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NunaBio Announces NB-3, A Novel Solution for Synthetic DNA

By Press Release

NunaBio are thrilled to introduce NB-3, our ground-breaking solution for synthetic DNA manufacture. NB-3 is designed to rapidly synthesize long, complex DNA sequences at mg-scale, setting a new standard in the field of synthetic biology.

Key Highlights of NB-3:

  • Rapid Production: NB-3 can produce an impressive 40mg of linear DNA in just 80 minutes per batch. This speed is unmatched, allowing for quick turnaround times and increased productivity.
  • Scalability: Our solution can scale up double-stranded linear sequences from 15bp to 1kb, including a 150bp polyA tail. This flexibility ensures that NB-3 can meet a wide range of synthetic DNA needs.
  • Minimal Starting Material: With NB-3, you only need nanograms of DNA as starting material. The regenerative reaction process means that subsequent iterations can use a continuous process, potentially running 24/7 without interruption.
  • Efficiency: Featuring single-use parts, NB-3 allows for a swift 20-minute changeover between batches. This efficiency minimizes downtime and maximizes output.
  • Cost-Effective and Scalable: Designed with scalability in mind, NB-3 is stackable and can be daisy-chained, making it an affordable solution. Remarkably, the cost is less than that of an iPhone, making cutting-edge synthetic DNA production accessible to more laboratories and research facilities.

NB-3 is not just a product; it’s a leap forward in synthetic biology. By combining speed, efficiency, and affordability, NB-3 empowers researchers and scientists to push the boundaries of what’s possible in DNA synthesis. We are excited to see the innovations and discoveries that NB-3 will enable.

Stay tuned for more updates and insights on how NB-3 can transform your synthetic DNA projects. If you have any questions or would like to learn more, please don’t hesitate to reach out!

NunaBio Triumphs at the Bionow Awards 2023

By Press Release, Events

NunaBio Triumphs at the Bionow Awards 2023: A Testament to Team Excellence

Manchester: March 2024

NunaBio are delighted to have won the Startup Award at the esteemed Bionow Awards 2023, marking a significant milestone in the company’s journey of innovation and impact. The team enjoyed a wonderful evening at the ceremony which was attended by industry leaders, investors, and researchers.

Reflecting on the achievement, CEO and founder Joe Hedley remarked, “This award is recognition of the progress we have made and continue to make together. None of this is possible without our fantastic people who are all rising stars.”

NunaBio’s success underscores the power of collaboration and the dedication of its exceptional team. With a commitment to harnessing DNA synthesis for sustainable solutions, Nunabio is poised to lead the way in addressing global challenges and shaping a brighter future for all.

NunaBio Achieves ISO 9001:2015 Recertification

By Press Release

NunaBio proudly announces its successful recertification to the ISO 9001:2015 international quality standard, reinforcing our dedication to delivering superior manufacturing of synthetic DNA.

This achievement showcases our commitment to providing high-quality products and services.

Audit by UKAS-Accredited Third Party

Undergoing an audit by an independent UKAS-accredited third party, NunaBio demonstrated an impeccable quality management system. Our policies, procedures, and laboratory operations were thoroughly reviewed, with no non-conformances or improvement opportunities identified.

Trust and Confidence

Recertification of our international quality standard signifies a significant accomplishment for NunaBio. It demonstrates our unwavering continued commitment to quality manufacturing, instilling trust in our customers. They can rely on us for exceptional products and services.

Continuous Improvement

NunaBio remains devoted to continuous improvement, striving for excellence in all aspects of our business. The recertification of our international quality standard represents a significant step forwardachievement, ensuring our customers receive nothing short of high-quality products and services.

Recertification and GMP Manufacturing Goals

Traceability: Key to GMP Manufacturing

The ISO 9001:2015 standard includes requirements for traceability, which is an essential requirement for GMP manufacturing, The ISO 9001:2015 standard emphasizes traceability, a crucial component of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). NunaBio’s recertification highlights our adherence to this requirement, enabling us to identify and address potential issues promptly.

Strengthening Scientific Work and Manufacturing

Our successful recertification reinforces demonstrates NunaBio’s commitment to maintaining high-quality scientific work and manufacturing processes. With a robust traceability system in place, we can swiftly track raw materials to finished products, ensuring efficient problem detection.

