DNA Script wins up to $26M ARPA-H grant to scale cell-free DNA production
What's the deal? DNA Script has been awarded up to $26 million by the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) for a four-year initiative to develop scalable cell-free DNA bioproduction. The grant supports the Flexible Automation for Scalable Health (FLASH) program, led by prime awardee GE HealthCareDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →.
What's the endgame? FLASH aims to build a modular, automated platform for rapid, distributed manufacturing of high-fidelity DNA. The technology targets future applications in personalised medicines, vaccines, and other genetic health technologies.
What's DNA Script's role? The French company is contributing its enzymatic DNA synthesis (EDS) technology and SYNTAX platform, and acting as technical solution integrator. It has adapted its system to incorporate GE HealthCare's proprietary DNA scaling technology, with the goal of eventually deploying the integrated platform across US medical research centres, universities, and federal agencies.
Why now? "As personalized and time-sensitive genetic medicines continue to advance, there is a growing need for manufacturing approaches that are faster, more flexible, and more accessible," said John Nelson, FLASH program lead at GE HealthCare's Technology and Innovation Center. Chief executive officer Marc Montserrat said the EDS platform is "ideally suited for the on-demand manufacturing model FLASH is pioneering."
The signal: At up to $26 million, this ranks among the largest grant rounds for a French health company, above the 96th percentile of 115 comparable deals over the past four years. It reflects growing government appetite for on-demand DNA manufacturing to shorten the path from research to patient.
Read more: infomeddnews.com
Image credit: U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Northeast Region
