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BioFlorida and the Regenerative Medicine Boom
EPISODE 55 [LIVE]
What’s the Buzz?! |BioFlorida and the Regenerative Medicine Bloom
In this episode of What's the Buzz?!, we're joined by Dr. Jesse McCool, President and COO at GBI Bio, for a conversation on how Florida is positioning itself as a major biotech manufacturing and life sciences hub, and the infrastructure, talent, and innovation needed to make that happen.
This session will give you a look into GBI Bio and explore how innovations in microscale GMP manufacturing, next-generation stem cell production, and regional collaboration are helping position Florida as a leading biotech hub. From solving talent shortages to building a connected statewide ecosystem, the conversation examines what it will take to scale biotech innovation, manufacturing capacity, and economic growth across Florida.
Streamed on LinkedIn, YouTube, and Facebook.
About the Guest
Dr. Jesse McCool
Jesse McCool, Ph.D., is an operations executive, advisor, and board-level leader with 20+ years of experience scaling regulated manufacturing and mission-critical operations across biotech, CDMOs, and healthcare. He has held senior leadership roles at Lonza Group, Cytovance Biologics, Wheeler Bio, Bionova Scientific, and Our Blood Institute leading greenfield and brownfield facility start-ups and scale-ups and driving operational transformation.
His background spans plasmid DNA manufacturing, monoclonal antibody development and production, and viral vector–enabled advanced therapy supply chains, with strengths in quality systems, tech transfer, and process validation. Jesse is known for disciplined operating rhythms, KPI-driven management, and culture-building that improves performance and customer experience. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and completed postdoctoral studies at Dartmouth and TU Delft.
About the Host
Chris Frew
Chris is the Founder of BioBuzz Networks, Inc, a life science talent community and hiring platform, and CEO of Workforce Genetics, LLC (WGx), a prominent life science recruitment firm. He has been supporting companies in the regional life sciences industry with recruiting and marketing solutions for 20+ years.
Previously serving as the Vice President of Sales at Breezio, a leading innovator in cloud-based online communities, and the Vice President of Tech USA’s Scientific Division, which he founded and grew into a national practice. Chris has almost two decades of experience successfully leading teams, projects and fostering engaged communities within the Life Science industry.
He is a Maryland native and a graduate of Towson University.
About the Program
What's the Buzz?!
This weekly podcast, broadcast live, features life sciences leaders and regional ecosystem builders who share bold ideas, real stories, and what’s ahead for our industry.
Hosted by our CEO, Chris Frew, and powered by Heffron, this 30-minute virtual series is streamed across LinkedIn, YouTube, and Facebook — reaching thousands of professionals every episode.
The show highlights one-on-one conversations with founders, executives, strategists, and ecosystem builders. While focusing on the biohubs where we are most active, What’s the Buzz?! also explores emerging regions, trends, and innovations shaping the future of life sciences.
Topics include:
➡️ Biotech growth & investment trends
➡️ Workforce development & talent strategies
➡️ Emerging tools & technologies
➡️ Policy & ecosystem influence
➡️ Public-private collaboration
About the Sponsor
Heffron
Founded in 1922, Heffron Company is a fourth-generation, family-owned firm in the Washington, D.C. region redefining construction and service for complex, highly regulated environments.
With deep expertise in plumbing and HVAC, design-build, renovation and tenant services, and complex systems installation, Heffron supports mission-critical life sciences and biotech facilities alongside education, government, and commercial projects. Their work includes university research labs, federal research buildings, corporate R&D headquarters, and GMP-compliant biotech spaces.
Known for integrity, collaboration, and technical excellence, Heffron delivers reliable, high-performance systems through clear communication and consistent on-time, on-budget execution.