From bench to bedside faster and with greater global access…

With international coalitions to support the rare disease community…

Welcome to the future of gene therapy.


About Us


Franklin Biolabs, a new genetic medicines contract research organization (CRO), will be the services and production arm, providing comprehensive solutions from discovery to development and distribution for the global genetic medicines industry.

Alongside GEMMABio, Franklin Biolabs will advance cell & gene therapy research and deliver therapeutics to patients around the world significantly faster.

James M. Wilson, MD, PhD, Founder of Franklin Biolabs

Meet Our Founder


James M. Wilson, MD, PhD

Having started his work in gene therapy nearly 40 years ago, Dr. Wilson was recruited to the University of Pennsylvania in 1993 and created the first and largest academic-based program in gene therapy. His laboratory discovered a family of viruses from primates called adeno-associated viruses (AAV) that could be engineered to be very effective gene transfer vehicles. These "vectors" have become the technology platform of choice and have set the stage for the recent resurgence of the field of gene therapy.

Dr. Wilson has also been active in facilitating the commercial development of these new gene therapy platforms through the establishment of eight biotechnology companies. His research has been focused on rare inherited diseases, ranging from cystic fibrosis to dyslipidemias to a variety of neurologic disorders and liver metabolic diseases, and on addressing these unmet needs for patients in marginalized populations. To date, his team’s accomplishments include 3 FDA-approved AAV-based gene therapies, 40+ active programs in development, 95 patents on gene therapy-related technologies, and first-in-patient studies in 15 different diseases.

Meet Our CEO


Vatsala Naageshwaran, PhD

Dr. Naageshwaran is an award-winning executive with more than 20 years of experience advancing innovative therapies for patients as well as supporting technical and commercial operations to deliver multimillion-dollar revenues and top-line growth. Dr. Naageshwaran has deep operational and transactional experience in multiple therapeutic areas for small molecules and cell and gene therapies.

Dr. Naageshwaran spent the majority of her career at a major service provider for the life sciences industry, involved in all aspects of decision making to develop the pipeline and global portfolio for multiple business verticals and key market sectors.

Launched October 1, 2024


Based in Greater Philadelphia

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