Molecular Assemblies Expands Patent Portfolio in Enzymatic DNA Synthesis

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Sep 18, 2018, 09:11 ET

SAN DIEGO, Sept. 18, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Molecular Assemblies, Inc. today announced the recent award of three patents, bringing the total to eight issued patents protecting the company's proprietary enzymatic DNA synthesis technology in the United States and Europe. The three issued patents are EP 3115462, US 10,041,110, and US 10,059,929.

Synthetic DNA is used in a wide range of applications, including life science research, biologic therapeutics, data storage, nanotechnology and industrial processes (including agriculture, plastics, fermentation, and even leather production). However, its full potential has not been realized due to the cumbersome process of chemical DNA synthesis. The three-decade-old method for synthesizing DNA is inherently limited to short DNA sequences, it requires extensive post-synthesis processing and uses hazardous chemicals. In contrast, Molecular Assemblies enzymatic DNA synthesis delivers higher purity, can scale to longer DNA sequences, uses aqueous, non-toxic reagents, and does not require purification and processing.

"We believe these patents provide Molecular Assemblies substantial coverage of enzymatic DNA synthesis, which overcomes huge bottlenecks for cost-effective, sustainable, and scalable DNA manufacturing," said Michael J. Kamdar, President and CEO of Molecular Assemblies. "We are optimistic that the true potential of DNA can now be unleashed, to become the industrial polymer of the 21st century."

Scientists at Molecular Assemblies have pioneered a novel, two-step enzymatic DNA synthesis method. It is performed in a water-based solution, eliminating many post-synthesis processing steps and reducing toxic chemical use. In addition, the patents cover a modified enzyme that has increased capabilities relative to the wild type protein. Molecular Assemblies' enzymatic approach is designed to reliably, affordably, and sustainably produce long, high quality DNA.

"When we looked at the field of DNA synthesis, we saw that it had not changed substantially in more than thirty years, and the lack of innovation in DNA synthesis was substantially hindering many industries," said Bill Efcavitch, Ph.D., Co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Molecular Assemblies. "With enzymatic DNA synthesis, we hope to open the floodgates and work with innovators across industries to find new and better ways to use DNA to improve our world."

Michael J. Kamdar, President and CEO, is participating on a panel titled, "The future of DNA synthesis," on October 3 at 5:20 pm at SynBioBeta 2018: The Global Synthetic Biology Summit in San Francisco.

About Molecular Assemblies

Molecular Assemblies, Inc. is a private biotech company developing an enzymatic DNA synthesis technology designed to power the next generation of DNA-based products. The company's patented enzymatic method, based on making DNA the way nature makes DNA, produces long, high quality, sequence-specific DNA reliably, affordably, and sustainably. Molecular Assemblies' technology will enable the reading and writing of DNA for industries including industrial synthetic biology and precision medicine, as well as emerging applications of DNA for data information storage, nanomachines, and bio-based electronics. Molecular Assemblies is headquartered in San Diego. For more information please visit www.molecularassemblies.com.

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SOURCE Molecular Assemblies, Inc.