Capital Markets Day BRAIN Biotech AG: Focus on BEC Technology and its Transformational Potential
- Significant economic value potential for BRAIN
- BEC already today a viable alternative in industrial biotechnology
- Additional fields of application for BEC in development
The biotechnology group BRAIN Biotech AG informed investors about important developments in the company as part of a "Capital Markets Day". The focus was on BEC technology and its potential for the company.
BRAIN Biotech sees significant commercial potential in its proprietary genome editing technology, BRAIN Engineered CAS (BEC). This technology platform has good prospects to contribute to dynamic revenue growth in the service business (TMS) as a "We CRISPR for you" service. In addition, BEC will accelerate proprietary developments from BRAIN’s incubator, be used to develop highly efficient microbiological production strains, and offer the opportunity to build-up a lucrative licensing business.
Given the importance of BEC for the development of the company, the first step will be to create a flexible unit within BRAIN Biotech AG that will focus exclusively on the further development and partnering of this genome editing technology. In a second step, the technology will be carved out into a separate company. This will allow for maximum agility in research and enable flexible financing alternatives along the expansion path on the range of applications.
Lukas Linnig, CFO BRAIN Biotech AG, states: „The BEC technology is based on a proprietary CRISPR-Cas9-independent nuclease and can be employed for precise genome editing. With this proprietary development, BRAIN achieves freedom to operate from existing patents and can therefore use this technology cost-effectively for its own developments as well as aim to develop a profitable licensing business. In addition, we use BEC in service activities for our customers. Our proprietary genome editing nuclease enables BRAIN to actively participate in a market with strong growth and great influence on a sustainable biology based industrial production.”
Looking for additional strategic cooperation partners
In addition to the exclusive partnership for the use of the BEC technology in plants and the development in the field of life sciences announced in July together with Sartorius, BRAIN Biotech is actively striving for a partnering strategy in order to develop new fields of application, such as health care or diagnostics. Adriaan Moelker, CEO of BRAIN Biotech AG, says: "Strong partners are essential for us to quickly and purposefully introduce new applications and products to the market which are based on our BEC. We will carefully consider when to partner to ensure that all of BRAIN’s stakeholders can participate in BEC’s economic potential to the full extend.”
CRISPR-Cas genome editing nucleases can be used to modify genetic material in cells by specifically altering genes and inserting them into the genome or removing them altogether. Scientists use this biotechnological gene-editing process to make plants more resistant to pests or drought, for example, or to produce biological fuels. In biopharmaceuticals, gene scissors can lead to new therapies and improve the chances of curing a wide range of diseases such as cancer, neurodegenerative or hereditary diseases. Genome editing also has a wide range of applications in industrial biotechnology. Industry and academia alike are benefiting from an increasing variety of available genome editing tools.
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About BRAIN
BRAIN Biotech AG is a leading European supplier of bio-based products and solutions such as enzymes and proteins, microbial production strains, natural compounds and biotechnological solutions for more sustainable industrial processes. The company focuses on the fields of nutrition, health and environment.
BRAIN Biotech AG is the parent company of the international BRAIN Biotech Group. The Group's business activities are divided into three segments: The BioProducts segment comprises the product business with specialty enzymes and other proteins, for which the Group operates fermentation facilities in the United Kingdom and production facilities in continental Europe and the United States. The BioScience segment offers research-intensive custom solutions based on enzyme technology, strain development, bioprocess development and natural product screening. The BioIncubator segment conducts its own R&D projects or those initiated with partners with high value-added potential. A particularly promising incubator project is the development of the Company's own CRISPR-based gene editing technology platform, which is currently being established and expanded by Akribion Genomics (in foundation planning).
Through its own R&D activities, BRAIN Biotech Group is continuously expanding its product portfolio in the field of specialty enzymes and small molecules. The latter are the starting point for screenings, e.g. for novel drug candidates for pharmaceutical applications.
BRAIN Biotech AG has been listed on the Prime Standard of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange since February 9, 2016 (ticker symbol: BNN; securities identification number: ISIN DE0005203947 / WKN 520394). The company employs approximately 330 people and generated revenues of EUR 55,3 million in the fiscal year 2022/23.
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Disclaimer
This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements reflect the current views, expectations, and assumptions of the management of BRAIN Biotech AG, and are based on information currently available to the management. Forward-looking statements are no guarantees of future performance, and entail both known and unknown risks as well as uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. Numerous factors exist that could influence the future performance of and future developments at BRAIN Biotech AG and the BRAIN Biotech Group. Such factors include, but are not limited to, changes in the general economic and competitive environment, risks associated with capital markets, currency exchange rate fluctuations, changes in international and national laws and regulations, in particular with respect to tax laws and regulations, as well as other factors. BRAIN Biotech AG does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements.