Arbor Acquires Gene Editing Biotech Serendipity

Rare Daily Staff

Genetic medicines biotech Arbor Biotechnologies acquired gene-editing biotech Serendipity Biosciences, bolstering Arbor’s toolbox of novel, next-generation editors and expanding potential therapeutic applications in reverse transcriptase-based editing and insertion of large regions of DNA.

“At Arbor, we are dedicated to developing a range of small gene editing tools that enable treatment for potentially any genetic disease using any tissue specific delivery modality, including AAV. Our primary focus is on developing novel therapies for indications in the liver and CNS with significant unmet need while partnering in other areas,” said Devyn Smith, CEO of Arbor Biotechnologies.

Serendipity’s novel editing technologies were discovered in the lab of leading gene editing researcher and Arbor Biotechnologies co-founder, Feng Zhang, of the McGovern Institute for Brain Research at MIT and the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard. The innovative assets, which include Fanzor-based, IsrB-based, and additional undisclosed programmable editing technologies, which complement and expand Arbor’s existing editing capabilities.

The addition of these newly discovered nuclease technologies offers opportunities to add new therapeutic applications for Arbor’s portfolio of genomic medicines. The technologies build on the potential of CRISPR-Cas approaches by harnessing next-generation components to enhance Arbor’s RT (reverse transcriptase) editing and insertion of exons or entire genes in vivo (both all RNA-based and DNA-donor based approaches) through unique cutting properties (e.g., natural nickases), expanded genomic targeting, and smaller sizes (<500 amino acids) that enable delivery through adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors and other size constrained delivery vehicles. Financial details were not disclosed.

Photo: Devyn Smith, CEO of Arbor Biotechnologies