Partnerships and Collaborations

The multidisciplinary and translational nature of the research at Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine (WFIRM) is reflected in our numerous ongoing collaborations with other Medical Center departments, other academic institutions and with private foundations, biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies. These activities illustrate a guiding philosophy of the institute–to form alliances and partnerships to help bring innovative new therapies to patients.

Regenerative Medicine Meets Precision Medicine

A joint symposium to bring together Wake Forest expertise from the fields of regenerative medicine and precision medicine will be held Friday, Oct 4. 

External Academic Collaboration

One of the institute’s most important missions is to share its novel technologies with scientific and industrial communities to accelerate clinical translation to patients in need. Toward this goal, the institute continuously pursues extramural collaborative research efforts along with education and training in regenerative medicine.

David Williams, PhD, our director of international affairs, works to establish collaborations with universities, medical centers and researchers from around the world. The Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine is pleased to have the following collaborative domestic and international partners.

Industry Pathways Program

Through its Industry Pathways Program, Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine (WFIRM) provides partnering opportunities to biotech and pharmaceutical companies to develop, support and commercialize novel regenerative medicine technologies.

The institute is internationally recognized for its cutting-edge translational programs in:  

  • Biomaterials
  • Enabling technologies
  • Organoregenesis
  • Stem cell therapies
  • Tissue engineering

Benefits of the Industry Pathways Program include:   

  • Membership on a rotating Advisory Council
  • Participation in WFIRM-sponsored workshops, conferences and seminars 
  • Access to students and post-doctorates for internships and recruiting
  • Early knowledge of WFIRM research

Additional partnership options include: 

  • Pre-clinical studies
  • Clinical studies
  • GMP Manufacturing
  • Technology licensing
  • Sponsored research agreement
  • Equipment support-donations
  • Faculty sponsorship
  • Fellowships for students and post-doctorates

Private, Corporate and Industrial Partnerships

The driving mandate of the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine (WFIRM) is to bring new technologies to the clinic safely and rapidly. As a leader in translational research, the institute actively seeks out partnerships with companies in the biotechnology industry.

Previous successful alliances with industry have resulted in more than 11 technologies reaching the clinical testing stage, with many others currently in pre-clinical testing. All of the institute’s research programs are structured to address real world medical problems.

Education and Community Outreach Initiatives

The Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine (WFIRM) works closely with our surrounding Winston-Salem and Piedmont Triad communities to foster economic development and education in the region. These efforts include involvement in the development of Wake Forest Innovation Quarter and educational outreach in the community about regenerative medicine and the wonders of science.

International Researcher Program

Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine has hosted scientists and physicians from scores of countries who spend a year or more pursuing research at the Institute and then return to their home countries.