Cooper International and United PPE to Produce Kits for Worldwide Distribution of Sherlock’s CRISPR Technology as Part of Ongoing Testing Strategies

BOSTON, April 21, 2021 – The 221b Foundation, a nonprofit organization established by Sherlock Biosciences to address the global COVID-19 pandemic while promoting diverse representation in STEM, today announced that it has granted Cooper International and United PPE licenses to develop and manufacture COVID-19 diagnostic tests using Sherlock’s CRISPR technology. The agreements will increase access in Asia and the Middle East.

By providing its CRISPR technology, called SHERLOCK, through The 221b Foundation, Sherlock is facilitating pathways for the development and delivery of rapid, accurate and automatable solutions to directly benefit patients and the fight against the global COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are deeply committed to increasing access to diagnostics globally and are excited that these organizations will translate the promise of our CRISPR platform into COVID-19 diagnostic solutions,” said Rahul Dhanda, co-founder, president and CEO of Sherlock Biosciences and founding board member of The 221b Foundation. “By providing our CRISPR technology to these test developers, the critical need for improved testing during the pandemic will be further satisfied, improving healthcare at a global scale.”

The SHERLOCK diagnostic platform can achieve single molecule detection of nucleic acid targets; its name stands for Specific High Sensitivity Enzymatic Reporter unLOCKing. SHERLOCK utilizes CRISPR activity for “smart amplicon detection” and can be adapted for use with existing diagnostic instruments, improving time to result due to its significant multiplexing capacity. When a specific sequence of DNA or RNA is present, a CRISPR enzyme is activated and, much like a pair of scissors, starts cutting nearby genetic material, releasing a fluorescent signal that indicates a positive result. In May 2020, Sherlock received Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its Sherlock™ CRISPR SARS-CoV-2 kit, the first FDA-authorized use of CRISPR technology.

“We see enormous value in Sherlock’s CRISPR-based technology,” said Ayman Cheikh Lahlou, CEO of Cooper Pharma. “The assay design is uniquely suited to covering new and emerging variants and can be easily automated for high throughput, a critical benefit in our efforts to develop a robust diagnostic to help contain the pandemic.”

“We are excited to expand access to COVID-19 diagnostics by bringing Sherlock’s CRISPR platform to the Asian market,” said Peter Hon Chong, CEO of United PPE America. “Our vast production and distribution abilities throughout Asia will ensure that these critical diagnostics can be rapidly deployed to aid in the fight against this global pandemic.”

About The 221b Foundation

The 221b Foundation was founded with the dual mission to assist in the eradication of COVID-19, while supporting racial and gender diversity in STEM. By providing support and intellectual property that enables both non-profit and for-profit entities to develop CRISPR-based diagnostic testing, The 221b Foundation seeks to aid in the fight against the global COVID-19 pandemic while furthering access and diversity in STEM industries. Led by industry experts in the fields of diagnostic testing, STEM and diversity, The 221b Foundation envisions a world where advances in CRISPR technology fuel the innovations that will put an end to the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information, please visit: 221bfoundation.org.

About Sherlock Biosciences

Sherlock Biosciences is dedicated to providing global access to the simplest and most accurate tests that empower individuals to control their own healthcare. Through its Engineering Biology platforms, the company is developing applications of SHERLOCK™, a CRISPR-based method for “smart amplicon detection,” and INSPECTR™, a synthetic biology-based molecular diagnostics platform that is instrument-free. SHERLOCK and INSPECTR can be used in virtually any setting without complex instrumentation, opening up a wide range of potential applications in areas including precision oncology, infection identification, food safety, at-home tests and disease detection in the field. In 2020, the company made history with the first FDA-authorized use of CRISPR technology. For more information visit Sherlock.bio. 

Contact

Katie Engleman, 1AB

katie@1abmedia.com

Company among top-ranked in the biotechnology category

Cambridge, Mass., March 9, 2021 – Sherlock Biosciences, an Engineering Biology company dedicated to making diagnostic testing better, faster and more affordable, today announced it has been named to Fast Company’s prestigious annual list of the World’s Most Innovative Companies for 2021.

