Wheeler Bio, a contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) specializing in process development and cGMP manufacturing of antibody-based therapies, has closed an oversubscribed Series A-1 financing round. The $35 million round was led by Alloy Therapeutics and Echo Investment Capital (Echo), with participation from Mitsubishi Corporation (Americas), Germin8 Ventures, and Russell Westbrook Enterprises.

Wheeler Bio is built upon its foundational scientific platform, Modular CMC. Along with supporting the ongoing success of clients, this financing will broaden Wheeler’s capabilities and pave the way for future growth – including planning the build-out of a 52,000-square-foot large-scale biologics manufacturing facility adjacent to a biomanufacturing workforce training center (BioTC) at Convergence in the Oklahoma City Innovation District.

“This investment will fuel Wheeler’s ongoing efforts to expand its partner base, team, and capabilities in order to accelerate the advancement of our partners’ therapies,” said Patrick Lucy, President and Chief Executive Officer of Wheeler Bio. “Wheeler’s scientific team and Modular CMC platform coupled with our customer intimate approach is well positioned to enable our partners through clinical and commercial manufacturing.”

“Wheeler Bio continues to redefine the art of the possible for drug development in the United States,” said Christian Kanady, Co-Founder of Wheeler Bio and Founding Partner and CEO of Echo. “This impressive line-up of investors symbolizes both deepened and new partnerships that will be significant as Wheeler accelerates growth and ultimately scales its footprint in Oklahoma City and beyond.”