Cambridge, Mass., March 9, 2020 —

Sherlock Biosciences, an Engineering Biology company dedicated to making diagnostic testing better, faster and more affordable, today announced that it has been named by FierceMedTech as one of 2019’s class of Fierce 15, designating it as one of the most promising private companies in the industry.

Sherlock is using Engineering Biology tools, including CRISPR and Synthetic Biology, to create a new generation of molecular diagnostics that can rapidly deliver accurate and inexpensive results for a vast range of needs in virtually any setting.  Sherlock’s mission is to address significant unmet needs in infectious disease, oncology, agriculture and other areas to transform diagnostic testing and global public health. The company takes its name from one of its foundational platform technologies, SHERLOCK™ (Specific High-sensitivity Enzymatic Reporter unLOCKing), a CRISPR-based method for single molecule detection of nucleic acid targets that can be adapted to work on a simple paper strip test, in laboratory equipment, or to provide an electrochemical readout that can be read with a mobile phone. The company is also developing INSPECTR™ (INternal Splint-Pairing Expression Cassette Translation Reaction), a Synthetic Biology-based molecular diagnostics platform that can be programmed to distinguish targets based on a single nucleotide on a paper strip or any other common diagnostic format at room temperature without an instrument.

“We launched Sherlock one year ago with the vision to have a positive impact on human health, including in low-resource settings, where rapid diagnostic testing has the potential to transform lives through better health care and safer food and water,” said Rahul Dhanda, Sherlock’s co-founder, president and CEO. “It’s an honor to be recognized as a ‘Fierce 15’ company, which we believe is a testament to our remarkable team developing fast, reliable and more affordable diagnostic testing that can be deployed anywhere molecular diagnostics are needed.”

The Fierce 15 celebrates the spirit of being “fierce”—championing innovation and creativity, even in the face of intense competition. This is FierceMedTech’s 8^th annual Fierce 15 selection. This year’s full list can be viewed at: https://www.fiercebiotech.com/special-report/fiercemedtech-s-2019-fierce-15

“One of the true joys of covering this field is being able to talk with the people driving the next great medical advancements—technologies that may not just change a patient or parent’s life, but also the day-to-day work of clinicians, surgeons, researchers and developers themselves,” said Conor Hale, associate editor of FierceMedTech. “Potential breakthroughs such as these can ripple into new therapies, procedures and interventions, and ultimately more ways to heal more people.”

An internationally recognized daily report reaching a network of over 90,000 medtech industry professionals, FierceMedTech provides subscribers with an authoritative analysis of the day’s top stories. Every year FierceMedTech evaluates hundreds of private companies from around the world for its annual Fierce 15 list, which is based on a variety of factors such as the strength of its technology, partnerships, venture backers and competitive market position.

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. For more information visit Sherlock.bio. 

 About FierceMedTech

FierceMedTech keeps biopharma executives, device developers, engineers, and researchers updated on the must-know news, trends and developments in medical technology. More than 90,000 top industry professionals rely on FierceMedTech for an insider briefing on the day’s top stories.

About Questex

Questex helps people live better and longer. Questex brings people together in the markets that help people live better: travel, hospitality and wellness; the industries that help people live longer: life science and healthcare; and the technologies that enable and fuel these new experiences. We live in the experience economy—connecting our ecosystem through live events, surrounded by data insights and digital communities. We deliver experience and real results. It happens here.

CONTACTS:

Rebecca Willumson
Questex, FierceMedTech
202-824-5050
rwillumson@questex.com

Katie Engleman
1AB, Sherlock Biosciences
katie@1abmedia.com

SUNNYVALE, CALIF., and CAMBRIDGE, MASS., February 28, 2020 —

Cepheid and Sherlock Biosciences today announced a research collaboration between the two companies to explore the development of new cutting-edge molecular diagnostic tests. Leveraging Sherlock Biosciences’ engineering biology platform, SHERLOCK^™, a CRISPR-based technology that can identify virtually any genetic target, new tests could be designed to run on Cepheid’s GeneXpert^® Systems. The collaboration will focus on molecular diagnostic tests for infectious diseases and oncology, beginning with a proof-of-concept project focused on detection of coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2).

“This partnership will allow us to explore utilizing Cepheid’s easy-to use-cartridge to further develop targeted molecular tests that better address outbreak scenarios,” said David H. Persing, M.D., Ph.D., Cepheid’s Chief Medical and Technology Officer. “With a global installed base of over 23,000 GeneXpert Systems, this technology could potentially be applied in multiple settings where actionable treatment information is needed quickly.”

The companies plan to jointly pursue grant opportunities to further push development of newer molecular diagnostic tests to allow future GeneXpert users access to expanded test menu and capabilities. The companies may pursue opportunities in infectious diseases and oncology, including exploring how better to address outbreak scenarios.

“SHERLOCK is an ideal platform for rapid response and development for any global outbreak, while also a powerful tool for affordable and rapid molecular diagnostic testing for routine assays,” said Rahul Dhanda, Sherlock’s Co-Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer. “We are excited to work on bringing our breakthrough CRISPR technology to Cepheid’s revolutionary GeneXpert platform, which should enable our companies to provide potential diagnostic solutions for a range of applications including infectious diseases and oncology. Initially, we will explore the compatibility of our technologies for coronavirus detection, while pursuing a broad set of solutions that enable users to make more effective decisions in both clinical and non-clinical settings worldwide.” 

About GeneXpert Systems and Xpert Tests

The GeneXpert System’s modular configuration makes it the most scalable molecular diagnostic system available, offering the ability to perform from one to eighty Xpert^® tests at the same time. The Xpert test menu spans healthcare-associated infections, sexual health, critical infectious disease, and oncology — offering 28 tests outside the United States, and 20 tests in the United States.

About Cepheid

Based in Sunnyvale, Calif., Cepheid a leading molecular diagnostics company that is dedicated to improving healthcare by developing, manufacturing, and marketing accurate yet easy-to-use molecular systems and tests. By automating highly complex and time-consuming manual procedures, the company’s solutions deliver a better way for institutions of any size to perform sophisticated genetic testing for organisms and genetic-based diseases. Through its strong molecular biology capabilities, the company is focusing on those applications where accurate, rapid, and actionable test results can impact patients most, such as managing infectious diseases and cancer. For more information, visit http://www.cepheid.com.

About the SHERLOCK™ Platform

The SHERLOCK^™ platform enables the development of diagnostics that are better, faster and more affordable, which could diagnose virtually any disease rapidly, accurately, inexpensively and without the need of complex lab instruments, allowing for actionable results in virtually any setting.

SHERLOCK^™ (Specific High Sensitivity Enzymatic Reporter unlocking) platform is an evolution of CRISPR, a powerful technology used to make precise edits in genetic code. SHERLOCK leverages CRISPR-Cas12 and Cas13 to detect the unique genetic fingerprints of virtually any DNA or RNA sequence in any organism or pathogen.

Developed by company co-founders and licensed exclusively from the Broad Institute, SHERLOCK is a method for single molecule detection of nucleic acid targets. By programming a CRISPR molecule to detect the presence of a specific genetic signature in a sample or amplified target, SHERLOCK enables single molecule detection with high accuracy. When it finds those signatures, the CRISPR enzyme is activated and releases a robust signal. This signal can be adapted to work on a simple paper strip test, in laboratory equipment, or to provide an electrochemical readout that can be read with a mobile phone. 

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. For more information visit Sherlock.bio.

For Cepheid Media Inquiries:
Darwa Peterson
darwa.peterson@cepheid.com

For Sherlock Biosciences Media Inquiries:
dan@1abmedia.com

Cambridge, Mass., December 2, 2019—Sherlock Biosciences, an Engineering Biology company dedicated to making diagnostic testing better, faster and more affordable, today announced that it will attend the following two conferences in December:

• Evercore ISI HealthCONx Conference 2019: Rahul Dhanda, Sherlock Co-Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer will present a corporate overview on Thursday, Dec. 5 at 8:45 a.m. ET, in Boston, Mass.

• Cell Free Systems Conference 2019: Will Blake, Ph.D., Sherlock Chief Technology Officer, is serving as co-chair of the first U.S. conference on cell-free systems, which will be held Dec. 4 – 6, 2019, at the Hyatt Regency in Boston, Mass.

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. For more information visit Sherlock.bio.

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

• Collaboration facilitated by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation through an expansion of an existing grant to Mologic
• Combines expertise in nucleic acid sensing with high-sensitivity lateral flow to develop simple, sophisticated molecular diagnostics for use at point of need, including low resource and home settings  
• Mologic to expand presence in Cambridge, Mass., U.S.

