Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine

What Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine does

The Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine (WFIRM) is a research institute operating within Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist in Winston-Salem, NC, focused on translating regenerative-medicine science into clinical therapies. Its work centers on 3D bioprinting, stem cell research, and biomaterials science, organized around proprietary platforms including the Integrated Tissue and Organ Printing System (iTOPS) bioprinting infrastructure, the CXU flowable-gelling extracellular matrix biomaterial platform developed with Conexeu Sciences, and the PATMOS platform for studying viral infections using 3D organoid models combined with AI-driven biochemical analysis. Programs target high-impact clinical applications such as bioprinted, vascularized kidney tissue for end-stage renal disease (ARPA-H PRINT Program), a 3D-printed bioregenerative breast matrix (B.R.E.A.S.T.), pandemic-prediction modeling (NSF COMPASS Center with five universities), and biodefense viral-threat analysis (DTRA-funded PATMOS).

Operationally, WFIRM does not sell products or services commercially. Its revenue base is built on competitive federal grants (ARPA-H up to $24.8M over five years for PRINT; $36M from DTRA for PATMOS; $18M from NSF for COMPASS), industry research partnerships with biotech startups such as PrintBio and Conexeu Sciences, and technology licensing of developed IP. The institute distributes outputs through academic publications, scientific conferences, technology licensing to commercial partners, clinical-trial collaborations, and educational partnerships (e.g., NCABR). Reporting lines run through Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist as the parent academic medical center, with Anthony Atala serving as founder and director.

Strategically, WFIRM is leveraging its leader-driven research brand and federal-grant capture to broaden the regenerative-medicine product surface (kidney tissue, breast matrix, wound care) and to build a multi-institution ecosystem around pandemic prediction and biodefense, anchored by recent partnership announcements with PrintBio, Conexeu Sciences, and the COMPASS Center consortium.

Name

Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine

Legal name

Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine

Website

https://wakehealth.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine (WFIRM) is a research institute within Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist developing 3D bioprinting, stem cell, and biomaterial technologies for tissue and organ engineering, funded primarily by federal grants and industry research partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Regenerative Medicine Research

NAICS

Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836)

akta.pro primary industry

3D Bioprinting & Biofabrication (HLAAAGAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Stem Cell–Based Regenerative Therapies (HLAAAGAA), Organoids & Organ-on-Chip (regenerative models) (HLAAAGAD), Bioprinting & Biofabrication Systems (Tissue/Cell Printing Hardware) (IMAAAAAG), Wound Healing & Skin Regeneration (advanced dressings, skin substitutes) (HLAAAGAG)

Keywords

• Regenerative medicine
• Tissue engineering
• 3D bioprinting
• Stem cell research
• Biomaterials science

Headquarters

HQ city

Winston Salem

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations

Revenue model

1. Federal Government Grants: Primary revenue stream from competitive federal grants including ARPA-H PRINT Program ($24.8M over 5 years), DTRA awards ($36M for PATMOS platform), and NSF grants ($18M for COMPASS Center). These grants fund specific research programs and development initiatives.
2. Industry Research Partnerships: Collaborative research agreements with biotech companies like PrintBio and Conexeu Sciences where partners contribute funding and expertise in exchange for technology development and commercialization rights.
3. Technology Licensing: Licensing of developed technologies, platforms, and intellectual property to commercial partners for further development and market deployment.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

WFIRM conducts advanced research and development in regenerative medicine, with a primary focus on engineering tissues and organs through 3D bioprinting, stem cell research, and biomaterials science. The institute develops and operates proprietary platforms including iTOPS (Integrated Tissue and Organ Printing System) and PATMOS, and translates discoveries into clinical applications through federal grants and industry research partnerships.

Product overview

Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine (WFIRM) is a research institute focused on regenerative medicine technologies. The organization's primary offerings include the ARPA-H PRINT Program for bioprinted kidney tissue development, the PATMOS platform for viral infection research using 3D organoid models and AI, and the iTOPS bioprinting platform. WFIRM also collaborates on the B.R.E.A.S.T. bioregenerative breast matrix program and contributes to the NSF-funded COMPASS Center for pandemic prediction. The institute operates as a research organization developing regenerative medicine technologies rather than commercializing standard products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• PATMOS Platform: A platform for studying viral infections using 3D organoid models and artificial intelligence
• iTOPS Platform

Products and services

• ARPA-H PRINT Program - Bioprinted Kidney Tissue A research program developing bioprinted, vascularized kidney tissue from patients' own cells to address the nation's organ donor shortage. The program integrates cell manufacturing, bioprinters, bioinks, and bioreactors into an end-to-end workflow producing clinical-grade kidney tissue.
• PATMOS Platform A research platform for studying viral infections using 3D organoid models combined with artificial intelligence to analyze biochemical changes during infections and predict and counter viral threats.
• iTOPS Bioprinting Platform An advanced bioprinting infrastructure used for regenerative medicine research, including development of tissue constructs and organ printing capabilities such as kidney tissue and breast matrices. Integrates cell manufacturing, bioprinters, bioinks, and bioreactors into end-to-end workflows.
• B.R.E.A.S.T. Bioregenerative Breast Matrix A 3D-printed bioregenerative breast matrix program developed with Conexeu Sciences, targeting an alternative to permanent breast implants and traditional reconstruction approaches.
• CXU Flowable-Gelling Biomaterial Platform A preclinical regenerative medicine platform developed in partnership with Conexeu Sciences for advanced wound care applications, with a planned FDA 510(k) submission targeting advanced wound care.
• COMPASS Center - Pandemic Prediction and Prevention A collaborative research initiative for improving global pandemic prediction and prevention through predictive models of infectious disease emergence and spread.

