UW’s IMPACT 307 Business Incubator Nurtures Innovative Biotech Company Page Title
Maya Gilmore, University of Wyoming Extension
Wyoming might not be known for its biotechnology industry, but the University of Wyoming’s IMPACT 307 business incubator aims to foster all kinds of innovative companies. That includes Unlocked Labs, Inc., a business that produces novel medical foods.
IMPACT 307 supports Wyoming startup enterprises in the early stages of growth by providing access to office and lab space, business resources, and individualized mentorship. Entrepreneur Christoph Geisler, who earned a PhD in molecular biology from UW in 2011, utilized IMPACT 307 to develop his biotechnology startup, Unlocked.
Geisler founded Unlocked in 2020 and is the company's CEO. The company is developing new medical foods, which are foods formulated to help manage certain diseases and conditions. Medical foods are regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and must be used under the supervision of a physician.
“We’re part of a small but growing biotech, research and development, and startup ecosystem that helps diversify the Wyoming economy,” says Geisler.
Unlocked’s medical foods utilize proprietary active postbiotic ingredients. These enzyme-rich bacterial remains are designed to break down chemical compounds that are known drivers of chronic health conditions.
The company’s flagship product breaks down oxalate, which is commonly found in foods like black tea and spinach. Too much oxalic acid can lead to kidney stones, kidney disease, and even kidney failure. Unlocked’s product is specifically designed to help maintain oxalate at healthy levels.
“The market is saturated with probiotic, prebiotic, and postbiotic products that promise vague benefits, with no clearly defined or understood mechanism of action,” Geisler explains. “Thus, we decided to build purpose-built biotics…that are specifically built to enzymatically break down target compounds known to be linked to chronic health conditions.”
Through the IMPACT 307 business incubator, Unlocked accessed a research lab to develop their products. IMPACT 307 also helped Geisler connect with investors, other entrepreneurs, and experienced mentors.
Unlocked graduated from IMPACT 307 in 2025, moving to an independent location in Laramie in order to continue growing.
“Knowledge and connections to local resources have been critical in getting Unlocked to where it is today,” Geisler comments.
While the company’s first product focuses on managing oxalate levels, Unlocked is also developing medical foods to manage other compounds that can contribute to chronic health conditions.
“Unlocked exemplifies the power of innovation and entrepreneurship at the University of Wyoming,” says Nicholas Giraldo, assistant director of IMPACT 307. “By translating research into products, jobs, and economic opportunity, companies like Unlocked help ensure that innovations developed at UW create meaningful benefits for Wyoming and beyond.”