Cambridge, Mass., and Bedfordshire, UK, October 30, 2019 – Sherlock Biosciences (“Sherlock”), an Engineering Biology company dedicated to making diagnostic testing better, faster and more affordable, and Mologic Ltd, a leading developer of lateral flow and rapid diagnostic technologies, today announced a new collaboration to revolutionize molecular diagnostic testing in low-resource settings and within the home. The work is being facilitated by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation through an expansion of an existing grant to Mologic. Through the partnership, Mologic will expand its presence in Cambridge, Mass., as part of a joint development center that will be built within Sherlock’s lab space. The companies will combine Sherlock’s core synthetic biology platform with Mologic’s advanced lateral flow expertise to develop simple, sophisticated molecular diagnostics for use at the point of need.

Supporting endeavors to create a new field of molecular diagnostics and facilitate more targeted therapies, the funding from the Gates Foundation will bolster efforts to leverage Sherlock’s synthetic biology-based INSPECTR^TM platform and Mologic’s core immunoassay platforms—ELTABA for enzyme activity detection, and CARD, the high sensitivity lateral flow technology developed at Mologic’s Centre for Advanced Rapid Diagnostics. This work will advance affordable, universal detection platforms that will detect DNA or RNA targets in virtually any decentralized site, including low-resource settings and home-based testing. Mologic established its CARD platform with prior funding and support from the Gates Foundation.

This collaboration will enable Mologic to expand its presence in the U.S., where it has already established a New England subsidiary. By building out a joint development space with equipment and staff, Mologic will establish full immunoassay research and development capabilities and enhance its ability to provide service and support to its U.S.-based partners.

“Our INSPECTR platform was designed to be the very first low-cost, rapid, instrument-free molecular diagnostic system to truly address diagnostic needs where solutions do not exist today, especially in low-resource and home settings,” said Rahul K. Dhanda, Sherlock’s Co-Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer. “This program will enable us to build on the power of our INSPECTR platform to create diagnostic tools that provide accurate and affordable results in virtually any setting, while working with Mologic and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to develop lateral flow technology to improve global health.”

“We believe there is a unique and powerful synergy between Mologic and Sherlock, and we are delighted to have the Gates Foundation support our efforts to combine our first- and best-in-class technology platforms for nucleic acid sensing, super-antibody engineering, ultra-sensitive lateral flow assays, and enzyme activity detection,” said Mark Davis, Mologic’s Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder. “By leveraging both companies’ core technologies, we believe we can create extremely sensitive diagnostic tests that produce results with unprecedented speed, without requiring instrumentation, thermal amplification or electricity.”

Rahul K. Dhanda, Sherlock’s Co-Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer	Mark Davis, Mologic’s Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder

About INSPECTR

Sherlock Biosciences’ INSPECTR™ (Internal Splint-Pairing Expression Cassette Translation Reaction) platform leverages the power of Synthetic Biology by using cell-free systems as programmable molecular diagnostic devices. INSPECTR enables the creation of instrument-free, simple-to-operate diagnostic tests that can be applied across multiple diseases and used in a variety of settings.

About ELTABA

Mologic’s patented enzymatic activity platform ELTABA (Enzymatic Ligand Transformation Affinity Binding Assay) enables highly specific and sensitive measurement of enzymes outside of the laboratory and in the hands of untrained users. The system works by detecting substrate cleavage sites with a specific antibody that is captured and developed in a traditional lateral flow immunoassay format. This technology enables amplification of signal and a more specific interaction compared to simple antigen detection.

About CARD

Mologic’s Centre for Advanced Rapid Diagnostics (CARD) was established in 2016 with support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to redefine and re-engineer the critical components of the lateral flow immunoassay. In 2018, CARD succeeded with the aim of developing a rapid, ultra-sensitive, visually read and electricity free detection platform. First demonstrated with malaria and HIV as exemplars, the step change improvements in lateral flow technology resulted from improvements to the engineering of super-antibodies, the deployment of a novel nanoparticle as an alternative to gold, and innovations in assay choreography and smart design. The CARD platform is now being deployed across Mologic’s internal portfolio and for external clients through its services division.

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. For more information visit Sherlock.bio.

About Mologic www.mologic.co.uk

Mologic is a leading developer of advanced lateral flow and rapid diagnostic technologies. Leveraging its core technology platforms, the Company works with global organizations, researchers and clinicians to help them deliver fast, reliable and accurate diagnosis at the point-of-care. Mologic’s founder, Professor Paul Davis, was the originator of the Clearblue pregnancy test that was launched in 1988 as the world’s first commercial application of lateral flow technology. The creativity, insight and knowledge that led to that ground-breaking invention has guided Mologic since its formation in 2003.

Mologic offers world-leading technology and scientific research expertise for contract research and development, alongside a portfolio of device and reagent products for clinical and commercial applications. The Company also helps organizations to scale-up manufacturing from initial prototyping through low to mid-scale production. Mologic’s science has broad application across markets and disease states where rapid, accurate point-of-care testing can help make a difference in patient care and patient outcomes.

