From Stem Cells to Startups

Dr. Nadja Zeltner is most at home in the lab, where she has spent years studying stem cells and the peripheral nervous system. But as her research evolved and the potential for real-world therapies came into view, so did a new calling. Her work needed a pathway to reach patients faster. That realization marked the beginning of Neela Cell, a new biotechnology startup spun out of her lab at the University of Georgia.

Zeltner is an associate professor of biochemistry and molecular biology. She founded Neela Cell in the summer of 2024 with a focused mission. The company is working to develop and distribute customized stem cell lines for drug discovery and to bring a novel compound, Genipin, closer to clinical use.

“I did not want to create a company just to have a company,” she said. “I wanted to do things we simply could not do within the limits of an academic lab.”

Discovery and Momentum

Zeltner’s team first identified Genipin as a potential treatment for peripheral neuropathy, a condition caused by nerve damage. Their preclinical studies in mouse models showed that Genipin could help nerves regenerate faster and more effectively after injury. The results were exciting, but translating that breakthrough into a real-world therapy would require a new approach.

At the same time, other researchers began requesting access to the specialized cell lines Zeltner’s lab was developing. The cells were tailored to help study disease processes and test drug candidates. The interest sparked a new idea. What if they could make these cells available to others on a broader scale?

That idea became the foundation of Neela Cell. Today, the company has two primary goals. One is to produce and distribute high-quality pluripotent stem cells to accelerate scientific research and drug discovery. The other is to continue developing Genipin, with the hope of entering human clinical trials in the next few years.

Building the Business

Zeltner’s first step into entrepreneurship began with a conversation about patents. She reached out to Chris Rhodes at the UGA Innovation District, hoping for guidance on protecting her lab’s discoveries. What she found was a network of support that helped turn her early ideas into a focused, fundable startup.

“I did not really know what I did not know,” she said. “Chris helped me understand the importance of patents and connected me to people who could help shape this into something real.”

That early support grew into a deeper partnership. With help from the Innovation District and a grant from Georgia State, Zeltner began formalizing her business plan. She also participated in the Female Founders Bootcamp, a cohort-based program that provided time, structure, and mentorship to help researchers make the leap into entrepreneurship.

“There is so much going on in academic life. It was honestly good to be forced to think about the company once a week,” she said. “It helped me get into the mindset.”

Training Ground for the Next Generation

Neela Cell is also creating opportunities for student researchers to grow alongside the company. One student participated in the regional I-Corps program and has been accepted into the national I-Corps cohort this fall. The company also secured support from the Georgia Research Alliance and a District grant that allowed them to bring on a business consultant.

“As an academic, you are used to figuring things out on your own,” Zeltner said. “But when it comes to grants and finances and forming a company, there are so many small differences. It has been incredibly helpful to have someone I can ask about all the little details.”

Zeltner credits much of the progress to the people and programs at UGA. From help with patents to guidance on funding strategy, she says every step has been shaped by conversations with people who were willing to listen and offer insight.

“Everyone I have talked to at UGA has been so helpful and supportive,” she said. “And Chris is always a great go-to person. He either knows the answer or knows who does.”

Looking Ahead

Neela Cell’s next chapter will focus on securing additional grant funding to build out lab space and begin commercial operations. The Innovation District has already identified lab space the team can rent once funding is in place. From there, the work will begin to scale up production of stem cell lines and continue the path toward clinical trials for Genipin.

“Stem cells have a mind of their own,” Zeltner said with a laugh. “But once everything is in place, we will be ready to go.”

There is still plenty to navigate, from grant applications to red tape to legal complexities. Zeltner admits the learning curve has been steep. But the longer she works in this new space, the more confident she becomes.

“The first patent was the hardest,” she said. “But it has only gotten easier from there.”

At its core, Neela Cell is driven by the same motivation that led Zeltner into science in the first place–the desire to help people.

“I have always wanted to find real solutions for real patients,” she said. “Through the lab and the company, we are discovering what works and building the path to get it to the people who need it most.”