New Company Expands Biotech Industry In Oklahoma City

Wheeler Bio just opened its doors in downtown Oklahoma City with hopes to bring high quality protein therapeutic solutions to the metro. It is another example of a growing innovation district.

What the company does is complex, but can be broken down to taking newly discovered drugs and scaling it to a level where it is enough material to safely meet all of the FDA requirements so that it is ready for human clinical trials.

Jesse McCool, CEO and Co-Founder of Wheeler Bio, said the company has been in the works for around 3 years. 

“This opening up our first good practices manufacturing facility to actually do the pharmaceutical manufacturing in Oklahoma City is a huge milestone," McCool said. 

Partnering with local businesses, they have brought in 37 staff members so far. 

McCool and other partners have connections on the east coast and they hope to link those in with their mission here in Oklahoma. 

"We really see Oklahoma City as being able to offer this low cost, high quality manufacturing solution,” McCool said. 

On their website Wheeler Bio staff describe OKC as " An innovative biohub with an established biomanufacturing industry and clinical research network. Wheeler is building state-of-the-art facilities here, embracing the Pharma 4.0 model. Our platforms integrate with CROs’ discovery services in novel ways to create a low-cost model for translating innovation into clinical impact."

Jesse says they already have a formal relationship with Stephenson Cancer Center, allowing their customers to talk with physicians if needed.

"Cancer trials have a therapeutic intent. It is not just about safety, it is about trying to treat people and so that has a real impact on people's health," McCool said. 

Their first customer batch is scheduled for early November or late October and pre-manufacturing has already begun.

To learn more about Wheeler Bio visit:  https://wheelerbio.com/