DNA synthesis specialist DNA Script has announced that it, along with GE HealthCare, has been awarded up to $26m for a four-year initiative by the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H).
The firm said the funding will go towards supporting its Flexible Automation for Scalable Health (FLASH) programme, which develops scalable DNA manufacturing using cell-free bioproduction.
The programme, led by GE Healthcare, is powered in part by DNA Script's enzymatic DNA synthesis (EDS) technology and SYNTAX platform.
DNA Script said that it had adapted its EDS technology for the project to incorporate GE HealthCare's proprietary DNA scaling technology.
The pair said they are aiming to create a modular, automated platform for fast, distributed manufacturing of high-fidelity DNA to support research and potential future applications in personalised medicines, vaccines and other genetic health technologies.
They added that the goal will be to eventually deploy the integrated platform across US medical research centres, universities and federal agencies.
John Schiel, Programme Manager, ARPA-H, said: “ARPA-H solutions are designed to address hard problems with bold, practical approaches."
Projects [such as] FLASH exemplify how scalable, platform-based technologies can transform the way health solutions are developed, produced and delivered.
Marc Montserrat, CEO, DNA Script, added: “Our enzymatic DNA synthesis platform is ideally suited for the on-demand manufacturing model FLASH is pioneering."
Collaborating with GE HealthCare on an ARPA-H programme of this scale shortens the path from research bench to patient bedside for next-generation therapies, personalised vaccines and the broader genetic-medicine pipeline.
John Nelson, Senior Biosciences Principal and FLASH programme lead, GE HealthCare’s Healthcare Technology and Innovation Center, commented: “GE HealthCare’s Technology & Innovation Center drives exploratory and translational research focused on addressing healthcare challenges through federal funding, academic collaboration and private-sector research and development."
As personalised and time-sensitive genetic medicines continue to advance, there is a growing need for manufacturing approaches that are faster, more flexible and more accessible.
"Our vision for the FLASH programme is to develop new DNA-based medicines on demand quickly, safely and at scale.”
