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  • Pages
  • Editions
01 Cover
02 Welcome Letter / Sections
03 Article & Interview Directory
04 Section 1: Introduction
05 Introduction to US Life Sciences
06 Janssen Pharmaceuticals Interview
07 Investment Climate
08 MPM Capital Interview
09 Signet Healthcare Partners Interview
10 Xontogeny Interview
11 Insights from EisnerAmper
12 The Life Sciences Regulatory Climate
13 Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC Interview
14 PhRMA Interview
15 PBOA Interview
16 Ernst & Young LLP Interview
17 LaVoieHealthScience Interview
18 Section 2: Introducing the Hubs
19 East Coast
20 BioNJ Interview
21 MassBio Interview
22 Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center Interview
23 West Coast
24 Biocom California Interview
25 QB3-Berkeley Interview
26 Section 3: Drug Discovery and Development
27 Therapeutic Fields On Fire
28 Insmed Interview
29 Mammoth Biosciences Interview
30 Innovations Enhancing the Patient Experience
31 Arcturus Therapeutics Interview
32 Karius Interview
33 Expert Insights: Targeted Therapeutics
34 First Wave BioPharma Interview
35 Aphios Corporation Interview
36 Section 4: Contract Manufacturing and Chemicals
37 A Shifting Landscape
38 Syngene International Interview
39 Cambrex Interview
40 Lubrizol Life Science Interview
41 Aenova Group Interview
42 Keeping Up With Demands
43 Cureline Interview
44 Interview: Murli Krishna Pharma
45 PsychoGenics Interview
46 Expert Insights: Innovative Technologies
47 AMPAC Fine Chemicals Interview
48 TCG Lifesciences Interview
49 CordenPharma Interview
50 Quotient Sciences Interview
51 A Post-Pandemic World
52 New Vision Pharmaceuticals Interview
53 Adare Pharma Solutions Interview
54 Ascendia Pharmaceuticals Interview
55 Chemicals Producers and Distributors
56 Brenntag North America Interview
57 BASF Pharma Solutions Interview
58 Section 5: Technology Services
59 Life Sciences Go Digital
60 RxS Interview
61 Insights from Markem-Imaje
62 AiCure Interview
63 WhizAI Interview
64 Section 6: Company Profiles
65 Brenntag Company Profile
66 Adare Pharma Solutions Company Profile
67 Quotient Sciences Company Profile
68 SK pharmteco Company Profile
69 AiCure Company Profile
70 Markem-Imaje Company Profile
71 TCG Lifesciences Company Profile
72 Murli Krishna Pharma Company Profile
73 Credits

Trevor Martin, Co-Founder & CEO,

MAMMOTH BIOSCIENCES

"Ultimately, we aim to fine-tune this foundational technology that can be applied to innumerable challenges across a variety of industries, making biology become more like software and programming."

What prompted Mammoth Biosciences’ entry into the diagnostic and therapeutic space?

We are excited about augmenting the toolbox of CRISPR proteins beyond the initial systems like Cas9 for several reasons. First, we see potential for new products that can be built with the properties of these proteins, as evidenced in our pioneering work with CRISPR-based diagnostics. Second, we believe we can unlock new iterations of pre-existing therapeutic ideas through our pioneering of ultra-small CRISPR systems. These are systems that are physically smaller than the Cas9 and have important delivery implications to enable potentially new in vivo therapies.

What are the benefits of Cas14 and CasΦ nucleases over Cas9 when it comes to genome editing?

These systems are smaller, which allows for novel methods of delivery. We can start to achieve some of the holy grails of editing, like looking for permanent cures rather than just treatments. They also have a better targeting range. This is because CRISPR proteins have PAM sequences that limit where the individual protein can go. By having a more diverse PAM sequence the protein can go to more regions in the genome, which is particularly transformative when you want to make multiple edits on the same protein.

What are the mechanics of your CRISPR-based high throughput Covid test, and how does it compare to a PCR test?

Fundamentally, the test leverages the idea of CRISPR as a search engine for biology. One can program CRISPR proteins with a guide RNA, which is a molecule that directs the search for a specific sequence, such as a gene that you want to edit to cure or treat a disease. For example, the sequence can be unique to a particular Covid variant and, once programmed, CRISPR will use its built-in scissors to edit the genes. In the case of diagnostics, these molecular scissors can also be used to read-out and amplify a test’s signal. This diagnostic technology works like a molecular shredder on a sample by cleaving tons of single-stranded nucleic acid when the Cas enzyme binds to the sequence its been programmed to identify, which, as a result, strengthens the test’s signal. This ability to detect nucleic acids renders it a molecular test with a degree of sensitivity and specificity that rivals more standard tests like the PCR.

How long had Mammoth worked on developing this test before FDA approval, and how will it help pandemic relief efforts moving forward?

We began working on CRISPR-based diagnostics when the company was founded and have continued to leverage the fundamental work done previously at Berkeley in our co-founders’ lab. While it was impossible to have foreseen Covid as a specific target, we always believed in the accessibility of testing for infectious diseases. Hence, leveraging the technology to address the pandemic was a natural progression, evidenced by how quickly we published the first available data of a CRISPR-based test for Covid.

The impact on Covid testing and future pandemics will be substantial given the wide spectrum of accessibility the technology affords. CRISPR-based diagnostics are also advantageous because one can create new tests relatively quickly to combat new variants. This is a brand new testing technique that we hope will become foundational towards fighting future pandemics.

How does CRISPR technology democratize access to diagnostic testing?

CRISPR increases accessibility across the whole spectrum of testing, from the lab to the doctor's office. This should extend to patient testing at home in the long term, which is an area that has been highlighted throughout the pandemic. One of the things we’re excited about with CRISPR diagnostics is being able to provide tests that are both accurate, like a PCR test, and accessible, like an antigen or antibody test, with the goal of providing a product that is both affordable and easy to use.

Looking forward, how does Mammoth plan to evolve?

Our primary goal is to continue to develop the CRISPR toolbox and advance the technology from a diagnostic and therapeutic standpoint, making an impact by leveraging CRISPR technology with our network of partners. What will be exciting over the next few years is continuing to advance CRISPR’s capabilities to patients, in both diagnostics and therapeutics. Ultimately, we aim to fine tune this foundational technology that can be applied to innumerable challenges across a variety of industries, making biology become more like software and programming.

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Article: Innovations Enhancing the Patient Experience