The list honors the businesses that have not only found a way to be resilient in the past year, but also turned those challenges into impact-making processes. These companies did more than survive, they thrived—making an impact on their industries and culture as a whole. This year’s MIC list features 463 businesses from 29 countries.

“We are thrilled to be recognized alongside industry peers in the biotechnology category for our industry-leading innovation,” said Rahul Dhanda, co-founder, president and CEO of Sherlock Biosciences. “In under three years, we have achieved a number of significant milestones for our business and technology, including the global launch of our first commercial product – the Sherlock™ CRISPR SARS-CoV-2 test kit, the very first FDA-authorized use of CRISPR technology. This honor is not only a testament to our incredible team; it recognizes our present and future impact to provide global access to the simplest and most accurate tests that empower individuals to control their own healthcare.”

Fast Company’s editors and writers sought out the most groundbreaking businesses across the globe and industries. They also judged nominations received through their application process.

The World’s Most Innovative Companies is Fast Company’s signature franchise and one of its most highly anticipated editorial efforts of the year. It provides both a snapshot and a road map for the future of innovation across the most dynamic sectors of the economy.

“In a year of unprecedented challenges, the companies on this list exhibit fearlessness, ingenuity, and creativity in the face of crisis,” said Fast Company Deputy Editor David Lidsky, who oversaw the issue with Senior Editor Amy Farley.

To coincide with the issue launch, Fast Company will host its first-ever Most Innovative Companies Summit on March 9 and 10. This virtual, multiday summit will celebrate the Most Innovative Companies in business, provide an early look at major business trends, and offer the inspiration and practical insights on what it takes to innovate in 2021.

Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies issue (March/April 2021) is now available online here, as well as in app form via iTunes and on newsstands beginning March 16, 2021. The hashtag is #FCMostInnovative.

About Sherlock Biosciences

Sherlock Biosciences is dedicated to making molecular diagnostics better, faster and more affordable through Engineering Biology platforms. The company is developing applications of SHERLOCK™, a CRISPR-based method to detect and quantify specific genetic sequences, and INSPECTR^TM, a Synthetic Biology-based molecular diagnostics platform that is instrument-free. SHERLOCK and INSPECTR can be used in virtually any setting without complex instrumentation, opening up a wide range of potential applications in areas including precision oncology, infection identification, food safety, at-home tests, and disease detection in the field. In May 2020, the company received Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its Sherlock™ CRISPR SARS-CoV-2 kit, the first FDA-authorized use of CRISPR technology. For more information visit Sherlock.bio. 

About Fast Company

Fast Company is the only media brand fully dedicated to the vital intersection of business, innovation, and design, engaging the most influential leaders, companies, and thinkers on the future of business. The editor-in-chief is Stephanie Mehta. Headquartered in New York City, Fast Company is published by Mansueto Ventures LLC, along with our sister publication Inc., and can be found online at www.fastcompany.com.

Contact

Katie Engleman, 1AB

katie@1abmedia.com

Sherlock™ CRISPR SARS-CoV-2 Kit Designated as Essential Diagnostic Test for Nepal’s National Testing Strategy

Cambridge, Mass., January 6, 2021 – The 221b Foundation, a nonprofit organization established by Sherlock Biosciences to address the global COVID-19 pandemic and diverse representation in STEM, today announced an initiative with the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) in Nepal to control the spread of SARS-CoV-2 throughout the country. With contributions from Sherlock Biosciences, Open Philanthropy, Integrated DNA Technologies and MoHP, The 221b Foundation will provide support to the country of Nepal through financial assistance and donations of equipment and Sherlock™ CRISPR SARS-CoV-2 kits, which the country has designated as an essential diagnostic test for combating the pandemic. The total value of the donations is $200,000.

Dr. Dig Bijay Mahat worked closely with Sherlock Biosciences and MoHP to introduce and facilitate the adoption of Sherlock CRISPR SARS-CoV-2 testing kits in Nepal. In addition to his work with the coalition, Dr. Mahat is also a research scientist in the lab of Nobel Laureate Phillip A. Sharp at the Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research at MIT.