Ensuring Quality Synthetic DNA

NunaBio’s dedication to providing high-quality synthetic DNA is unwavering. Recertification to the ISO 9001:2015 standard signifies a significant milestone, strengthening our commitment to continually improve our manufacturing and operational practices.

In conclusion, NunaBio’s recertification to the ISO 9001:2015 standard demonstrates our steadfast commitment to quality manufacturing. With a focus on continuous improvement and a robust traceability system, NunaBio remains a trusted provider of exceptional products and services in the industry.

ISO9001 Certificate

Stay in touch to know more about our services:  Contact – NunaBio

ISO 9001 quality certificate NunaBio

Complex Synthetic DNA Solutions

By Article

Overcoming Challenges in Synthetic DNA Production

As scientists delve deeper into the mysteries of DNA and its crucial role in various biological processes, the demand for synthetic DNA products continues to soar. Synthetic DNA finds applications in gene editing, vaccine development, and diagnostic medicine. While significant strides have been made in the technology of DNA synthesis, there are still specific sequences that pose challenges. In this article, we will explore two notable examples and shed light on why these sequences remain elusive to suppliers, particularly those utilizing phosphoramidite chemistry in their DNA manufacturing processes. 

Unravelling Homopolymer Regions: A Synthesis Conundrum 

Homopolymer regions are segments of DNA that consist of a single nucleotide type—either adenine (A), cytosine (C), guanine (G), or thymine (T). These sequences are notorious for causing complications during DNA synthesis and sequencing due to their repetitive nature. When a homopolymer sequence comprises a string of ‘A’ nucleotides, it can impede the progression of DNA polymerase, resulting in stalling or slippage and consequently a higher error rate in the final sequence. Consequently, DNA manufacturers often reject homopolymer sequences due to these challenges. 

Navigating the Complexity of GC-Rich Sequences 

GC-rich sequences also pose difficulties in synthesis due to the formation of three hydrogen bonds between the G and C bases, in contrast to the two bonds formed between A and T. This triple bond renders these sequences more stable and harder to separate during the synthesis process. Additionally, even if a GC-rich DNA sequence is successfully synthesized, purifying and isolating the desired product becomes a daunting task. GC-rich DNA sequences tend to form secondary structures, such as hairpins, which can cause the DNA polymerase to detach during synthesis, resulting in errors and truncated sequences. These challenges in synthesis and isolation contribute to higher costs for customers seeking GC-rich DNA products. 

Overcoming Challenges in Procuring Complex DNA 

Procuring complex DNA, especially homopolymer and GC-rich sequences, from commercial vendors poses significant challenges. Commercial vendors often struggle to manufacture these sequences to the desired standards, making it difficult for customers to obtain them. Moreover, the price of DNA synthesis is not uniform and depends on factors such as quantity, length, and complexity. Customers in need of these sequences must consider bespoke synthesis, which incurs additional costs, to ensure a reliable source of complex DNA. 

NunaBio: Pioneering Innovative Solutions in Synthetic DNA

At NunaBio, we employ groundbreaking methods to produce DNA sequences that are unavailable elsewhere. As a relatively small company, we have the freedom to think beyond conventional approaches when it comes to DNA manufacturing. While large, well-established suppliers may lack the flexibility to tackle complex DNA synthesis, our multi-patented technology empowers us to amplify substantial amounts of DNA rapidly, including homopolymers, GC-rich sequences, and modifications. If you are seeking complex, custom DNA and facing challenges finding a suitable supplier, we encourage you to reach out to us. Let us explore how we can fulfill your specific requirements. 

In conclusion, the realm of synthetic DNA continues to expand alongside advancements in scientific understanding. However, challenges persist in synthesizing complex sequences, such as homopolymers and GC-rich DNA. These obstacles necessitate innovative solutions and a shift toward bespoke synthesis for reliable procurement. NunaBio stands at the forefront of this paradigm shift, offering unique capabilities to fulfill the diverse needs of customers requiring complex DNA. Contact us today and embark on a journey of unlocking the full potential of DNA in your applications.

NunaBio Shortlisted at North East Innovation Awards 2023

By Press Release

NunaBio were honoured to be shortlisted for Spinout of the Year at the recent North East Innovation Awards as part of VentureFest North East 2023.

