• The partnership aims to co-develop technologies set to revolutionize
manufacturing of plasmid DNA (pDNA), a critical raw material for
advanced medicines
• Focus on innovative workflows for antibiotic-free pDNA
manufacturing and difficult-to-manufacture sequences
• Joint solutions promise better scalability, efficiency and cost-effectiveness
in production
Munich/Tartu – Wacker Chemie AG and Gearbox Biosciences announced a
strategic collaboration today. Gearbox Biosciences, based in Estonia, are
pioneers in the antibiotic-free microbial production of biologics. This partnership
aims to co-develop technologies that will revolutionize the manufacturing of
pDNA, the critical starting material for advanced mRNA therapies and vaccines,
gene or gene-modified cell therapies, as well as vector-delivered therapies.
High-quality pDNA serves as a foundational source of genetic information in the
development of life-saving therapies, yet current manufacturing processes face
challenges in terms of scalability, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. By combining
WACKER’s expertise in GMP manufacturing of biologics, including pDNA, with
Gearbox Bioscience’s innovative solutions for antibiotic-free plasmid proliferation,
this collaboration seeks to address these challenges while aiming to set new
industry standards.
“We are thrilled to partner with Gearbox Biosciences to accelerate the
development of next-generation plasmid DNA manufacturing technologies,” said
Ralph Krafczyk, nucleic acids expert at WACKER R&D. “This collaboration
underscores our commitment to continuously enhance our proprietary
PLASMITEC® toolbox in order to provide even greater benefits to our clients, who
develop cutting edge therapies that are aimed at improving the life of patients
worldwide.”
WACKER previously developed an antibiotic-free system for recombinant
pharmaceutical protein, leveraging its ESETEC® (E. coli secretion technology)
platform. The joint effort with GEA will focus on innovative workflows for antibiotic-free
plasmid DNA manufacturing and difficult-to-produce pDNA products. By
leveraging the complementary strengths of both partners, the collaboration is
focused on delivering solutions that are more sustainable than current
technologies, while also providing superior quality and reduced timelines.
“We are excited to collaborate with WACKER to bring newly developed
technology from the lab to industrial scale,” said Arvi Jõers, co-founder and CEO
of Gearbox Biosciences. “Our proprietary Pop-Out-Plasmid® technology is already
in use in antibiotic-free protein production and now we are applying it to plasmid
production as well. Eliminating the risk of spreading antibiotic resistance through
pDNA is a great relief for regulatory agencies and society.”
The collaboration is already underway, with initial milestones including the
evaluation of Gearbox Biosciences innovative Pop-Out-Plasmid® technology
within the PLASMITEC® toolbox. Both partners are committed to fostering a
culture of innovation and collaboration, with the shared goal of advancing the field
of biologics manufacturing to improve the accessibility of raw materials for the
development and application of next-generation therapies, and to facilitate clinical
translation from bench to bedside. The recently opened WACKER Biotechnology
Center at WACKER’s central research and development site in Munich offers
excellent conditions for this project.
About Wacker Chemie AG
WACKER is a global company with state-of-the-art specialty chemical products
found in countless everyday items, ranging from tile adhesives to computer chips.
The company has a global network of 27 production sites, 21 technical
competence centers and 46 sales offices. With around 16,600 employees,
WACKER generated annual sales of around €5.7 billion in fiscal 2024.
WACKER operates through four business divisions. The Silicones and Polymers
chemical divisions supply products (silicones, polymeric binders) for the
automotive, construction, chemical, consumer goods and medical technology
industries. Biosolutions, the life sciences division, specializes in bioengineered
products such as biopharmaceuticals and food additives. Polysilicon produces
hyperpure polysilicon for the semiconductor and photovoltaic industries.
For more information on WACKER’s biotechnology business go to:
www.wacker.com/biologics
About Gearbox Biosciences
Gearbox Biosciences is a start-up company from Tartu, Estonia. The company
has developed a proprietary Pop-Out-Plasmid technology for antibiotic-free
protein and plasmid production. This technology can eliminate antibiotics from
bioproduction and curb the spread of antibiotic resistance in the environment.
Gearbox Biosciences operates by licensing out the Pop-Out-Plasmid technology
to its partners, who then use it to produce proteins or plasmids. In addition to
being antibiotic-free, Pop-Out-Plasmid technology offers increased strain stability
and inducer-free induction of protein production.
For more information on Gearbox Biosciences and Pop-Out-Plasmid technology
go to: www.gearbox.bio