Linkage Technologies and Genetics II

In the second edition, we look at groundbreaking biotech startups in cell and environmental research.

It focuses on cellular level research. Studying cellular structure, function, and activity helps explain molecular diseases such as cancer, metabolic problems, and neurodegenerative diseases.

Cell therapy manufacturing

We produce therapeutic cells for medical interventions at scale using efficient, established processes to deliver quality, safety, and scalability for clinical use.

longevity research

Integrating genetics, biology, and medicine, we study the molecular and cellular mechanisms of aging and develop interventions to promote healthy aging and prevent age-related diseases.

regenerative medicine

Addressing tissue engineering and cell transplantation can help treat injuries, degenerative diseases, and congenital malformations.

stem cell therapy

We study stem cells that can differentiate into various types of cells. Researchers use stem cells to treat neurological diseases and heart problems.

Cellares Corp. operates as an Integrated Development and Manufacturing Organization (IDMO) in the cell therapy manufacturing field. We specialize in accelerating access to cell therapies through integrated technologies and high-volume manufacturing of living medicines designed to meet patient needs by leveraging Industry 4.0 principles.

• sector: Pharmaceutical and healthcare

• headquarters: USA

• establish: 2019

• total funds: 355 million dollars

• latest funds: 255 million dollars

• latest series: Series C

• main products:

  • cell shuttle: Enables automated sample collection throughout the entire quality control process for both online and offline solutions.

  • Integrated Development and Manufacturing Organization (IDMO): IDMO Smart Factory uses cutting-edge technologies, including standardized hardware, software-defined manufacturing, and high-level automation for mass customization to produce more cell therapy batches each year.

• Recent updates:

  • November 2023: Partnered with Cabaletta Bio to evaluate automated manufacturing for CABA-201 Cabaletta’s CD19-CAR T cell therapy on the Cell Shuttle platform.

  • October 2023: Announced expanded agreement with Bristol Myers Squibb to include a second CAR-T program in Cellares’ Technology Adoption Partnership Program.

Operating in the sub-segment of cell therapy manufacturing, Forge Biologics specializes in developing treatments for rare genetic diseases. The company focuses on developing AAV gene therapies for its customers, guiding projects from research through clinical stages to commercial production.

• sector: Pharmaceutical and healthcare

• headquarters: USA

• establish: 2020

• total funds: 330 million dollars

• latest funds: 90 million dollars

• latest series: Series C

• main products:

  • AAV Manufacturing: We provide manufacturing and development services for gene therapy programs encompassing research into clinical and commercial manufacturing.

  • Plasmid DNA preparation: We provide research-grade GMP-Pathway and cGMP plasmid DNA manufacturing solutions integrated into our customers’ AAV production.

• Recent updates:

  • October 2023: Selected as AAV manufacturing partner for California Institute of Regenerative Medicine.

  • May 2023: Partnered with the Personalized Gene Therapy Consortium (BGTC) to accelerate development and manufacturing of AAV gene therapies for rare diseases.

Altos Research Institute is responsible for the subfield of longevity research. A biotechnology company focused on cell rejuvenation programming research. The company aims to improve cellular health and resilience to counteract disease, injury and organ failure. It was founded by a group of scientists, clinicians and experts from academia and industry with a common mission.

• sector: Pharmaceutical and healthcare

• headquarters: USA

• establish: 2021

• total funds: $3 billion

• latest funds: $3 billion

• latest series: unspecified

• main products: Cell regeneration programming research that studies disease reversal and anti-aging solutions with a focus on improving cellular health and long-term disease resilience.

• Recent updates:

Cellinobiotech operates in the regenerative medicine subdomain. The company offers an autologous cell therapy technology platform that integrates machine learning (ML) and laser technology, aiming to streamline cell therapy manufacturing and reduce cost and scalability constraints.

• sector: Pharmaceutical and healthcare

• headquarters: USA

• establish: 2017

• total funds: 100 million dollars

• latest funds: 80 million dollars

• latest series: Series A

• main products: Cure combines label-free imaging and laser editing with ML to automate cell reprogramming, expansion, and differentiation within a closed cassette design. This technology allows thousands of patient samples to be processed simultaneously within a single facility.

• Recent updates:

  • May 2023: Named winner in the “Scalable Solutions” category in the first Dash of the Agency for Advanced Study in Health (“ARPA-H”) to accelerate health outcomes.

  • March 2021: First review paper on autologous iPSC-based cell therapy published.

Acepodia specializes in stem cell-based immunotherapies to meet unmet medical needs in solid tumors and hematologic malignancies. The company is developing an innovative ACE treatment that strengthens the binding power of anticancer drugs by connecting tumor-targeting antibodies to the company’s own immune cells, such as natural killer cells (NK) and gamma delta T (γδ2) cells, using antibody cell conjugation (ACC) technology. tumor

• sector: Pharmaceutical and healthcare

• headquarters: USA

• establish: 2017

• total funds: 289 million dollars

• latest funds: 100 million dollars

• latest series: Series D

• main products: Acepodia’s products are based on the ACC platform technology and are designed to enhance cancer treatment through targeted efficacy, improved safety, and broad applicability across cancers. The company’s pipeline includes cell therapies that use γδ2 T cells and NK cells to fight cancer.

