Molecular Assemblies, Inc. (MAI), a pioneer in enzymatic DNA synthesis, has achieved significant milestones in the DARPA NOW project, a program aimed at enabling on-demand production of DNA-based vaccines and therapeutics. The company’s proprietary Fully Enzymatic Synthesis (FES) technology has played a key role in the project’s success, leading to an additional $4 million grant from DARPA to support further development and technology transfer.
The DARPA NOW project, led by GE HealthCare’s Technology and Innovation Center, aims to create a rapid, mobile platform for producing DNA-based vaccines and therapeutics. This platform is essential for quickly responding to pandemic outbreaks and bio-threats, potentially saving lives and mitigating global health emergencies.
Molecular Assemblies’ FES technology, which uses aqueous, non-toxic reagents, produces high-quality, sequence-specific DNA on-demand. This technology is crucial for the project’s goal of manufacturing accurate and effective vaccines and therapeutics. The company’s focus on developing sequence design software, gene synthesis methods, and automation platforms will further enhance the project’s capabilities.
“This new funding for the DARPA NOW project to support additional technology development is another validation of Molecular Assemblies’ proprietary Fully Enzymatic Synthesis technology and our dedicated and talented team,” said Larry Stambaugh, Board Chair of Molecular Assemblies. “We look forward to advancing our technology as we drive the field forward, leading commercial development.”
The company’s FES technology is also making significant contributions to other areas of biotechnology research. Molecular Assemblies is now offering access to long, custom, and highly complex oligonucleotides synthesized with its FES technology, enabling customers to accelerate research in CRISPR gene editing, molecular cloning, gene assembly, and NGS probes and controls.
Molecular Assemblies’ commitment to innovation and its success in the DARPA NOW project are crucial steps in the development of on-demand vaccine manufacturing. The company’s FES technology is poised to revolutionize the way DNA-based products are developed and delivered, paving the way for a future with faster and more effective responses to global health challenges.