According to MoHP, the daily COVID-19 positivity rate in Nepal is around 20-25%. Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu, and surrounding areas account for more than a third of all infections, raising concerns about the ability of hospitals to support the growing need for ventilators and intensive care.

“When we established The 221b Foundation, we felt strongly that we needed to support efforts worldwide to confront COVID-19,” said Rahul Dhanda, co-founder, president and CEO of Sherlock Biosciences and founding board member of The 221b Foundation. “By establishing a strong coalition to support Nepal and its Ministry of Health, we are collectively working to provide a critical testing need to assist a region facing a surging challenge with this pandemic.”

The testing will be supervised by MoHP with initial tests validated and run in the National Public Health Laboratory in Kathmandu. Initial efforts will support major cities, and the ramp up to support country-wide testing is expected to occur over the next few months. With infections increasing at alarming rates, a national testing strategy is the foundation of Nepal’s effort to manage the pandemic.

“COVID-19 has become a severe threat to our national public health, and we have established a plan to contain its spread, which is built on a strong testing platform,” said Dr. Jageshwor Gautam, the spokesperson for MoHP. “Sherlock’s CRISPR SARS-CoV-2 kit is ideally suited to address Nepal’s national diagnostic needs, and it represents one of many critical components in a broader plan that will successfully contain this pandemic.”

The coalition members have each committed to addressing the pandemic through testing, tracing, providing equipment or supporting communities most severely affected by the pandemic. The Sherlock CRISPR SARS-CoV-2 kit should provide capacity for a single site to run thousands of tests per day on simple and accessible equipment.

The SHERLOCK diagnostic platform can achieve  single molecule detection of nucleic acid targets; its name stands for Specific High Sensitivity Enzymatic Reporter unLOCKing. SHERLOCK utilizes CRISPR activity for “smart amplicon detection” and can be adapted for use with existing diagnostic instruments, improving time to result due to its significant multiplexing capacity. When a specific sequence of DNA or RNA is present, a CRISPR enzyme is activated and, much like a pair of scissors, starts cutting nearby genetic material, releasing a fluorescent signal that indicates a positive result. In May 2020, Sherlock received Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its Sherlock™ CRISPR SARS-CoV-2 kit, the first FDA-authorized use of CRISPR technology.

About The 221b Foundation

The 221b Foundation was founded with the dual mission to assist in the eradication of COVID-19, while supporting racial and gender diversity in STEM. By providing support and intellectual property that enables both non-profit and for-profit entities to develop CRISPR-based diagnostic testing, The 221b Foundation seeks to aid in the fight against the global COVID-19 pandemic while furthering access and diversity in STEM industries. Led by industry experts in the fields of diagnostic testing, STEM and diversity, The 221b Foundation envisions a world where advances in CRISPR technology fuel the innovations that will put an end to the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information, please visit: 221bfoundation.org.

About Sherlock Biosciences

Sherlock Biosciences is dedicated to providing global access to the simplest and most accurate tests that empower individuals to control their own healthcare. Through its Engineering Biology platforms, the company is developing applications of SHERLOCK™, a CRISPR-based method for “smart amplicon detection,” and INSPECTR™, a synthetic biology-based molecular diagnostics platform that is instrument-free. SHERLOCK and INSPECTR can be used in virtually any setting without complex instrumentation, opening up a wide range of potential applications in areas including precision oncology, infection identification, food safety, at-home tests and disease detection in the field. In 2020, the company made history with the first FDA-authorized use of CRISPR technology. For more information visit Sherlock.bio. 

Contact

Katie Engleman, 1AB

katie@1abmedia.com

Funds from Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to Accelerate Development of Instrument-free Diagnostic Platform for Use Anywhere, Including Low- and Middle-income Countries

Cambridge, Mass., December 16, 2020 – Sherlock Biosciences, an Engineering Biology company dedicated to making diagnostic testing better, faster and more affordable, today announced it has received a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in the amount of $5 million to continue to advance INSPECTR^TM, its instrument-free, synthetic biology-based molecular diagnostics platform.

