Genovis acquires IP rights to DNA copying enzyme developed at Uppsala University
Life science company Genovis has acquired the patent rights to Sloppymerase, an artificial enzyme developed at Lab Söderberg at Uppsala University's Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences. "We aim to pave new ways for both molecular biology research and cancer therapies," says Ola Söderberg, Professor of Pharmaceutical cell biology.
(Image removed) Professor Ola Söderberg and PhD Student Leonie Wenson, the Faculty of Pharmacy
Genovis, based in Medicon Village and developer of enzymes for the life science industry, has announced their acquisition of the IP rights to Sloppymerase, an artificial DNA polymerase developed at Uppsala University's research environment in pharmaceutical cell biology. With the acquisition, Genovis will expand its customer offering to include enzymes in genomics.
(Image removed) Ola Söderberg, Professor of Pharmaceutical cell biology
“One of the most important tasks of proteins is to catalyse chemical reactions in their role as enzymes. Molecular biology methods often use naturally occurring enzymes, which comes with limitations. We have therefore developed Sloppymerase, an artificial DNA-copying enzyme which is extremely error-prone, thus enabling amazing possibilities in such areas as biotechnology and medical research,” says Ola Söderberg, Professor of Pharmaceutical cell biology.
Genovis, designer and provider of innovative tools for drug development, will with the acquisition receive exclusive rights to develop and commercialize products based on Sloppymerase. The company will next initiate collaborations with partners as part of the continued product development to prepare the commercialization of the enzyme.
(Image removed) "We are excited to have the opportunity to acquire the rights to a unique enzyme with potential uses in several applications within the life science field, from research to diagnostics and forensics. The acquisition follows our strategy to commercialize academic research into high-value products and broaden our offerings", says Fredrik Olsson, CEO of Genovis.
Ola Söderberg's research team will, in parallel and with funding from the Swedish Cancer Foundation, use Sloppymerase to develop a method to study the processes that lead to the emergence and progress of cancer.
“Damage to the DNA can occur as the result of radiation or toxic chemicals. If this damage is repaired incorrectly, the DNA can mutate and in turn cause cancer. Our ambition is to develop a method to determine where in the cell DNA damage occurs, and a system where the mutation rate can be accelerated in selected cells, enabling lab studies of how a normal cell develops into a cancer cell. With this, we hope to provide a clear picture of what happens when cancer cells occur, why some become more malignant and in some cases are not killed despite treatment – which might in the long run contribute to new and more effective treatments,” says Ola Söderberg.
FACTS
- The researchers at Uppsala University who have developed Sloppymerase are:
Ola Söderberg, Professor of Pharmaceutical cell biology
Leonie Wenson, PhD Student
Johan Heldin, Researcher
Björn Hellman, Professor of Toxicology
Erik Bivehed, PhD Student
LEARN MORE
- Genovis acquires IP Rights to novel enzymes for applications within genomics
- Research in Pharmaceutical cellbiology at Uppsala University
- Swedish Cancer Society allocates SEK 7 million to Sara Mangsbo, Ola Spjuth and Ola Söderberg
CONTACT
(Image removed) Ola Söderberg, Professor
Uppsala University
Ola.Soderberg@farmbio.uu.se
text: Magnus Alsne, photo: Mikael Wallerstedt
text: Magnus Alsne, foto: Mikael Wallerstedt