Company inspired by cancer survivor grows

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After being diagnosed with cancer, the father of Stomagienics co-founder Theresa Johnson later learned he would have to undergo an ostomy surgery within days.

While the procedure was successful, according to Johnson, the lack of independence brought on by the ostomy took a toll on her father and he began to battle depression.

One day, he’d had enough and drove to a hardware store. He walked up and down the aisles collecting parts for a device that would not only make it easier for him to change his ostomy bag but would also lay the groundwork for a family startup, Johnson said on a company video.

Launched in 2018, Greenville-based Stomagienics is expanding over the next three years to meet the demand for its StomaGenie, an ostomy pouch replacement cartridge based off the original fashioned by Johnson’s father from hardware store supplies. According to the company, Stomagenie gives ostomy patients more control of output and allows for a much more hygienic and sanitary changing process.

The undisclosed investment is expected to create 30 jobs in the Upstate, and was brought about through partnerships with the Greenville Area Development Corp., the S.C. Research Association, SCBIO and Next.

“The support and resources made available to us through state and local programs, along with outstanding private sector talent, have been instrumental in our development, and make Greenville, S.C., a great place to start and grow a business,” Johnson, now COO of Stomagienics, said in a news release. “We have gained access to project grants, intellectual property development, Medicare reimbursement expertise and connections to leading universities, clinical staff, and life sciences professionals. Our partnerships with SCBIO, GADC, SCRA and Next are all positive factors as we seek capital to reach the next level in our development.”

Located in expanded facilities at 1200 Woodruff Road in Greenville, Stomagienics’ expansion includes facilities and equipment for sales and operations, production of its StomaGenie pouch replacement cartridge, and research and development. The company is seeking distributors, investors and business partners.

“When a homegrown company experiences success within our borders, all of South Carolina wins,” Gov. Henry McMaster said in the release. “We are particularly proud of the fantastic work Stomagienics is doing every day to improve the lives of people around the world.”

More than 35% of ostomy patients experienced a skin complication related to waste contamination during the first 90 days after surgery, while more than 80% experience some type of complication within two years of their surgery, driving up costs and impacting patient outcomes, according to the company.

“It is particularly rewarding when a home-grown organization like Stomagienics chooses to grow and expand its presence in Greenville County,” Willis Meadows, Greenville County Council chairman and Greenville Area Development Corp. board member, said in the release. “This is evidence that our strategic focus on helping existing industry grow is paying off, and that our strategic emphasis on medical devices and life science organizations are producing results.”