“We are deeply grateful for the support of the Gates Foundation as we seek to empower individuals all over the world to control their own healthcare decisions by making low-cost, self-diagnostic tests available,” said William J. Blake, chief technology officer of Sherlock Biosicences. “In addition to advancing our INSPECTR platform development to be as sensitive as gold-standard PCR tests, the funding will support our development of an over-the-counter disposable product, similar to an at-home pregnancy test, that can be used to detect SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Pending approval, we are on track to launch this product in mid-2021.”

INSPECTR, which stands for Internal Splint-Pairing Expression Cassette Translation Reaction,  uses synthetic biology to enable the creation of instrument-free diagnostic tests that can be conducted at home, at room temperature. INSPECTR can be adapted to work on a simple paper strip test or to provide an electrochemical readout that can be read with a mobile phone. It can also be adapted for use in laboratory or point-of-care settings. By decentralizing testing, INSPECTR has the potential to dramatically change health outcomes for people all over the world, mitigating the spread of disease and helping patients make vital health decisions sooner.

“By creating the very first diagnostic tests that do not require complex instruments and can be deployed anywhere, especially in low-resource settings, Sherlock is poised to make a wide-ranging and powerful impact on health outcomes,” said James J. Collins, co-founder and board member of Sherlock Biosciences and Termeer Professor of Medical Engineering and Science for MIT’s Institute for Medical Engineering and Science (IMES) and Department of Biological Engineering. “We are delighted by the support of the Gates Foundation to develop these tests, which we believe will contribute to earlier disease detection, faster intervention and the elimination of epidemics worldwide.”

About Sherlock Biosciences

Sherlock Biosciences is dedicated to making molecular diagnostics better, faster and more affordable through Engineering Biology platforms. The company is developing applications of SHERLOCK™, a CRISPR-based method to detect and quantify specific genetic sequences, and INSPECTR^TM, a Synthetic Biology-based molecular diagnostics platform that is instrument-free. SHERLOCK and INSPECTR can be used in virtually any setting without complex instrumentation, opening up a wide range of potential applications in areas including precision oncology, infection identification, food safety, at-home tests, and disease detection in the field. In May 2020, the company received Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its Sherlock™ CRISPR SARS-CoV-2 kit, the first FDA-authorized use of CRISPR technology. For more information visit Sherlock.bio. 

Contact

Katie Engleman, 1AB

katie@1abmedia.com

Developed in Partnership with Rosetta Biosciences, Discovery Enables Simultaneous Detection of Multiple Targets, Furthering Next Generation of Diagnostics

Cambridge, Mass., December 7, 2020 – Sherlock Biosciences, an Engineering Biology company dedicated to making diagnostic testing better, faster and more affordable, today announced the discovery of novel thermostable CRISPR-associated (Cas) enzymes in partnership with researchers at Rosetta Biosciences. Thermostable Cas proteins enable real-time detection of RNA and/or DNA targets and, when used in tandem with Sherlock’s licensed Cas12 and Cas13 enzymes, advance the simultaneous detection of multiple RNA and/or DNA targets in a single test—a process known as multiplexing.

“Our additions to Sherlock’s CRISPR platform advance the ability to rapidly program and develop diagnostics that are capable of detecting many targets in a single test,” said William J. Blake, Ph.D., chief technology officer at Sherlock Biosciences. “With the discovery of these novel Cas enzymes, we have upgraded our CRISPR toolkit with thermostable options that will have broad utility for the development of our SHERLOCK™ platform, including in point-of-care settings.”

Developed by company co-founders and licensed exclusively from the Broad Institute, SHERLOCK (Specific High-sensitivity Enzymatic Reporter unLOCKing) is a method for smart amplicon detection. When specific sequences of DNA and/or RNA are present, the CRISPR enzymes are activated and, much like a pair of scissors, start cutting nearby genetic material, releasing a fluorescent signal that indicates a positive result. The first application of SHERLOCK technology is the Sherlock™ CRISPR SARS-CoV-2 test kit, marking the first FDA-authorized use of CRISPR technology.

