SweetBio is a Memphis-based biotech company founded in 2015 that develops advanced wound care products using bioengineered Manuka honey and collagen to treat acute and chronic wounds, including diabetic ulcers, Mohs surgery recovery, biopsies, and oral tissue regeneration.[1][2][3][4] Their flagship products, APIS® (a prescription dissolvable pad for chronic and acute wounds) and VERIS™ (for surgical and ulcer recovery), have secured FDA clearance, Medicare/commercial insurance coverage, and patents in 16 countries, addressing affordability gaps in high-performance wound care.[1][2][3] With $10M+ in funding (including seed rounds totaling $6.22M reported), SweetBio serves patients, clinicians, and healthcare providers underserved by expensive treatments, offering clinically proven solutions that reduce bacteria, inflammation, and promote healing at a mid-tier price point between basic gauze ($1-10) and premium human tissue products ($1,000+).[1][3][4]
The company emphasizes ethics, accessibility, and inclusivity, inspired by real-world inequities like diabetic amputations due to unaffordable care, positioning it for growth in chronic wound markets projected to impact millions.[1][2]
SweetBio was co-founded in May 2015 by siblings Kayla Rodriguez Graff (CEO, with a background in consumer goods at Target’s Innovation Office and an MBA) and Dr. Isaac Rodriguez (CTO and co-inventor, PhD in biomedical engineering, University of Memphis alum, and postdoctoral researcher).[1][3][4][5][7] The idea emerged from Isaac's lab work at the University of Memphis's Tissue Template Engineering and Regeneration Laboratory under Dr. Gary L. Bowlin, where he developed a patent-pending dissolvable membrane incorporating Manuka honey for guided tissue regeneration (GTR), initially targeting oral surgeries for tooth loss and bone support.[2][4][5]
A pivotal family story fueled the mission: their great-grandfather in Puerto Rico died from a diabetic wound complication due to unaffordable care.[1] Kayla, initially eyeing digital startups in San Francisco, pivoted after Isaac demoed the collagen-Manuka honey tech, blending her consumer expertise with his biomedical innovation.[1][3] Early traction came via Epicenter’s ZeroTo510 Accelerator in 2015, licensing from the University of Memphis, raising $1M+ initially from Innova and MB Venture Partners, and navigating FDA hurdles, Medicaid coverage, and patents.[2][3][5] By 2024, they launched VERIS™ post-$10M funding, marking commercial momentum.[1]
SweetBio rides the regenerative medicine and biotech wave, harnessing natural biomaterials like Manuka honey amid rising chronic wound prevalence (e.g., diabetes affecting 200M+ Americans by 2027 for oral/dental needs alone) and post-pandemic focus on infection-resistant, affordable healthcare.[2][4][5] Timing aligns with FDA efficiencies for medical devices, insurance expansions for underserved care, and investor interest in impact-driven biotech (e.g., Apple’s Racial Equity Initiative via VamosVentures).[6]
Market forces favor it: advanced wound care demand surges (chronic ulcers, surgical recovery), but high costs exclude millions, creating SweetBio's niche for "honey-engineered" alternatives that cut downstream expenses like amputations/infections.[1][2][4] It influences Memphis's startup ecosystem as an Epicenter success, inspiring bioengineering hubs, Latine-led innovation, and OTC expansions, while challenging incumbents with ethical, scalable tech.[2][3]
SweetBio's trajectory points to national scaling, OTC product launches, and new markets like expanded surgical/chronic care, fueled by $10M+ capital and regulatory wins.[1][2] Trends like AI-optimized biomaterials, personalized medtech, and equity-focused funding will amplify growth, potentially evolving it into a category leader bridging natural healing with biotech precision.
As a Memphis biotech pioneer humanizing wound care from family tragedy to FDA-cleared reality, SweetBio exemplifies accessible innovation reshaping healing for all.[1]
SweetBio has raised $2.6M in total across 4 funding rounds.
SweetBio's investors include AgFunder, Innova Memphis, Vamos Ventures, Mike Rowehl.
SweetBio has raised $2.6M across 4 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $550K Seed in February 2021.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 1, 2021 | $550K Seed | AgFunder, Innova Memphis, Vamos Ventures, Mike Rowehl | |
| Oct 1, 2018 | $930K Seed | Innova Memphis | |
| Dec 1, 2015 | $1.0M Seed | Innova Memphis | |
| May 1, 2015 | $100K Seed | Innova Memphis |