• Recent updates:

  • May 2023: Announced the first patient dosed in a Phase 1 clinical trial of ACE1831, an anti-CD20-armed allogeneic gamma delta T cell therapy for the treatment of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

  • June 2021: Published preclinical data for ACE1702, a novel off-the-shelf natural killer cell therapy for HER2-expressing solid tumors using antibody cell conjugation technology.

It integrates a variety of approaches to address ecological challenges, including bioremediation, waste-to-energy solutions, plastic alternatives, innovative wastewater treatment, and sustainable biomanufacturing.

biomanufacturing

It involves the use of biological processes to produce substances, chemicals or fuels. It focuses on using microorganisms and biological systems to replace traditional manufacturing methods, providing greener alternatives and reducing environmental impact.

biological remediation

Biological organisms, such as bacteria and plants, are utilized to mitigate and clean up environmental pollutants. This approach leverages the natural ability of living organisms to break down or neutralize pollutants and restore ecosystems affected by pollutants.

plastic alternative

We focus on developing materials that mimic the functions of existing plastics but are biodegradable or derived from renewable resources. It aims to reduce plastic pollution and promote sustainable practices in packaging and product manufacturing.

waste to energy

We are responsible for converting various types of waste, such as organic matter and municipal solid waste, into energy. It aims to provide an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional waste disposal methods while promoting sustainable energy production.

wastewater treatment

It focuses on cleaning up water polluted by industrial, agricultural, and urban pollutants. It utilizes technologies such as membrane bioreactors, UV disinfection, chemical coagulation and flocculation.

UBQ Materials operates in the subdomain of Plastic Alternatives. The company converts non-recyclable household waste into a sustainable thermoplastic alternative called UBQ. We aim to solve environmental problems by diverting waste from landfill, reducing carbon emissions and promoting a circular economy.

• headquarters: Israel

• establish: 2021

• total funds: 240 million dollars

• latest funds: 70 million dollars

• latest series: unspecified

• main products: TUBQ is a plastic alternative bio material that reduces plastic pollution by utilizing various wastes such as organic matter such as food waste and inorganic matter such as mixed plastic.

• Recent updates:

  • September 2023: Awarded the Supplier Partnership ‘Demonstrated Environmental Innovation in Manufacturing Processes’ in collaboration with automotive supplier ConMet and specialty formulator Polyram.

  • September 2023: McDonald’s expands its collaboration with UBQ Materials to integrate UBQ Materials into its building products.

ROM Bio is a company specializing in agricultural solutions to respond to climate change. It leverages microbial carbon capture technology to harness the power of endophytes to significantly increase and stabilize soil carbon in cropping systems. The company is focused on delivering meaningful climate action through agricultural sustainability.

• sector: Agriculture and Forestry

• headquarters: australia

• establish: 2019

• total funds: 103.1 million dollars

• latest funds: $73 million

• latest series: Series B

• main products:

  • carbon builder: It involves coating seeds with a fungal inoculant called CarbonBuilder before sowing to improve long-term soil health.

  • SecondCrop Carbon Project: Services to help farmers implement carbon farming practices, including registration, administration, land management strategies, and soil carbon measurement and verification.

Operating in the waste-to-energy sub-sector, WasteFuel focuses on converting waste into sustainable, low-carbon fuels such as aviation-grade biofuel and green methanol. The company develops technologies that improve low-carbon fuel yields and mitigate emissions associated with fuels.

• sector: Environmental and waste management services

• headquarters: USA

• establish: 2018

• total funds: $38.7 million

• latest funds: 10 million dollars

• latest series: Series B

• main products:

  • WasteFuel Methanol Module: Fuel grade methanol is produced using anaerobic digestion from various wastes such as landfill gas and biogas.

  • waste fuel marine: Renewable fuel solutions for the shipping sector.

• Recent updates:

  • June 2023: MoU signed with BP to improve biomethanol production efficiency, yield and economics.

  • November 2022: Announced partnership with waste management company Averda to develop commercial-scale methanol plant for renewable municipal waste.

Puraffinity is a green technology company specializing in the development of materials for environmental applications. We focus on creating custom technology platforms designed to remove highly challenging contaminants from contaminated water and wastewater.

• sector: chemistry

• headquarters: uk

• establish: 2015

• total funds: $17.5 million

• latest funds: $13.9 million

• latest series: Series A

• main products: A PFAS treatment platform that promotes surface modification of various substrates with a group of customized PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) friendly molecules and produces adsorbent materials to treat water contamination.

• Recent updates:

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