“We were incredibly excited to work with the team at Sherlock Biosciences to apply our AI engine and protein design platform to develop a strong pipeline of novel Cas enzymes,” said Chengwei Luo, PhD, CEO at Rosetta Biosciences. “Maintaining performance by allowing amplification and detection in a single reaction, these novel CRISPR-Cas enzymes enable real-time detection with high sensitivity and specificity—key features for broad application across a wide range of diagnostic needs.”

“Not only is the discovery of these new Cas enzymes important as we continue to improve performance of our SHERLOCK technology; it is also a remarkable testament to the ingenuity of the Sherlock team and our in-house capabilities to identify and validate novel CRISPR-Cas systems that could lead to a new generation of diagnostics,” said Rahul Dhanda, co-founder, president and CEO of Sherlock Biosciences. “We are grateful for Rosetta Biosciences’ partnership and look forward to sharing more information about our discovery as we advance more products to improve diagnostic testing.”

About Sherlock Biosciences

Sherlock Biosciences is dedicated to making molecular diagnostics better, faster and more affordable through Engineering Biology platforms. The company is developing applications of SHERLOCK™, a CRISPR-based method to detect and quantify specific genetic sequences, and INSPECTR^TM, a Synthetic Biology-based molecular diagnostics platform that is instrument-free. SHERLOCK and INSPECTR can be used in virtually any setting without complex instrumentation, opening up a wide range of potential applications in areas including precision oncology, infection identification, food safety, at-home tests and disease detection in the field. In May 2020, the company received Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its Sherlock™ CRISPR SARS-CoV-2 kit, the first FDA-authorized use of CRISPR technology. For more information, visit Sherlock.bio. 

Contact

Katie Engleman, 1AB

katie@1abmedia.com

Exclusive Rights to Cas12 and Cas13 Maintains Sherlock Biosciences as Leading CRISPR Diagnostic Manufacturer, While Providing Partners with the Most Comprehensive Portfolio of Diagnostic CRISPR Enzymes

Cambridge, Mass., December 4, 2020 —Sherlock Biosciences, an Engineering Biology company dedicated to making diagnostic testing better, faster and more affordable, today announced exclusive license agreements with Shanghai-based Tolo Biotech. Tolo has granted Sherlock exclusive rights in the United States to its CRISPR-Cas12 (including Cas12a and Cas12b) diagnostic technology, and Sherlock has granted Tolo exclusive rights to the CRISPR-Cas13 SHERLOCK™ diagnostic platform in Greater China. Financial details have not been disclosed.

“We are very pleased to enter this agreement with Tolo, which complements Sherlock’s diagnostic rights to the Cas12 and Cas13 proteins licensed from the Broad Institute,” said Rahul Dhanda, co-founder, president and CEO of Sherlock Biosciences. “With the addition of these exclusive Cas12 rights to Sherlock’s IP portfolio, as well as partnering with Tolo as our exclusive partner in China, we have secured our position as the global leader in CRISPR diagnostics.”

“The advent of CRISPR technology is ushering in the next generation of molecular diagnostics,” said Jin Wang, co-founder and chief science officer of Tolo Biotech. “This agreement with Sherlock will enable both companies to develop diagnostic tools that can detect multiple pathogens or targets, improving disease screening, precision medicine and beyond. Tolo highly values this opportunity for close collaboration with Sherlock to promote the development of CRISPR diagnostics.”

The SHERLOCK diagnostic platform can achieve  single molecule detection of nucleic acid targets; its name stands for Specific High Sensitivity Enzymatic Reporter unLOCKing. SHERLOCK utilizes CRISPR activity for “smart amplicon detection” and can be adapted for use with existing diagnostic instruments, improving time to result due to its significant multiplexing capacity. When a specific sequence of DNA or RNA is present, a CRISPR enzyme is activated and, much like a pair of scissors, starts cutting nearby genetic material, releasing a fluorescent signal that indicates a positive result. In May 2020, Sherlock received Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its Sherlock™ CRISPR SARS-CoV-2 kit, the first FDA-authorized use of CRISPR technology.

