$250K invested in RealBio Technology Inc. of Kalamazoo

Research into cell and tissue culture technology got a boost when the Biosciences Research and Commercialization Center at Western Michigan University invested $250,000 in Kalamazoo-based RealBio Technology Inc.RealBio, founded in 2009,  has three full-time employees and six part-time employees working at its headquarters at the Southwest Michigan Innovation Center at Western Michigan University.BRCC invests in growing early stage companies in Michigan and is located in the Western Michigan University Business Technology and Research Park.  RealBio is commercializing cell and tissue growth systems and developing a new generation of three-dimensional cell culture technology, which is exclusively licensed by the company. It has a patent pending.The RealBio Culture System enables researchers to study the growth of human primary cells and tissues over a long period of time. It also will allow access to a steady supply of stem cells for research purposes and for the formation of human tissue for in-vitro toxicology.RealBio President and CEO Paul Neeb says this is the first phase of funding in building toward the release of RealBio’s cell and tissue collection tools, and that another half-dozen or so employees will be hired within the next year as the product comes to market.RealBio is part of the Southwest Michigan First Life Sciences Fund portfolio and has received financial and logistical support from the fund as part of a regional effort to foster further medical research, generate jobs, stimulate economic development and create wealth in Southwest Michigan. Writer: Kim North Shine Source: Southwest Michigan First