Sweetgrass Bio

Elevated Commercial Insight and Execution

At Sweetgrass Bio, we partner with advanced therapies organizations to align manufacturing, quality, and regulatory realities with commercial strategy and execution. Our work is grounded in deep, hands-on experience across the plasmid DNA value chain, with a focused understanding of the commercial and operational demands of CDMO environments.

Christy Franco, PhD

Dr. Christy Franco is a commercial operations leader with more than 15 years of experience guiding biotech and CDMO organizations through growth and transformation. She combines scientific rigor with strategic execution, bringing deep domain expertise in plasmid DNA manufacturing, viral vector raw material sourcing, cell and gene therapy, genetic vaccines, and advanced biologics.

As Founder of Sweetgrass Bio, she works with clients to define and elevate commercial strategy, marketing, and revenue operations, building scalable systems that translate scientific innovation into durable business outcomes.

Prior to founding Sweetgrass Bio, Dr. Franco spent over a decade driving commercial strategy for a leading plasmid DNA CDMO, VGXI, in Houston, Texas. As Senior Director of Commercial Operations, she was responsible for the full client lifecycle and served as a direct interface with executive leadership, establishing go-to-market strategy, building commercial infrastructure across business development, sales operations, and program management, and advancing thought leadership initiatives.

Dr. Franco holds a Ph.D. in Bioengineering from Rice University and a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin. She serves on multiple industry advisory boards supporting biotechnology workforce development and manufacturing innovation.

Commercial Strategy & Market Positioning

Sweetgrass Bio partners with biotech and CDMO organizations to define clear, differentiated market strategies that translate scientific value into commercial momentum. We help clients navigate product positioning, go-to-market planning, and portfolio prioritization, ensuring every strategic decision supports growth and differentiation in a competitive landscape.

Growth Enablement & Revenue Operations

We build the infrastructure that drives scalable, measurable growth. Our expertise spans CRM and lead management, commercial analytics, and operational process design, aligning marketing, sales, and leadership around data-driven execution and customer success.

Strategic Partnerships & Advisory

We guide business development and partnership initiatives that create long-term value. From identifying new markets to supporting deal strategy and investor engagement, Sweetgrass Bio brings commercial insight and domain expertise to every stage of strategic decision-making.

Behind the Sweetgrass Name

Traditionally valued for its resilience, adaptability, and subtle strength, sweetgrass is a perennial grass native to North America. It grows extensive roots, thrives in challenging environments, and is known for its clean, distinctive presence rather than flash.

Sweetgrass Bio reflects these same principles. We focus on durable, well-grounded commercial and technical strategies that support advanced biologics and biomanufacturing organizations over the long term, helping teams grow with clarity, integrity, and purpose.