About Sherlock Biosciences

Sherlock Biosciences is dedicated to making molecular diagnostics better, faster and more affordable through Engineering Biology platforms. The company is developing applications of SHERLOCK™, a CRISPR-based method to detect and quantify specific genetic sequences, and INSPECTR™, a Synthetic Biology-based molecular diagnostics platform that is instrument free. SHERLOCK and INSPECTR can be used in virtually any setting without complex instrumentation, opening up a wide range of potential applications in areas including precision oncology, infection identification and food safety. At-home and other on-site field test formats are a particular focus of Sherlock’s work. For more information visit Sherlock.bio.

About Tolo Biotech

Tolo Biotech (based in Shanghai, China) aims to provide cutting-edge solutions for molecular diagnostics. The company recently developed the CRISPR-Cas12-based HOLMES platform, and is now promoting its application in areas such as POCT, food safety and home use testing. For more information visit www.tolobio.com.

Media Contact:
Katie Engleman
1AB
katie@1abmedia.com

Cambridge, Mass., November 20, 2020 – Sherlock Biosciences, an Engineering Biology company dedicated to making diagnostic testing better, faster and more affordable, has been chosen as a winner of Red Herring’s Top 100 North America award, one of the technology industry’s most prestigious prizes. Red Herring announced the winners of its Top 100 North America 2020 event yesterday, recognizing the continent’s most exciting and innovative private technology companies.

The winners have been chosen from thousands of entrants, whittled down to hundreds presenting their companies at the virtual conference on November 17^th and 18^th. The event, led by Red Herring chairman Alex Vieux, included two days of keynote speeches, discussions and finalist presentations.

“The Sherlock team is honored to be chosen as a winner of the Red Herring Top 100 award. This award recognizes our team’s ability to create the best solutions for diagnostic testing that will be performed wherever testing is needed.” said Rahul Dhanda, co-founder, president and CEO of Sherlock Biosciences. “As we continue to develop products to address COVID-19 and more, we look forward to additional milestones that will improve global health.”

Industry experts, insiders and journalists on a wide variety of criteria including financial performance, innovation, business strategy, and market penetration judged companies. Winners ran the gamut of verticals, from FinTech and Artificial Intelligence to Security, IoT, and many more industries.

Red Herring’s editors have been evaluating the world’s startups and tech companies for over two decades. It gives them the ability to see through the industry’s hype to pick firms that will continue on a trajectory to success. Brands such as Alibaba, Kakao, Skype, Spotify, Twitter and YouTube have all been singled out in Red Herring’s storied history.

“2020’s crop of Top 100 winners has been among our most intriguing yet,” said Vieux. “North America has led the way in tech for so many years, and to see such unique, pioneering entrepreneurs and companies here, which is in many ways the heartland of the industry, has been a thrilling experience.

“What has excited me most is to see so many people forging niches in high-tech and cutting edge sectors,” added Vieux. “Some of the technical wizardry and first-rate business models showcased at the conference has been fantastic to learn about. We believe Sherlock Biosciences embodies the drive, skill and passion on which tech thrives. Sherlock should be proud of its achievement – the competition was incredibly strong.”

About Sherlock Biosciences

Sherlock Biosciences is dedicated to making molecular diagnostics better, faster and more affordable through Engineering Biology platforms. The company is developing applications of SHERLOCK™, a CRISPR-based method to detect and quantify specific genetic sequences, and INSPECTR™, a Synthetic Biology-based molecular diagnostics platform that is instrument-free. SHERLOCK and INSPECTR can be used in virtually any setting without complex instrumentation, opening up a wide range of potential applications in areas including precision oncology, infection identification, food safety, at-home tests, and disease detection in the field. In May 2020, the company received Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its Sherlock™ CRISPR SARS-CoV-2 kit, the first FDA-authorized use of CRISPR technology. For more information visit Sherlock.bio.

Contact

Katie Engleman, 1AB

katie@1abmedia.com