PARIS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Synthetic DNA manufacturer DNA Script has today announced a Series A fundraising of 11 million euros ($13 million) led by Illumina Ventures with additional investments from M Ventures, the corporate venture arm of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, plus existing investors Sofinnova Partners, Kurma Partners, and Idinvest Partners.
DNA Script is an industry leader in the manufacture of de novo synthetic nucleic acids using proprietary enzymatic technology. This latest fundraising round will allow DNA Script to strengthen its unique enzymatic technology and nucleotide chemistry platform in order to manufacture high quality oligonucleotides faster and more affordably than current market standards.
As the field of genomics experiences rapid growth, new genome editing technologies are introduced, and research into life sciences is increasing steadily – the demand for synthetic nucleic acids has expanded, but is not always met. For the past 50 years, synthetic DNA has been manufactured through a complex chemical process with limitations in terms of quality, turn-around time, and manufacturing flexibility. In contrast, DNA Script introduces a novel biochemical process for DNA and RNA synthesis based on the use of highly efficient enzymes. This technology mimics the way nature produces genetic code and enables enhanced performance while minimizing the use of harsh chemicals.
“We are pleased to attract preeminent investors to our Series A round, which will allow us to further accelerate our R&D plan and technology scale-up,” stated Thomas Ybert, PhD, DNA Script Co-founder and CEO. “Our new process broadly enables new applications for synthetic DNA and RNA in drug discovery and development, industrial and food technologies, and DNA data storage. By applying high-quality oligo synthesis, we believe we can dramatically improve de novo nucleic acid synthesis performance compared to current technologies.”
Nick Naclerio, Founding Partner of Illumina Ventures and new board member at DNA Script, commented: “We are thrilled to support the team at DNA Script and to be joined by such a strong syndicate of investors. Advancements in DNA synthesis have not kept pace with progress in DNA sequencing and molecular biology. DNA Script has the potential to set a new standard for how DNA is made and accelerate the adoption of synthetic biology across diverse disciplines.”
About DNA Script
Founded in 2014 in Paris, DNA Script is the world’s leading company in manufacturing de novo synthetic nucleic acids using an enzymatic technology. The company aims at accelerating innovation in life sciences and technology through rapid, affordable, and high-quality DNA synthesis. DNA Script’s approach leverages nature’s billions of years of evolution in synthesizing DNA to enable genome scale synthesis. The Company’s technology has the potential to greatly accelerate the development of new therapeutics, sustainable chemicals production, improved crops as well as data storage.
www.dnascript.co
About Illumina Ventures
www.illuminaventures.com
About Merck Ventures BV
www.m-ventures.com
About Sofinnova Partners
www.sofinnova.fr
About Kurma Partners
www.kurmapartners.fr
About Idinvest Partners
www.idinvestpartners.com
Contacts
Press contact in the US
Burns McClellan
Justin Jackson
212-213-0006, ext. 327
jjackson@burnsmc.com
or
Press contacts in Europe
ALIZE RP
Caroline Carmagnol and Margaux Pronost
06 64 18 99 59 / 01 44 54 36 65
DNASCRIPT@alizerp.com
or
DNA Script Contact
Sylvain Gariel, COO
sg@dnascript.co