Ronawk — based in Olathe, Kan. — recently closed a series of seed round fundraising after securing $1.5 from investors.
The biotech company — that last fall reached the final four round of the Kansas Manufacturing Council’s 2022 Coolest Thing Made In Kansas Coolest Innovation competition — will use its new funding to expand operations and grow its groundbreaking Bio-Block Universe technology.
“Our goal is to help simplify research efforts by streamlining cell culture processes, which enables researchers to easily produce raw materials, such as biologics,” said Ronawk CEO and founder Dr. A.J. Mellott. “These biologics have the potential to allow researchers to easily develop and validate cutting-edge therapies to tackle a variety of diseases, cancers, and injuries. This funding helps Ronawk support broader research opportunities and pilot projects.”
The company also welcomed Paul Morris as its fourth addition to the Board of Directors. Morris currently holds the Chief Strategy Officer position at Solea Energy, LLC — an Overland Park-based firm that operates trades in U.S. wholesale electricity markets. Morris also serves as a board member at Bardavon Health Innovations, another venture-backed enterprise that is revolutionizing healthcare for employees of top U.S. corporations. Morris was the president and COO of Bardavon for six years up until 2021.
Morris has always admired the company’s innovation, noting that he has kept tabs on Ronawk for the past several years.
“I’ve been watching Ronawk since 2016 and have excitedly followed the evolution of their early IP discoveries into an advanced cell culture platform that is now ready for commercialization, Morris said. “As most of us are aware, there has been an explosion in cell-based research and the development of cell-based therapies across most fields of bioscience. This phenomenon has created a real need to grow cells more quickly, at lower cost, and for the introduction of new methodologies that can speed the therapy development process from benchtop to patient.”
Throughout his career, Morris has helped develop and market multiple companies through his service as a board member. As the company continues to grow, Mellott said the future is promising.
“Regarding commercialization, I believe the company is well positioned to enter into strategic relationships in different sectors, including plant, animal and human health sectors,” Morris said. “Stay tuned for more exciting things to come in 2023 from Ronawk.”
