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.
Locus Biosciences has developed a platform to design and deliver custom CRISPR-Cas systems directly to specific bacteria. Guided by the custom Locus Bio CRISPRs, the Type-I Cas proteins work to destroy bacterial DNA and cause the bacterial targets to “self-destruct”. Locus’ platform enables the development of antimicrobials which avoid currently known resistance mechanisms while leaving non-target bacteria unharmed. Built on prokaryotic technology for prokaryotic targets, Locus is advancing its platform to create therapeutics for critical-need therapeutic areas ranging from resistant bacterial infections to 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.
Locus Biosciences has developed a platform to design and deliver custom CRISPR-Cas systems directly to specific bacteria. Guided by the custom Locus Bio CRISPRs, the Type-I Cas proteins work to destroy bacterial DNA and cause the bacterial targets to “self-destruct”. Locus’ platform enables the development of antimicrobials which avoid currently known resistance mechanisms while leaving non-target bacteria unharmed. Built on prokaryotic technology for prokaryotic targets, Locus is advancing its platform to create therapeutics for critical-need therapeutic areas ranging from resistant bacterial infections to the microbiome.
Location: United States, North Carolina, Morrisville
Employees: 51-200
Total raised: $84M
Founded date: 2015
Investors 4
| Date | Name | Website |
| - | SV Tech Ve... | svtechvent... |
| - | ChinaRock ... | crcmventur... |
| 17.07.2021 | CARB-X | carb-x.org |
| - | Tencent | tenx.tc |
Funding Rounds 4
| Date | Series | Amount | Investors |
| 26.05.2022 | Series B | $35M | - |
| 19.10.2021 | - | $25M | - |
| 16.11.2017 | Series A | $19M | - |
| 10.07.2017 | - | $5M | - |
Mentions in press and media 22
| Date | Title | Description |
| 12.01.2026 | Locus Biosciences Receives $3.3M Award From NIH | Locus Biosciences, a Morrisville, NC-based clinical-stage biotechnology company, received a $3.3M award from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The awarded con... |
| 01.04.2024 | Впервые в мире почку свиньи изменили генетически и пересадили человеку. Теперь их можно массово пересаживать... | Хирурги из США провели человеку трансплантацию почки, полученной из генетически модифицированной свиньи. СМИ сообщают, что данная операция является прорывом в области ксенотрансплантации, когда органы, клетки или ткани пересаживаются из одн... |
| 23.01.2024 | Locus Biosciences Announces $23.9 Million in Funding from BARDA to Support First Phase 2 Trial of CRISPR-engineered Bacteriophage Therapy | - |
| 12.10.2022 | Gene-editing companies are growing thanks to fast-paced science, even as biotech faces a downturn | Marianne Ayala/Insider This story is available exclusively to Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now. Redeem now A handful of biotechs specializing in gene editing are charging ahead despite an industry downturn. Inste... |
| 23.05.2022 | How the Choctaw Nation became an industry leader in drones | This is the web version of Term Sheet, a daily newsletter on the biggest deals and dealmakers. Sign up to get it delivered free to your inbox. Last month I drove out to the Choctaw reservation to fly drones. There’s a ranch the Choctaw trib... |
| 18.05.2022 | Locus Biosciences Announces $35 Million Financing | - |
| 18.05.2022 | Locus Biosciences Announces $35 Million Financing | Proceeds will support product development and expansion of in-house cGMP manufacturing capabilities Company anticipates initiating Phase 2 trial of CRISPR-Cas3-enhanced bacteriophage precision medicine for UTIs mid-2022 RESEARCH TRIANGLE PA... |
| 19.10.2021 | Locus Biosciences Secures Financing of up to $25 Million from Hercules Capital | RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., Oct. 19, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Locus Biosciences, Inc. (“Locus”), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing a new class of precision engineered bacteriophage treatments for a diverse set of bacterial... |
| 19.10.2021 | Locus Biosciences Secures Financing of up to $25 Million from Hercules Capital | RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., Oct. 19, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Locus Biosciences, Inc. (“Locus”), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing a new class of precision engineered bacteriophage treatments for a diverse set of bacterial... |
| 08.03.2021 | New clinical trial data from Locus Biosciences shows promise in CRISPR-Cas3 technology | Antibiotic resistance is one of the biggest potential threats to global health today. But Locus Biosciences is hoping that their crPhage technology might provide a new solution. Based in North Carolina’s Research Triangle, the startup recen... |
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