We will always be proud to represent the North East, helping to raise it’s profile as an important hub for Biotechnology and contributing to skilled employment in the region.

Many thanks to VentureFest for shortlisting us among so many successful and inspiring companies.

 

NunaBio raises £2M in seed funding to expand infrastructure and accelerate R&D

By Press Release

NunaBio to join Pioneer Group’s Launch Venture Building programme

Newcastle upon Tyne, 20th April 2023 – NunaBio, a TechBio company producing synthetic DNA for biochemical research, today announced it has raised £1.9m in a seed round with participation from the North East Innovation Fund, supported by the European Regional Development Fund and managed by Northstar Ventures, Pioneer Group, Ascension Life Fund and Martlet Capital.

Founded in April 2021 as a spin-out from Newcastle University, NunaBio is developing a novel method of DNA synthesis which enables the cost-effective production of oligonucleotides at impressive scale, speed, and accuracy. The platform will enable synthesis of whole genes and DNA fragments of unprecedented length without the use of plasmids or primers, which are existing bottlenecks in the synthetic biology industry.

NunaBio’s technology has broad applications across multiple areas of life sciences, including gene therapy, T cell engineering, viral vector synthesis, diagnostics, hybridisation capture and targeted biomarker panels.

Proceeds will be used to expand the Company’s infrastructure to scale-up its existing offering, and to accelerate research and development. As part of the investment, NunaBio will also join Pioneer Group’s Launch Venture Building programme, where it will receive wrap-around support from leaders in the field for starting up, scaling and raising investment. The Company will benefit from commercialisation support for 12 months.

Joe Hedley, Co-founder and CEO of NunaBio, said:

“I am delighted to have the support of top life sciences investors which will enable us to further evolve our DNA synthesis technology, making our system one of the most innovative technologies in the market. Our investors share our mission of delivering accurate, efficient DNA synthesis to have a lasting impact on the world and so we are delighted they have chosen to invest in NunaBio. We are also excited to be joining Pioneer Group’s venture building programme and to work closely with its highly experienced life sciences team.”

Glenn Crocker, Head of Ventures at Pioneer Group, said:

“NunaBio is pioneering a new era of DNA synthesis that has the potential to revolutionise the synthetic biology industry and fill a gap across key life sciences markets. We are impressed by the technology Joe and his team have developed so rapidly and are proud to be part of this financing round. We also welcome them to our life sciences ecosystem and look forward to helping them thrive in every step of their innovation journey.”

Alisa Molotova, Investment Manager at Martlet Capital, said:

“We are thrilled to support NunaBio’s novel and disruptive DNA synthesis technology and the talented team behind it. With a dedicated team pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in DNA synthesis, we can help unlock the potential of synthetic biology and drive innovation across a wide range of industries. We are excited to be part of something truly transformative.”

Chris Wheatcroft, Investment Partner at the Ascension Life Fund, said:

“We were immediately impressed with Joe and the NunaBio team and had strong conviction from the outset. We believe that NunaBio’s technology has the potential to disrupt the synthetic DNA market. They have the right team and investors to take advantage of a large and growing market opportunity.”

Alex Buchan, Investment Director at Northstar Ventures, said:

“We are pleased to support NunaBio, a spin out from Newcastle University, which is developing cutting edge DNA synthesis technology. We have been impressed by the company’s recent progress. We strongly believe NunaBio has the potential to become a major provider of DNA at scale and form an integral part of the rapidly growing SynBio cluster in the North East.”

For more information, please contact:

Pioneer Group

Miranda Knaggs

 

Email:hello@thepioneergroup.com

Pioneer Group – Instinctif Partners (Media)

Melanie Toyne-Sewell / Giulia Lasagni / Feyi Ashamu

 

Tel: 0207 457 2020

Email: pioneer@instinctif.com

NunaBio Limited

Joe Hedley

 

Email: info@nunabio.com

Ascension Ventures

 

Email: info@ascension.vc
Martlet Capital

 

Email: contactus@martletcap.com
Northstar Ventures Email: hekla@northstarventures.co.uk

nickyd@gardiner-richardson.com

kristenw@gardiner-richardson.com

 

Notes to Editors

About NunaBio

NunaBio is a privately owned life sciences company based in the northeast of the UK. Founded in 2021, our multi-patented technology can quickly produce large quantities of pure synthetic DNA using environmentally conscious processes.