Quantifiable outcome

• Addresses nation's organ donor shortage through on-demand bioprinted kidney tissue
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability1 record

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor, flagship and core.

• North Carolina Association for Biomedical Research (NCABR)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 May 2026Collaborative release of updated teaching resource featuring expanded regenerative medicine chapter for high school students in North Carolina. Curriculum integrated into existing biomedical courses to inspire students and build future biomedical workforce in the state.
• Conexeu Sciences Inc.flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 May 2026Preclinical development partnership for B.R.E.A.S.T. (Bio-Regenerative Ergonomically Architected Smart Tissue) 3D-printed bioregenerative breast matrix. Leverages WFIRM's iTOPS bioprinting platform and ReMDO ecosystem. Program evaluates durability, host tissue integration, and resorbability of proprietary CXU extracellular matrix platform for alternative to permanent breast implants.
• PrintBio, Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 January 2026Multi-institution collaboration on ARPA-H PRINT Program to develop bioprinted kidney tissue for treating end-stage renal disease. PrintBio contributes 3D bioprinting expertise (DynaFlex and DynaForm platforms) and translational manufacturing capabilities. WFIRM leads the project with up to $24.8 million funding over five years. Project aims to create personalized, vascularized kidneys using patient's own cells.
• University of MarylandcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 January 2026Academic research partner in ARPA-H PRINT Program for bioprinted kidney tissue development. Collaborates with WFIRM and other institutions to advance on-demand organ manufacturing.
• Rice UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 January 2026Academic research partner in ARPA-H PRINT Program for bioprinted kidney tissue development. Contributes expertise to multidisciplinary team led by WFIRM.
• University of Texas – El PasocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 January 2026Academic research partner in ARPA-H PRINT Program for bioprinted kidney tissue development. Part of collaborative effort to address nation's organ donor shortage.
• COMPASS Center (Five Universities)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 August 2024NSF-funded initiative ($18 million) involving five universities and over 20 researchers to improve global pandemic prediction and prevention. WFIRM contributes expertise in developing predictive models for infectious disease emergence and spread, supporting pandemic mitigation strategies.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• United Therapeutics: Public biotech with a dedicated organ manufacturing program (e.g., ex-vivo lung, 3D-printed scaffolds). Overlaps with WFIRM in pursuing bioprinted and regenerative organ solutions, but operates as a commercial pharma at much larger scale.
• Regeneron: Large biotech with deep investment in biologics manufacturing and cell/gene therapies. Comparable as an adjacent incumbent operating in regenerative and biologic therapeutic categories that license-in or partner on academic translational assets.

Emerging players

• BICO (CELLINK): Provides bioprinters, bioinks, and lab automation for regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. Comparable as a complementary platform provider in the 3D bioprinting ecosystem serving academic and industry researchers.
• Modern Meadow: Biofabrication company leveraging engineered tissues and bio-based materials for biomedical applications. Comparable in translating biofabrication and tissue engineering toward commercial therapeutic and consumer applications.
• Volumetric: Biotech company developing bioprinted tissue and organ therapeutics using proprietary light-based 3D bioprinting. Comparable in advancing high-resolution bioprinting for organ-scale constructs.
• 3DBio Therapeutics: Regenerative medicine company that received the first FDA-authorized product leveraging 3D bioprinted living tissue (auricular implant). Directly comparable for pioneering bioprinted therapeutic translation and FDA pathway experience.

Direct peers

• Aspect Biosystems: Biotechnology company developing bioprinted tissue therapeutics using a proprietary microfluidic 3D bioprinting platform. Comparable in advancing 3D bioprinting from research toward clinical applications, with overlapping organ-target ambitions.
• Organovo: Pioneer in 3D bioprinting of human tissues for therapeutic and research applications. Directly comparable as a commercial bioprinting platform peer targeting tissue and organ development, though focused on commercial rather than academic translation.

Regional players

• Northwestern University — Simpson Querrey Institute: Academic regenerative medicine research center pursuing bioengineered tissues and organs. Comparable as a leading academic regenerative medicine institute competing for talent, grants, and translational milestones.
• Carnegie Mellon University — Bioengineered Organs Center: Academic research program focused on bioprinting and tissue engineering. Comparable as an academic peer advancing bioprinting science and competing for similar federal grant funding.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/WFIRMnews
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/wake-forest-baptist-health-edu

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds5 records

Investors3 records

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine