#United States #Roanoke #Virginia Tech #VIPC #Tiny Cargo

Tiny Cargo's New Manufacturing Facility

The Tiny Cargo Company, a life science startup founded by Dr. Robert Gourdie, has made a significant leap forward with the opening of a new manufacturing facility in Roanoke, Virginia. Supported by the Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation (VIPC), this state-of-the-art plant represents a $1.5 million investment and underscores the ongoing growth of the regional innovation ecosystem.

Innovative Facility Features

The facility boasts over 2,000 square feet of specialized clean room space, marking it as one of the first dedicated exosome advanced manufacturing sites globally. Designed to propel Tiny Cargo's mission, the plant is set to create six high-paying jobs in various areas including research and development, cleanroom manufacturing, and regulatory operations.

Dr. Gourdie's vision turned into reality as Tiny Cargo was initially incubated at Virginia Tech's Fralin Biomedical Research Institute (FBRI). The company commercialized its technology through a licensing agreement with the university, evolving into a startup in 2018. This collaboration highlights the strong ties between advanced research and entrepreneurial growth in the Roanoke-Blacksburg area.

Support from VIPC

The VIPC has played a vital role in the progress of Tiny Cargo, providing early-stage funding, attracting private investment, and facilitating resource development through recruiting top-tier research faculty. Joe Benevento, President and CEO of VIPC, commented on the grand opening, stating that the facility symbolizes what can be achieved when innovation, talent, and capital align in local communities.

Alan Gourdie, Tiny Cargo's CEO, reflected on the dedication to transforming research into commercially viable products, emphasizing the potential for their technology in various fields, from pharmaceuticals to skincare.

The Technology Behind Tiny Cargo

Tiny Cargo's focus lies in developing a patent-pending drug delivery platform that utilizes milk-derived exosomes as nanocarriers. This innovative approach allows for the encapsulation of a wide range of novel therapies and Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs). The product, branded as XOlacta, aims to mitigate side effects related to radiation therapy in cancer patients, thereby enhancing client acceptance and retention during their treatment journey.

Moreover, its potential applications extend to serving as a medical countermeasure in the event of radiological incidents, ensuring that the benefits of this advancement reach beyond typical therapeutic use.

Looking Ahead

As Tiny Cargo continues to expand, it reflects a significant case of research-driven commercialization, harnessing the close working relationship with Virginia Tech and FBRI to bring groundbreaking innovations to market. Dr. Michael Friedlander, Executive Director at FBRI, remarked on the institute's mission to empower researchers and foster an environment where innovative ideas could thrive and prosper outside traditional laboratory settings.

At its core, Tiny Cargo exemplifies the vibrant entrepreneurial spirit within Virginia's innovation landscape, paving the way for future advancements in drug delivery and potentially transforming treatment protocols in the healthcare sector.

For more information on The Tiny Cargo Company and their pioneering work in pharmaceuticals and healthcare, visit their official website at tinCargo.com. By seamlessly bridging advanced research with tangible product outcomes, Tiny Cargo stands as a beacon of innovation within the life sciences community.