Our mission is to enable game changing technologies across the life sciences and biotech sectors by providing novel high-quality material at scale – we are not only making products, we are empowering the most cutting-edge technologies to make an impact on the world.

For further information on NunaBio visit www.nunabio.com

 

About Pioneer Group

Pioneer Group’s mission is to help life sciences and high-tech businesses to thrive in tackling challenges in both human and planetary health. Across the UK and Ireland, Pioneer leads the way in integrating the provision of mission critical real estate, venture building and venture investment.

Since 2003 its connected cluster model has provided powerful sector-specific, business-focused ecosystems in which businesses are more likely to succeed.

Pioneer Group delivers the most comprehensive suite of accelerator and venture building activity across the UK and Ireland, helping founders to transfer cutting-edge discovery into visionary ventures that scale. Pioneer’s in-house team supports start-ups and scale-ups and works in partnership with organisations such as InnovateUK, AbbVie, Astellas, Academic Health Science Networks and many of the UK’s strongest universities.

Pioneer also backs game-changing, early-stage life science companies with investment from its venture capital funds, alongside ongoing mentoring and assistance. The focus is on funding the most promising companies graduating from Pioneer’s venture building programmes and/or based at its campuses. Since 2015, Pioneer has supported over 80 early-stage ventures which have raised in excess of £200m.

For more information about Pioneer Group, visit www.thepioneergroup.com.

Follow Pioneer Group:  LinkedIn | YouTube

 

About Ascension

Ascension is an early-stage VC built by exited entrepreneurs to back the next generation of tech and impact founders. The Ascension Life Fund is a specialist TechBio fund that invests into advanced technology companies with applications in the pharma industry.

Ascension was voted Seed VC of the Year in 2022 (UK Business Angels Association) and has been the most active investor in London over the past decade (Beauhurst).

For more information about Ascension, visit www.ascension.vc.

About Northstar Ventures

Northstar Ventures is a venture capital and social investment firm based in the North East. We provide funding for innovative, scalable businesses and high impact social enterprises. We’ve been supporting entrepreneurs since 2004, seeking out strong teams with great ideas that will drive high growth, scalable businesses, and sustainable charities. As the North East’s leading early stage investor, we have invested over £100m into start-ups, early stage businesses and high impact social enterprises. Our investment managers have a wealth of experience supporting new and growing businesses and bring commercial and operational experience, PhDs and MBAs, international careers and even a micro-business or two.

About The North East Fund

The North East Fund is a suite of five venture capital and loan funds which was established in April 2018, to invest £130m in around 600 North East businesses in the period to December 2023. The fund managers provide business development advice and investment finance to small and medium sized enterprises based in the seven Local Authority areas of North East England: Northumberland, North Tyneside, Newcastle, South Tyneside, Gateshead Sunderland and County Durham. The programme encourages investment in and the commercialisation of new technologies, including low carbon technologies, as well as stimulating new business creation, private investment and entrepreneurialism in the North East, with a view to creating over 2,500 new jobs. The North East Fund has overall responsibility for the programme, which is delivered through five separate funds, each managed by independent, FCA regulated fund managers. Details of these, and up to date information on the progress of the programme, is available on The North East Fund’s website: www.northeastfund.org

The North East Fund has been established with funding from the North East of England European Regional Development Fund programme, the European Investment Bank and from returns on previous North East based, publicly supported investment funds. It is jointly owned by the seven North East local authorities.

About the European Regional Development Fund

The North East Fund will receive up to £66,500,000 of funding from the England European Regional Development Fund as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020. The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities is the Managing Authority for European Regional Development Fund. Established by the European Union, the European Regional Development Fund helps local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support innovation, businesses, create jobs and local community regenerations. For more information visit https://www.gov.uk/european-growth-funding.

About the European Investment Bank

The European Investment Bank (EIB) will lend up to £60,000,000 to the North East Fund programme. The European Investment Bank is the long-term lending institution of the European Union owned by its Member States. It makes long-term finance available for sound investment in order to contribute towards EU policy goals. For more information, visit: http://www.eib.org/about/index.htm

About Martlet Capital

Martlet Capital is an early-stage investor based in Cambridge, providing patient capital to deep technology and life science startups with high growth potential. Martlet seek to support entrepreneurs with value beyond capital. Martlet have achieved several exits from our portfolio, from trade sales to global technology companies and IPO’s.

