair and regeneration of the spinal cord. It features microchannels that guide regenerating neurons through damaged regions after traumatic injury. The initial research target is acute, complete thoracic spinal cord injury repair; pre-clinical studies have demonstrated locomotor recovery in small-animal models. It holds FDA Breakthrough Device Designation and is intended for neurosurgical use in hospitals and academic medical centers.
• CelluJuve® CelluJuve® is a plant-based cellulose dermal filler solution under development to provide structural support for soft tissue augmentation and rejuvenation. It is formulated without a crosslinker and is designed to provide a natural look and feel by serving as a framework for collagen deposition. The initial research target is nasolabial fold remediation; pre-clinical studies demonstrated healthy and functional tissue growth within scaffolds in small-animal models. It received Health Canada ITA in June 2025 and is intended for plastic surgeons, dermatologists, and medical aesthetics practitioners.

Quantifiable outcome

• Pre-clinical studies have demonstrated locomotor recovery in small-animal models for CelluBridge®
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core / foundational partner, strategic advisor panel, leadership development partner, strategic accelerator partner, industry partner, sister company and core partner.

• University of Ottawacore / foundational partnerStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 December 2025Spiderwort was spun out as a startup from the Pelling Lab at the University of Ottawa. Ongoing research collaboration resulted in December 2025 peer-reviewed publication in Scientific Reports (Nature Portfolio) titled 'Poly-L-Ornithine coated plant scaffolds support motor recovery in rats after traumatic spinal cord injury.' University of Ottawa co-authors included Prof. Tuan Bui, Chair of the Department of Biology. The Pelling Lab for Augmented Biology continues to trailblaze in developing speculative living technologies.
• CelluBridge Clinical Advisory Boardstrategic advisor panelOthers · 9 October 2024Distinguished experts from neurosurgery and neurology providing strategic guidance and clinical insights for CelluBridge® program. Members: Dr. James Harrop (Thomas Jefferson University), Dr. Eve Tsai (Ottawa Hospital), Dr. Keith Tansey (University of Mississippi Medical Center), Dr. Rajiv Saigal (UCSF), Martin Codyre (engineer and neuroscientist). Announced October 9, 2024.
• CelluJuve® Clinical Advisory Boardstrategic advisor panelOthers · 5 December 2023Renowned experts from plastic surgery and dermatology providing clinical insights for CelluJuve® dermal filler. Members: Dr. Jason Bloom (Bloom Facial Plastic Surgery), Dr. Joely Kaufman (Skin Associates of South Florida, University of Miami), Dr. Gregory A. Buford (BEAUTY by BUFORD), Dr. Ava Shamban (Santa Monica/Beverly Hills). Announced December 5, 2023.
• adMare Academy Executive Instituteleadership development partnerStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 November 2023Dr. Stephen Hanson, Spiderwort's Business Development Director, was selected to participate in the prestigious adMare Academy Executive Institute (announced November 28, 2023), a Canadian life sciences leadership development program admitting only 20 participants annually.
• Canadian Entrepreneurs in Life Science (CELS) - Valley Ready Programstrategic accelerator partnerStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 November 2023Spiderwort was one of only eight companies accepted into the CELS Valley Ready Program in 2023. Program connects Canadian life science entrepreneurs with experts, partners, and investors in the Silicon Valley area, with resources on fundraising, regulatory frameworks, IP strategies, and customized mentoring.
• MaRS Discovery District (MaRS Health Science Portfolio)strategic accelerator partnerStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 June 2023Spiderwort accepted into the prestigious MaRS Health Science portfolio in Toronto, Canada on June 6, 2023. Membership provides access to resources and services to accelerate initiatives and scale the business. MaRS is one of the largest innovation hubs in North America.
• Invest Ottawa (ScaleUp Program)strategic accelerator partnerStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 June 2023Graduated from Invest Ottawa's Accelerator Program to the ScaleUp venture development program, marking the company's transition from a promising startup to a defined company ready for global impact. Spiderwort has participated in Invest Ottawa's programs including the IO Accelerator.
• Praxis Spinal Cord Instituteindustry partnerStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 July 2022Industry partner supporting Spiderwort's spinal cord injury technology. Praxis PLEX Program Manager John Chernesky expressed support for Spiderwort's Scientific Reports validation and hope for positive impact for people living with spinal cord injury.
• Whiteboard Foods Inc.sister companyStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Sister company commercializing Spiderwort's Aerocell and Hydrocell technology for plant-based meats, cultured meats, and alternative proteins. Whiteboard Foods was a subsidiary of Spiderwort Inc., and was one of the top 26 semi-finalists in XPRIZE's Feed The Next Billion competition before withdrawing in January 2023.
• Collège La Citécore partnerStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2021Collaboration began in December 2021 to build Spiderwort's state-of-the-art ISO 5 cleanroom facility within InnovaCité's BIOlab. Nathalie Methot, Dean Academics and Research at La Cité, commented on the partnership's role in fostering meaningful industry partnerships and unique student learning experiences. Also provides Office of Applied Research and Innovation (TAC-B) support.
• Creative Destruction Lab (CDL) - Health stream (Vancouver)strategic accelerator partnerStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 May 2020Spiderwort has been part of the CDL Health stream in Vancouver, supporting management team development and strategic growth. Stephen Hanson played an integral role in Spiderwort's progression through the CDL program.
• BioTalent Canadaindustry partnerStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 May 2020Partner supporting Spiderwort's biotechnology workforce and talent development activities.
• Ontario Bioscience Innovation Organization (OBIO)industry partnerStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 May 2020Spiderwort has been part of the OBIO Capital Access Advisory Program in Toronto. OBIO also runs the OBIO Investment Summit where Spiderwort showcased in 2025.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Strengths4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/spiderwortbio
• Facebookfacebook.com/spiderwort
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/spiderwort

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds5 records

Investors9 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Spiderwort