Bulldog Biologic a first of its kind facility in Milledgeville

Published 10:14 pm Monday, May 16, 2022

Since opening in 1979, Aalto Scientific has manufactured controls and calibrators for medical equipment as an in vitro diagnostic (IVD) manufacturer. To ensure that doctors get an accurate reading on things such as blood work, Aalto takes in human blood and plasma to calibrate the controls and calibrators they make for analyzers (which are used for medical diagnosis). The blood donations are needed, as CFO Matt Lindsey explained, because scientists don’t yet know how to make artificial blood that can act exactly as real blood would.

Lindsey is the operator and manager of Bulldog Biologic, a business recently opened in Milledgeville by Aalto Scientific. The origins of Bulldog Biologic stem from Aalto’s need for a source of plasma and whole blood donations to make its products in Eatonton. 

“As part of our vertical integration strategy, Bulldog Biologic was the first offshoot to be able to vertically integrate and bring in raw materials that are owned and sourced by Aalto,” Lindsey said, adding that this process gives Aalto the ability to control its own supply rather than relying on other vendors.

Bulldog Biologic is in the business of paying donors to come and donate blood and plasma. 

During a short 10- to 15-minute process, donors give blood every two months. Plasma donation, on the other hand, takes “about 45 minutes per donor,” according to Lindsey. Plasma can be donated twice a week. Bulldog Biologic pays for each donation made, which includes $75 per donation of whole blood and $75 for plasma donors. 

All donors need to provide a social security card and a valid driver’s license, or if you don’t have a valid license, a piece of mail with your new/current address in order to donate. Donors must also go through an in-house physical (blood pressure, weight, age, etc.) to make sure they meet the speciations of being a qualified donor to Bulldog Biologic. Payments are placed on a renewable Visa debit card. 

Bulldog Biologic opened on April 15. Lindsey said that from what he has seen, the local community in Milledgeville is welcoming the business. 

“We’ve seen people that had been going to Macon stop going to Macon, and they’re using our local facility to donate instead of having to make the commute to Macon and donate,” Lindsey said. “So, I believe those individuals who are regular donors are liking that we’re in the community, and also those that might need a little extra help here and there, and need some money. It’s something that I think is going to benefit everybody here.”

Being open has been a great experience so far for Lindsey, thanks to a couple of factors. 

“Being able to meet the members of the community and provide help to those that need something,” he said. “Then in addition, it helps us source raw materials that we need for our operations.” 

Bulldog Biologic is notable for being the only facility of its kind in Milledgeville, but that’s not the only reason that the business stands out. 

“We try to pride ourselves on service and being gracious to those that come in,” he said.

There are multiple layers to the overall goal that Bulldog Biologic hopes to achieve. 

“Our goal is to create a great work environment for our staff, a friendly face for people that donate, and to grow our business according to what the market has for us,”Lindsey said. “If that means we stay in Milledgeville only, that’s great, but if there arise situations for growth, we’ll look at those opportunities and grow with them.”