Do you have a great enzymatic invention that could solve a major challenge and elevate your business, but find commercial terms are holding you back from bringing it to market? Or are you struggling to find the ideal enzyme that works under required conditions, catalyzes a novel reaction, or enables the needed productivity in a process?
These issues are common across many fields. That’s why having the right solution matters. Our solution is: MetXtra™.
One of the most transformative breakthroughs in the field of molecular biology has been the development of the CRISPR-Cas9 technology. The ability to precisely introduce genomic modifications has wide-raging potential application in medicine, personalized pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, among others. Its significance was well recognized in the scientific community and awarded the Nobel price in Chemistry in 2020.
However, this disruptive innovation was accompanied with great disputes and the legal battle over the commercialization and the intellectual property. A prolonged IP conflict led to an uncertainty around licensing agreements, drove up the licencing costs and ultimately hindered further industrial application of the technology.
Rational bioprospecting can increase the chances of success for the discovery of enzymes. (C) BRAIN Biotech AG.
At BRAIN Biotech, we set out to overcome these challenges by turning to nature for inspiration - based on the principle that where one gene scissor has evolved in nature, there must be more. Understanding how CRISPR systems function, we selected rationally promising locations in nature to search for novel CRISPR systems through digital metagenomics (metagenome isolation, sequencing, database generation).
In combination with the development of an advanced bioinformatics pipeline, we discovered new CRISPR-like systems with little to no sequence identity to the previously described CRISPR-Cas9. The newly identified CRISPR nucleases allow us to navigate and overcome the IP challenges surrounding the CRISPR-Cas9 dispute.
Under the name BRAIN Metagenomic Cas (BMC), BRAIN Biotech developed and now utilizes the proprietary genome editing tool to optimize microorganisms to reach the desired properties. CRISPR-BMC has the potential to edit genomes across a wide range of prokaryotic and eucaryotic cells. Today, CRISPR-BMC serves as our go-to solution for optimizing enzyme production platforms such as Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Komagataella phaffii (Pichia pastoris), or Aspergillus niger, or further prokaryotic or eukaryotic strains. CRISPR-BMC enables the efficient introduction of targeted genomic modifications thereby significantly reducing development timelines and costs.
![]()
CRISPR-BMC gives us an immense advantage by enabling faster and precise strain improvement. The discovery of novel CRISPR nucleases demonstrates the vast potential of biodiversity and the ability of MetXtra to provide innovative solutions.
- Director, Unit Head Microbial Strain Development
This success story can be applied to many different classes of enzymes, and rational bioprospecting can help expand the horizon of the enzymatic possibilities. Continuously gathered data from our bioprospecting campaigns are constantly collected in our proprietary MetXtraTM database (one pillar of the MetXtraTM technology platform). It allows us and our clients to search for novel enzymes and functionalities in the seemingly infinite biological diversity. This approach makes it possible to identify the ideal enzyme for your specific application.
Whether your goal is to establish or optimize biocatalytic processes, develop innovative enzyme solutions, or create valuable intellectual property and secure freedom to operate, the opportunities are yours to seize.
![]()
Combining a very diverse, proprietary metagenomic database with a powerful bioinformatics pipeline for targeted enzyme discovery empowers us and our clients to drive forward novel enzyme solutions.
- Director, Unit Head Enzyme Technology
We search for you in nature: We search specifically for our clients in natural habitats, which are carefully selected depending on the research question (rational bioprospecting), and integrate the collected metagenomic data into the MetXtraTM platform for discovery projects.
Tap into the power of our MetXtraTM platform: By combining our bioinformatics and AI tools with our highly diverse proprietary metagenomic database, we identify and deliver novel enzymes precisely tailored to your needs.
We take your production strains to the next level: We are happy to take on your existing production strain and optimize it quickly and precisely using our genome editing tool, CRISPR-BMC.
A licensing model for our CRISPR-BMC technology: We offer a licensing model for our CRISPR-BMC technology, enabling you, after onboarding and support from BRAIN Biotech experts, to operate the tool independently within your own facilities.
Innovate and gain your competitive advantage: With BRAIN Biotech’s novel enzyme solutions, you can create unique IP and secure freedom to operate - all supported by our transparent and flexible IP policy.
