Cellipont is the latest – and greatest – biotech firm to come to The Woodlands

THE WOODLANDS, TX – The streets named ‘Research Forest’ and ‘Technology Forest’ didn’t come about by accident. When he was first envisioning The Woodlands, George Mitchell paved the way – literally and figuratively – for the Township to play host to a burgeoning technology industry.

The latest addition to our technology corridor is a forward-leaping biotech company called Cellipont Bioservices. This cutting-edge CDMO (contract development and manufacturing organization) provides pharmaceutical companies, healthcare organizations, and more with the facilities, equipment, people, and expertise for the advancement of cell therapies.

The team that was put together to find a facility for the company’s Texas operations searched across the nation, but knew they had found the perfect home with The Woodlands. “Texas is very business friendly, making this the ideal spot,” said Chief Operating Officer Mike O’Mara. “I myself am moving in from Maryland, Annie Perinelli, our Director of Business Development Operations is coming here from Philadelphia, and we anticipate a smooth melding between the existing staff that has been out of state and the new employees that we are finding locally to make up 90 percent of our local staff.”

The company’s new location is a purpose-built, 76,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility that includes seven clean rooms, quality control labs, temperature-controlled storage, segregated shipping bays, warehouse, and administrative offices, marking a significant milestone in Cellipont’s mission to advance cell therapy development and manufacturing, while serving patients worldwide. The company recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house at a highly attended event that included the top-level executives, industry leaders, healthcare-based clients, and local community icons, including JJ Hollie, President and CEO of The Woodlands Area Chamber of Commerce, and Gil Staley, CEO of The Woodlands Area Economic Development Partnership.

“We’re very excited to do the grand opening of Cellipont Bioservices, a science/technology firm that’s part of a growing life-sciences ecosystem that’s growing throughout The Woodlands area, and we’re excited to have them here,” said Hollie. “What’s neat is there are more companies like this coming here, and it’s a great way to diversify our economy. It’s no accident that George Mitchell named ‘Research Forest’ and ‘Technology Forest’ on purpose, and we are putting the research and technology back into The Woodlands.”

“We’re so absolutely thrilled to be at this grand opening,” added Staley. “We worked on this project for nearly two years, and those who are here tonight can see this absolutely phenomenal space to create and manufacture cell therapy for very important patient care all over the world. And Cellipont is calling this home now.”

Cellipoint’s team of cell therapy CDMO experts has more than 15 years of experience in the development and small-to-large batch manufacturing of cell therapies. With more than 18,000 tissue samples and an excess of 1,800 primary cell cultures, their expertise runs deep.

“We represent the present and future of cell therapy, which has evolved at an exponential rate,” said O’Mara. “While the early days of stem cell therapy were controversial in some circles, the current technology of cell therapy – where you use cells from your own body – has profound possibilities.”

These possibilities are rapid morphing into real-world applications being utilized by partners in the local healthcare industry that could possibly – and are designed to – eradicate cancer. “It’s real; now solid tumors can be attacked,” said Edwin Beale, Chief Commercial Officer for Cellipont. “The drugs we make are keeping people alive. These are actual curative treatments, making this a very exciting time. When it comes to curing cancer, this is a cooperative, not competitive, industry.”

When asked about their impressions of The Woodlands, the advance team was unanimous in their praise.

“It actually looks familiar to me, because the Township planners were also responsible for Columbia, Maryland, where I lived,” said O’Mara. “It’s very impressive that everything is here; you never have to leave. And I don’t want to; by far, The Woodlands community has been the most welcoming and open imaginable, making our integration into the community incredibly easy.”

“We’re very embedded in the community already, thanks to the welcoming nature of the people here” agreed Perinelli. Cellipont has already started partnering with local schools to help build out their biotech programs, and has also been asked to be on several advisory boards for institutions such as San Jacinto College, Sam Houston State University, and Lone Star College, with an eye toward one day instituting an ‘Adopt-a-Student’ program.

“It’s a very different experience; here, everyone works together. Elsewhere I’ve been, it’s more of an island,” said Beale. “The ready availability to the airport and the local hotels make it great for clients, as does The Woodlands’ significant entertainment world.”

As Cellipont kicks operations into high gear, they are looking to fill numerous key positions with local talent. “You don’t necessarily have to be a scientist to work here,” said O’Mara. “We have a high focus on training, and we tend to look for talent more than we look for a four-year degree. I mean, this is such a new industry that experts in it are learning on the spot themselves.”

Cellipont staffing needs are for people with good ‘soft skills,’ who have an eye for detail, can make judgment calls, and can rely on instincts. The recruitment staff has learned that many of their talented pool of employees have come from industries such as teaching, cosmetics, food and beverage, and even high school.

Cellipont is located at 9501 Lakeside Blvd in The Woodlands.

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