Further information about Martlet Capital is available on: https://martletcap.com/

About Us

New Appointments – COO and Lead for Synthetic Biology

By Press Release

NunaBio is thrilled to announce the recent appointment of their new Chief Operating Officer Sarah Greenhalgh and Technical Lead for Synthetic Biology, Dr Rachel Telfer-Sutherland.

Sarah’s background in supporting academic, clinical and commercial research projects and clinical trials is particularly valuable for NunaBio as they strive to provide high-quality DNA synthesis products and services to support the advancement of science and medicine. She has a track record of success having implemented efficient operations and optimized processes to deliver results that exceed expectations.

Sarah said,

“I have joined the company at an exciting time, and have enjoyed supporting the team to ensure that NunaBio is best placed to achieve its ambitious goals.”

Rachel reflected,

“I am thrilled to have recently joined the incredibly talented team at NunaBio. I have already learnt a huge amount from the team and look forward to helping with the development of their novel DNA synthetic strategies.”

Rachel’s biology specialism is underpinned by doctoral research in breast cancer genetics followed by commercial R&D experience in the development of new diagnostic tests. She will be involved in designing and testing new methods for synthesizing DNA using our innovative patented technology.

These two new posts complement the existing interdisciplinary team of talented scientists bringing fresh perspectives, expertise, and ideas to the company’s DNA synthesis efforts.

NunaBio is at a critical time in its evolution as a company, and is excited to have such a talented and experienced team to support the journey. We look forward to seeing the positive impact that these new appointments will have on the science, operations, growth, and success.

We are looking to broaden the NunaBio team and have opportunities in both our scientific and commercial teams. Please visit the Careers section of our webpage to view our current vacancies, or submit your CV and covering letter explaining why you’d like to join our team to info@nunabio.com.

NunaBio is a privately owned life sciences company based in the northeast of the UK.

Founded in 2021, our multi-patented technology can quickly produce large quantities of pure synthetic DNA using environmentally conscious processes.

NunaBio’ platform enables the synthesis of whole genes and DNA fragments of unprecedented length without the use of plasmids or primers, which are existing bottlenecks in the synthetic biology industry. Our technology has broad applications across multiple areas of life sciences, including gene therapy, T cell engineering, viral vector synthesis, hybridisation capture and targeted biomarker panels.

Our mission is to enable game changing technologies across the life sciences and biotech sectors by providing novel high-quality material at scale – we are not only making products, we are empowering the most cutting-edge technologies to make an impact on the world.

About Us

NunaBio is One of Three North East Based SMEs to be Awarded Innovate UK BMC Grant

By Press Release

NunaBio, is one of three North East based Biotech SMEs to be awarded a BMC Grant from Innovate UK.

For the project, Nunabio will apply their multi-patented technology to forge a new improved method of DNA synthesis that will reduce manufacture and shipping delays, increase workflow autonomy and control, reduce solvent usage and contamination, and produce more ready-to-use material, faster and at lower cost. The outputs of the project will help save £583Mn in future industry costs and remove 4.4M litres of harmful phosphoramidite synthesis reagents from industrial use by 2029.

Synthetic DNA is a mainstream component for a wide range of established and emerging industries including cell and gene therapies and molecular diagnostics. The global DNA synthesis market is forecast to reach £3.4bn by 2025, with demand reaching hundreds of kilograms in the coming years and vastly outstripping supply. Solid phase phosphoramidite chemistry, the mainstay DNA production method over the past 40 years, suffers from an over-dependence on hazardous chemicals, limited accuracy and length, manufacturing delays, expensive shipping, and low yield/quality. High DNA yields largely rely on manufacturing level scale-up by cloning via plasmids into bacteria, which poses safety concerns and is a costly manufacturing bottleneck.

The UK Government Life Sciences Strategy prioritizes an escalation in molecular therapeutics and advanced diagnostics development and manufacture to build resilience against future pandemics. This will depend on new tools for versatile, low-cost, high yield oligonucleotide synthesis.  

