Successful Genome Editing in Mammalian Cells with BRAIN-Metagenome-Cas (BMC), BRAIN-Engineered-Cas (BEC)
• Major milestone achieved: genome-editing in mammalian cell lines
• Potential to target very large addressable markets
• BEC, BMC well suited for different application fields
BRAIN Biotech AG has achieved a major milestone successfully demonstrating genome editing in mammalian cell lines with its proprietary CRISPR-Cas genome editing nucleases BRAIN-Metagenome-Cas (BMC), BRAIN-Engineered-Cas (BEC). This is expected to pave the way to potentially employ BRAIN’s genome editing technology in very large addressable markets such as animal livestock, cell line development, pharmacology and therapeutics. The company will continue to develop this technology jointly with partners for a magnitude of end markets and applications.
These BRAIN-developed genome-editing nucleases are already today successfully employed in customer projects within the BioScience division and are utilized for the optimization of highly efficient microbial producer strains which power the biological production in so called microbial cell factories. Together with partners this proprietary genome editing nucleases are currently advanced for applications in agriculture, pharmaceutical cell lines, marine applications and industrial producer strains.
BRAIN-Engineered-Cas (BEC) and BRAIN-Metagenome-Cas (BMC) are different types of nucleases which differ in their general protein structure and their mode of action to target DNA. Hence, they can address different markets and applications most effectively. In July 2021 BRAIN had announced the identification of around 2,000 so far untapped additional Class 2 CRISPR nucleases which have been identified in-silico and have the potential to be deployed for genome editing. BEC and BMC are the lead nucleases which are currently developed for genome editing in several applications.
The Head of R&D at BRAIN Biotech, Dr. Michael Krohn, shares his excitement: “I really have to thank our scientific team for achieving this very important milestone. The dedication and speed by the team to drive forward scientific breakthroughs makes me really optimistic also for the next development steps. Genome-Engineering is widely regarded as one of the most influential technologies of this century for advanced healthcare, nutrition and sustainable production. To take an active part in this revolution greatly motivates the entire team and creates significant partnership and business opportunities. We will not only continue to build our portfolio of genome-editing nucleases and broaden the space of application but also invest in RNP target cell delivery systems and consumables to allow customers a convenient application of our technology.”
Chief Financial Officer Lukas Linnig emphasized with a view to the economic potential: “From the very beginning we have stated that the BEC/BMC technology has the potential to become transformational for BRAIN and its stakeholders. Today we already employ our proprietary genome editing technology within our BioScience unit having generated a unique selling point for our scientific services to industrial partners. In addition, we create milestone and royalty upside for our contract research and producer strain business. With the activation in and editing of mammalian cell lines we will now open up an entirely new chapter. The largest addressable markets are pharmacology and therapeutics. We can now jointly develop solutions and products together with partners for these very attractive end markets. In order to grant our proprietary genome-editing technology the maximum scientific attention and the financial means to grow significantly, we will push ahead and create a separate legal entity during the coming months.”
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.