Ossium Health Welcomes Indiana Governor Mike Braun and Healthcare Leaders for Facility Tour and Reception
Ossium Health recently opened its doors to state officials, healthcare leaders, and members of the regional life sciences community for a special facility tour and reception at its production site in Indianapolis. The event served as both a showcase of the company’s cutting-edge work in cell therapy and a celebration of its growing role within Indiana’s rapidly expanding biotechnology ecosystem. Among the distinguished attendees was Mike Braun, whose presence underscored the importance of innovation-driven economic development in the state.
The Indianapolis facility, spanning nearly 34,000 square feet, functions as the operational core of Ossium Health’s pioneering organ donor-derived bone marrow banking platform. Designed to support large-scale production and research activities, the site includes five ISO 7 cleanrooms, a bulk supply warehouse, dedicated research and development laboratories, and office space for a multidisciplinary team of scientists, production specialists, and quality assurance professionals. During the tour, attendees were given a comprehensive look at how the company processes, preserves, and prepares bone marrow stem cells for therapeutic use.
Leaders and guests had the opportunity to engage directly with Ossium’s executive and scientific teams, gaining deeper insight into the company’s mission to transform outcomes for patients facing life-threatening blood and immune disorders. By leveraging innovative approaches to stem cell sourcing and preservation, the company is addressing critical gaps in current treatment options—particularly for patients who struggle to find compatible donors through traditional registries.
The roots of this innovation are deeply tied to Indiana’s longstanding leadership in cell therapy and hematology research. The state has played a pivotal role in advancing treatments for blood cancers, including groundbreaking work conducted at the Indiana University School of Medicine. Notably, the foundational science behind the world’s first cord blood transplant was developed there, establishing Indiana as a hub for pioneering research in this field.
Ossium’s leadership reflects this rich scientific heritage. Key figures within the company, including Chief Science Officer Dr. Erik J. Woods and Medical Director Dr. W. Scott Goebel, trained and conducted research at the renowned Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research at Riley Hospital for Children. Their work in Indianapolis laid the groundwork for many of the technologies now being advanced at Ossium.
Dr. Woods is recognized for developing an optimized cryopreservation method for cord blood stem cells, a technique that has been widely adopted across the field of regenerative medicine. Meanwhile, Dr. Goebel has dedicated his career to advancing gene and cellular therapies for hematopoietic diseases, contributing to significant progress in treating complex blood disorders. Together, their expertise helped drive the development of Ossium’s novel approach to recovering and banking bone marrow stem cells from deceased organ donors.
Founded in 2016, Ossium Health was built on a bold and transformative concept: creating a large-scale bank of bone marrow stem cells sourced from organ donors. This “off-the-shelf” approach aims to provide readily available stem cell therapies for patients with blood cancers and immune diseases, particularly those who cannot find suitable matches through living donor registries. Each year, thousands of patients face this challenge, making alternative solutions like Ossium’s critically important.
The company’s progress is already being reflected in patient outcomes. To date, 23 individuals have received transplants using Ossium’s organ donor-derived bone marrow, including two patients treated within Indiana. These cases represent not only clinical milestones but also tangible evidence of the potential impact this technology can have on patient lives. By reducing the time required to identify compatible donors and enabling access to higher-dose grafts, Ossium’s platform is helping to expand treatment possibilities for patients in urgent need.
The event also highlighted the broader growth of Indiana’s life sciences sector, which has emerged as a major economic driver in recent years. According to BioCrossroads, the state’s life sciences industry has surpassed $100 billion in annual economic impact for the first time, solidifying its position as a national leader. Indiana is also recognized as the top exporter of life sciences products in the United States, reflecting the strength and global reach of its biotech and pharmaceutical industries.
Governor Mike Braun has been a strong advocate for continued investment in this sector, supporting a $1 billion initiative aimed at positioning Indiana as a premier destination for biotechnology, human therapeutics, and medical innovation. The state’s central region has identified life sciences as a key pillar of its long-term economic development strategy, further reinforcing the importance of companies like Ossium.
In remarks delivered during the event, Governor Braun praised the company’s contributions to both healthcare innovation and job creation. He emphasized that organizations such as Ossium Health play a vital role in showcasing Indiana’s capabilities on a national stage while helping to build a high-skilled workforce.
Ossium’s CEO, Co-Founder, and President Kevin Caldwell expressed appreciation for the state’s support and highlighted the collaborative environment that has enabled the company’s growth. He noted that Indiana has provided the infrastructure and resources necessary to advance the company’s mission of saving lives through innovative cell therapies.
Beyond its scientific and clinical achievements, Ossium is also a major contributor to the local economy and workforce. The company employs a growing number of professionals across production, research, and quality functions, all based in Indianapolis. Its commitment to innovation and workplace excellence has earned national recognition, including honors from Fast Company as one of the Best Workplaces for Innovators and from Forbes as one of America’s Best Startup Employers.
Ossium is also actively engaged in fostering collaboration within the local biotech community. Earlier this year, the company hosted a networking event organized by Indy BioBridge, bringing together professionals from across the region to share ideas and build partnerships. Such initiatives contribute to a vibrant and interconnected life sciences ecosystem in Indianapolis.
The facility tour and reception generated widespread media attention, with coverage from major local outlets including WISH-TV, CBS, ABC, FOX, and others. This visibility reflects growing public interest in the role of biotechnology in shaping the future of medicine and economic development.
Overall, the event served as a powerful reminder of how innovation, collaboration, and strategic investment can come together to drive meaningful progress. As Ossium Health continues to expand its capabilities and advance its groundbreaking therapies, it stands at the forefront of a new era in regenerative medicine—one that holds the promise of transforming care for patients with some of the most challenging and life-threatening conditions.
About Ossium Health
Ossium Health is a bioengineering company that leverages its proprietary organ donor bone marrow banking platform to develop stem cell therapies for patients with life-threatening hematologic conditions and musculoskeletal defects. Founded in 2016, the company is led by Kevin Caldwell, CEO, Co-Founder & President, and Erik Woods, Chief Science Officer, Co-Founder & Executive Vice President. Ossium’s manufacturing facility is registered with the FDA and its laboratory is certified under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA).
Source Link:https://www.businesswire.com/
