List of Gene Editing/CRISPR Companies in North Carolina - 11

AgBiomeis usingknowledge of the crop microbiome and an extensive network of field-sampling partners to build a proprietary microbial strain collection that is both diverse and large—larger, in fact, than the major public strain collections. Unlike many programs, which only use metagenomics surveys, the AgBiome platform is focused on true isolated microbial strains, which provideinsight into the genomic composition of crop-associated microbes. The company uses this collection as a resource for discovering new biologicals and trait genes.Existing microbial classification systems based on 16S rDNA sequences or other fingerprinting technologies are imprecise—microbes that are classified as ‘the same’ often differ by hundreds of genes. AgBiome uses proprietary algorithms based on whole genome sequence to classify organisms in their collection. This allows the company to measure the true diversity of plant-associated microbes at the gene level—and genes determine function and performance. The company has also applied our whole-genome methods to their straincollection.

CLAIRIgene is a preclinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on development gene therapies for neurodegenerative diseases. Founded by innovative scientists with decades of experience, CLAIRIgene is committed to rapidly advancing their therapeutics to the clinic.

Elo Life Systems is reimagining the future of food – focusing on ingredients that empower consumers to feel good about the food they eat every day. From unique plant-based sweeteners to saving crops like the banana from extinction, Elo harnesses the untapped potential of nature to make food tastier, healthier and resilient while requiring less from the planet.

The company is developing probiotics and enzymes that improve cattle health and digestive efficiency by eliminating methane.

Life Edit, an ElevateBio company, is a next-generation genome editing company that has built a highly innovative platform with one of the world's largest and most diverse collections of novel RNA-guided nucleases (RGNs) and base editors. The platform allows Life Edit to target any genomic sequence and develop novel human therapeutics for the most challenging genetic diseases by enabling ex vivo engineering for cell therapies and regenerative medicines and in vivo delivery of gene therapies. In addition to developing its own pipeline of cell and gene therapies, Life Edit Therapeutics will continue to strengthen its platform of genome-editing enzymes, provide gene-editing expertise to strategic partners, and form other third-party partnerships to discover and develop new therapies.

Next generation CRISPR technology for programmed cell death. Focused on developing therapies for infectious disease and the microbiome. Locus Biosciences’ novel approach to precision antimicrobials works by taking advantage of a part of an immune system present in many bacteria called the CRISPR-Cas system. The CRISPR-Cas system protects bacteria from invaders such as viruses by creating small strands of RNA called CRISPR RNAs, which match DNA sequences specific to a given invader. When the CRISPR RNAs find a match, they activate Cas proteins that cut the DNA.

Pairwise is a start-up food company that uses technology to break down the barriers that keep us from eating produce. At Pairwise, we are passionate about building a healthier world through better fruits and vegetables. Headquartered in Durham, NC, our team is made up of leaders in R&D, agriculture, and consumer products. Founded in 2017 and opened in 2018, Pairwise is working to deliver breakthrough innovation in agricultural sciences and in healthy consumer foods. Our team of proven leaders features Dr. Tom Adams, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr. Haven Baker, Chief Business Officer (CBO), and eminent scientists Drs. Feng Zhang, David Liu and J. Keith Joung serve as advisors.

Precision BioSciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: DTIL), is a clinical stage biotechnology company dedicated to improving life (DTIL) with its novel and proprietary ARCUS® genome editing platform. ARCUS is a highly specific and versatile genome editing platform designed with therapeutic safety, delivery, and control in mind. Using ARCUS, Precision is developing allogeneic CAR T and in vivo gene correction therapies for cancer and infectious diseases.

The company is working to improve the characteristeristics of trees.

The vast majority of human disease is governed by the epigenome, the subtle machinery that controls the volume of gene expression in cells. Tune Therapeutics is pioneering the creation of epi-therapeutic medicines with its powerful and precise epigenomic control platform, TEMPO. Unlike genome editing, TEMPO dials the volume of gene expression up or down towards healthy levels, without breaking or permanently rewriting DNA – and it can do this in multiple genes at once. This genetic tuning approach allows us to change cell fate and function at will, unlocking the ability to reverse pathways of cancer, genetic disease and aging. Our approach effectively expands the potential reach of genetic medicine – from targeting a limited range of rare conditions, to overcoming thousands of complex and chronic diseases that currently have no curative treatment.

The Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine is working to grow tissues and organs and develop healing cell therapies for more than 30 different areas of the body, from kidney and trachea to cartilage and lung.