Synthego, a provider of genome editing solutions, and bit.bio, a synthetic biology firm, said that they are expanding their strategic partnership to work on a platform for implementing synthetic circuitry in cells engineered for therapeutic applications.
Under the terms of the expanded agreement, the companies will combine Synthego’s expertise in gene editing with bit.bio’s opti-oxTM precision cell programming technology. The opti-ox technology is designed to convert induced pluripotent stem cells into any desired human cell type in a single step.
Specifically, Synthego will design and test an end-to-end multiplexed genetic engineering strategy that increases the speed and safety of engineering human cells. This multiplexed opti-ox engineering approach is expected to shorten the clinical cell engineering and development times by as much as 10 months.
With these improvements, bit.bio will be able to accelerate its efforts to develop highly scalable cell therapies for various areas of unmet clinical need including metabolic disease. The company previously announced a partnership with BlueRock Therapeutics to develop treatments for autoimmune and inflammatory disorders.
“We are thrilled to deepen our partnership with bit.bio to facilitate a leap forward in the development of synthetic biology-based cell therapies,” Synthego CEO Paul Dabrowski said in a statement. “By coordinating our respective technologies, expertise, and resources, we will unlock new opportunities for addressing critical challenges in the field by advancing the R&D cycle of innovative cell therapies.”
“Synthego are experts when it comes to industrialized cell engineering,” Mark Kotter, CEO at bit.bio, noted. “Teaming up with Synthego will boost our genetic engineering capabilities. We expect efficiency gains across bit.bio’s platform which will allow us and our partners to deliver transformative therapies more rapidly to patients in need.”
