The multi-year collaboration allows GSK to leverage Elegen’s cell-free synthetic DNA production technology, in exchange for up to $35m in near-term financial and development support and fees, in addition to sales of ENFINIA DNA and a potential equity investment
GSK, Elegen collaborate on cell-free DNA technology. (Credit: Warren Umoh on Unsplash)
UK-based GSK has teamed up with US-based biotechnology company Elegen to use Elegen’s cell-free DNA manufacturing technology for the development of its vaccines and medicines.
Under the terms of the collaboration and licensing agreement, GSK will pay upfront fees, and purchase Elegen’s ENFINIA DNA to support the development of medicines and vaccines.
Elegen will receive up to $35m in near-term financial and development support and fees.
The biotech company is also eligible for both near-term milestone payments for the development of new product features and a potential equity investment by GSK.
Elegen’s advanced cell-free DNA manufacturing technology represents a significant step forward in the production of the next generation of mRNA, cell, and gene therapies.
The collaboration with GSK follows the company’s Early Access Program launched in May last year, which offered DNA of longer length and higher complexity to select customers.
Elegen founder and CEO Matthew Hill said: “Over the past year dozens of customers, including multiple top 10 biopharma, have validated the unprecedented speed, length, accuracy and complexity of our cell-free DNA manufacturing technology.
“GSK recognises the importance of a reliable, turnkey supply of DNA for a variety of applications for which speed, accuracy and quality of DNA synthesis are essential.
“This collaboration will expand our offering to include the clinical production of genetic medicines potentially including mRNA, cell and viral gene therapies.”
Established in 2017, Elegen is a privately held biotech company led by professionals with decades of experience developing novel and scalable approaches.
The company leverages a unique microfluidics approach to build longer, higher-quality DNA on a faster timeline for agricultural, chemical, healthcare and pharma industries.
In March last year, Elegen commercially rolled out ENFINIA DNA, which delivers NGS-verified, high-complexity, clonal-quality, linear DNA up to 7kb in as fast as seven business days.
Unlike traditional mRNA synthesis from linearised plasmid DNA, Elegen produces entirely cell-free DNA to offer a seamless transition from discovery to clinical scale-up under GMP.
Furthermore, Elegen brings unique insights and technical advancements to create high-quality synthetic DNA, enabling the next revolution in the life sciences.