Constructive Bio secures exclusive licence to LMB’s tRNA display
Constructive Bio has secured the exclusive licence to groundbreaking ‘tRNA Display’ technology from the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology.
Innovations from the MRC such as tRNA Display technology have been instrumental in driving economic growth. MRC-funded research has led to spin-out companies valued at £6.1billion, creating more than 3,800 jobs and drawing in £10.2bn of external investment.
tRNA Display technology revolutionises protein engineering by enabling the rapid and accurate selection of enzymes (tRNA synthetases) that are critical for the seamless integration of non-canonical amino acids into proteins and peptides. The new method can be used to discover enzymes capable of incorporating novel monomers, as well as enzymes that significantly enhance manufacturing yields.
The methodology allows for the creation of next-generation therapeutics with enhanced properties, at scale and speed. With full control of the genetic sequence and code, Constructive Bio is exploring chemical space previously unreached by natural biology.
Constructive Bio, based at The Recodery, will deploy this transformative technology to accelerate the development and scalable biomanufacturing of next-generation therapeutics, such as precision-targeted medicines. The commercial potential extends beyond medicine development and discovery, with future applications in agriculture and high-tech materials, offering bio-based alternatives to traditional manufacturing processes.
“This platform is a game-changer,” said Ola Wlodek, CEO of Constructive Bio, which is based at Lion Works in Whittlesford. “We are developing a faster and more effective engineering framework for biology itself – systematically transforming how we design functional biomolecules from the very start.
“The tRNA Display technology is a robust and scalable tool that unlocks the vast potential of biology, enabling the creation of novel therapeutic proteins and peptides with unprecedented possibilities and new-to-nature features.”
Dr Jan Löwe, director of the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB), said: “At the LMB we are extremely proud to have supported Jason’s ground-breaking research in artificial biology. Being able to make biology-inspired molecules with new chemistries is an important milestone and the new work makes this much easier.
“Transferring the knowledge to Constructive Bio, one of the LMB’s spin-out companies, will enable maximum societal benefits, as soon as possible.”
Professor Jason Chin, founder and chief scientific officer of Constructive Bio, said: “tRNA display overcomes a massive barrier in protein engineering by enabling the rapid selection and integration of new-to-nature building blocks into proteins and peptides.
“This advance was made possible by exceptional and innovative scientists and long term support at the LMB.
“This development unlocks unprecedented possibilities in drug discovery and development by expanding the chemical scope of the genetic code.”
Constructive Bio was founded in 2021: last year’s $58m raise also saw Sir Greg Winter join the board.