Dr Joe Hedley, NunaBio Founder & CEO commented

“As someone who was born and raised in the North East, I am extremely proud that the region has been recognized for its innovation and talent. At NunaBio, we are committed to driving the development of novel products and techniques, this funding will help us immensely to achieve some of our goals.”

NunaBio is a privately owned life sciences company based in the northeast of the UK.

Founded in 2021, our multi-patented technology can quickly produce large quantities of pure synthetic DNA using environmentally conscious processes.

NunaBio’ platform enables the synthesis of whole genes and DNA fragments of unprecedented length without the use of plasmids or primers, which are existing bottlenecks in the synthetic biology industry. Our technology has broad applications across multiple areas of life sciences, including gene therapy, T cell engineering, viral vector synthesis, hybridisation capture and targeted biomarker panels.

Our mission is to enable game changing technologies across the life sciences and biotech sectors by providing novel high-quality material at scale – we are not only making products, we are empowering the most cutting-edge technologies to make an impact on the world.

About Us

NunaBio is Awarded ISO9001 Certification

By Press Release

NunaBio, the synthetic DNA spin out from Newcastle University, is proud to announce their successful certification to ISO 9001:2015.

ISO 9001 is an internationally recognized Quality Management Standard which ensures products and services meet the needs of clients through an effective Quality Management system.

 

Quality Manager Dr Steve Evans says

“ We have developed and implemented this system in order to improve our overall performance, maintain a high-level of quality and strong customer service, and provide a sound basis for sustainable development initiatives. Our decision to work towards ISO 9001 certification demonstrates a commitment to providing high-quality and consistent products and services to our clients and our ongoing investment in technology and development.”

 

CEO Joe Hedley comments

‘ISO 9001 is the basis of all of the ISO quality standards. To have achieved certification at such an early stage of the company’s development shows that we are operating in the right way to satisfy all regulatory requirements as we develop exciting new products.’

NunaBio is a privately owned life sciences company based in the northeast of the UK.

Founded in 2021, our multi-patented technology can quickly produce large quantities of pure synthetic DNA using environmentally conscious processes.

NunaBio’ platform enables the synthesis of whole genes and DNA fragments of unprecedented length without the use of plasmids or primers, which are existing bottlenecks in the synthetic biology industry. Our technology has broad applications across multiple areas of life sciences, including gene therapy, T cell engineering, viral vector synthesis, hybridisation capture and targeted biomarker panels.

Our mission is to enable game changing technologies across the life sciences and biotech sectors by providing novel high-quality material at scale – we are not only making products, we are empowering the most cutting-edge technologies to make an impact on the world.

About Us

NunaBio Chair Appointment

By Press Release

NunaBio, the synthetic DNA spin out from Newcastle University, has announced the appointment of Colin Mitchell as their new independent Board Chair.

Colin is a veterinary surgeon with 18 years’ experience as a business owner. He has also previously been appointed non-executive director and chair of financial committee for two other businesses. His qualifications and interests in finance, strategy and governance strongly support a Board-level position with NunaBio and it is with great pleasure that we welcome him to this.

CEO Joe Hedley says

“Colin has a wealth of experience in roles across business, finance and strategy, which brings an understanding and perspective that will be essential for the role. It is a fantastic appointment which confirms our ambition to take NunaBio to the next level.”

Commenting on his appointment, Colin says

“I am delighted and honoured to have been appointed as chair of NunaBio. As a business owner local to the North East I am very much looking forward to being involved in this company which has such an exciting future.”

NunaBio is a privately owned life sciences company based in the northeast of the UK.

Founded in 2021, our multi-patented technology can quickly produce large quantities of pure synthetic DNA using environmentally conscious processes.

NunaBio’ platform enables the synthesis of whole genes and DNA fragments of unprecedented length without the use of plasmids or primers, which are existing bottlenecks in the synthetic biology industry. Our technology has broad applications across multiple areas of life sciences, including gene therapy, T cell engineering, viral vector synthesis, hybridisation capture and targeted biomarker panels.

Our mission is to enable game changing technologies across the life sciences and biotech sectors by providing novel high-quality material at scale – we are not only making products, we are empowering the most cutting-edge technologies to make an impact on the world.

About Us