DNA Script Secures $38.5M Series B Funding to Advance Template-Free Enzymatic DNA Synthesis for Precision Gene Editing

VCBeat (WeChat Official Account: vcbeat) learned from foreign media that French biotech company DNA Script has recently completed a $38.5 million Series B financing round. The funds from this round will be used to support the company in advancing its DNA technology research and optimizing genetic diagnosis and treatment methods in the healthcare industry.

It is reported that this round of financing was jointly invested by Illumina Ventures, M Ventures, Sofinnova Partners, Kurma Partners, and others.

DNA Script, founded in 2014 and headquartered in Paris, France, is a biotechnology company specializing in the manufacture of synthetic DNA using its proprietary template-free enzymatic technology.

DNA Script technology overcomes the current inefficiencies in synthetic DNA production, leveraging genomic technologies such as oligonucleotides, genes, and pathways to achieve low-cost, high-efficiency, high-quality, and high-throughput production of synthetic DNA.

Template-free enzyme technology is the company’s proprietary technology. After researchers deliver biological enzymes into the human body, the enzymes reach the target genome. Upon recognizing the genomic sequence and structure, the enzymes guide DNA to self-replicate fragments beneficial to the human body, thereby helping maintain health.

Template-free enzyme technology offers the following advantages: (1) Reduced harm to the human body: This technology utilizes biological enzymes to guide gene self-replication without pharmacological intervention in the replication process, thereby minimizing drug-induced damage to the body; (2) Enhanced precision: The high fidelity of gene self-replication addresses the limitations associated with previous drug-stimulated gene replication methods; (3) Rapid and efficient: Biological enzymes can quickly locate target genes, resulting in a rapid onset of action and favorable outcomes in clinical trials.

Thomas Ybert, CEO and Co-Founder of DNA Script, stated, “Over the two years since our last funding round, our team has developed enzymatic synthesis technology at a remarkable pace and expanded the company’s market share in this field. Currently, our average DNA coupling efficiency is comparable to the best organic chemistry processes used today. We are grateful for the support from our new investors. We will use the funds from this round to further advance the R&D of DNA synthesis technology and accelerate its commercial application.”

Illumina Ventures, established in 2016 and headquartered in California, USA, is a venture capital firm focused on early-stage investments in startups within the genomics research sector. It has completed 20 investments to date.

M Ventures, founded in 2017 and headquartered in California, USA, is a venture capital firm focused on investing in the early-stage development of startups, having completed 70 investments to date.

Sofinnova Partners is a venture capital firm based in Paris, France. Established in 1972, the firm focuses on investing in companies within the biopharmaceutical, medical device, and biotechnology sectors, with a primary emphasis on the European region. To date, it has invested in 500 companies at various stages of development and manages $1.1 billion in assets.

Kurma Partners, a venture capital firm headquartered in Paris and founded in 2009, focuses on investing in startups in the healthcare and biotechnology sectors. It has completed 49 investments to date, with a total investment volume of €16 million.

(Compiled by Liu Yujing)