The Company is actively seeking strategic partners for its internal pipeline of respiratory, infection, infectious disease and women’s health diagnostics.

Mologic is headquartered in Bedford in the United Kingdom and has a US subsidiary in the greater Boston area, MA, USA. Mologic is backed by London based venture capital funders Calculus Capital and Foresight Group.

Media Contacts:
For Sherlock Biosciences
Katie Engleman,1AB
katie@1abmedia.com

For Mologic 
Sarah Jeffery, Zyme Communications
sarah.jeffery@zymecommunications.com
+44 (0)7771 730919

Cambridge, Mass., September 26, 2019—Sherlock Biosciences, an Engineering Biology company dedicated to making diagnostic testing better, faster and more affordable, today announced it has been awarded funding from the U.S. Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) to develop a rapid response platform for ultra-fast, ultra-sensitive and field-deployable diagnostics. Sherlock, the sole awardee, will leverage the power of its CRISPR- and Synthetic Biology-based platforms to create diagnostic tools that enable members of the military to rapidly identify biothreats and infectious disease agents.

“We are delighted to be recognized by DTRA for the advanced state of our technology and development efforts. This support will further our mission to harness the power of CRISPR and synthetic biology to develop diagnostic tools that enable effective decision making in any environment at any time,” said Rahul K. Dhanda, Sherlock’s co-founder, president and CEO. “This funding will enable our team to continue to make important progress advancing our platform, while also addressing an urgent need to rapidly identify pathogenic agents and other biothreats.”

The multiyear grant will accelerate the company’s development of infectious disease diagnostic tests for decentralized settings, such as the battlefield. Further, the support will help the company refine its deep learning and bioinformatics tools for rapid definition and deployment of molecular diagnostic tests.

“When we published the call for a new class of rapid diagnostics, we were optimistic that we would identify both a technology and an organization that could deliver a significant leap forward in testing for biothreat and battlefield settings through initiatives driven by the Defense Innovation Unit,” said Charles Hong, a science and technology manager for the Detection and Diagnostics Division at DTRA. “We are pleased to support Sherlock in its efforts to create novel CRISPR- and synthetic biology-based diagnostic tests that will be sensitive, fast and easily deployable in any setting.”

The Defense Innovation Unit identifies commercial industry solutions to support the U.S. military, and through this process, the organization facilitated finding a new class of rapid diagnostic solutions on behalf of DTRA.

“This funding provides important validation for the versatility of Sherlock’s platform, and our ability to develop simple, impactful diagnostic tools that can be applied in field-based settings,” said William Blake, Ph.D., Sherlock’s chief technology officer. “We are grateful to DTRA for this award and look forward to working with the agency in support of their mission to enable rapid responses to potential threats and crises.”  

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. For more information visit Sherlock.bio. 

About DTRA

The Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), an agency within the United States Department of Defense (DoD), is the official Combat Support Agency for countering weapons of mass destruction (chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and high explosives). The Defense Threat Reduction Agency enables DoD, the U.S. government, and international partners to counter and deter weapons of mass destruction and improvised threat networks. Under the auspice of the Chemical and Biological Defense Program, DTRA has the responsibility to manage and integrate the DoD chemical and biological defense science and technology programs. DTRA’s continued effort to enhance the combat support mission also advances public health services by developing innovative technologies that protect against biological threats. For more information, visit www.dtra.mil.

About Defense Innovation Unit

DIU strengthens our national security by increasing the adoption of commercial technology throughout the military and growing the national security innovation base.  Learn more about DIU at www.diu.mil. 

Media Contact:

Katie Engleman
1AB
katie@1abmedia.com

New investors increase total committed capital to $49 million while providing additional expertise in diagnostics and Artificial Intelligence

 Funding will further support efforts to disrupt diagnostics using CRISPR and Synthetic Biology platforms, SHERLOCK^TM and INSPECTR^TM

Cambridge, Mass., April 23, 2019—Sherlock Biosciences, an Engineering Biology company dedicated to making diagnostic testing better, faster, and more affordable, today announced the close of its Series A round, with a total investment of over $31 million from Northpond Ventures, Baidu Ventures, the Open Philanthropy Project, and other investors. The additional funds bring Sherlock’s total committed capital to $49 million, which includes a $17.5 million non-dilutive grant from the Open Philanthropy Project.

Sherlock launched in March to leverage the power of Engineering Biology tools, including CRISPR and Synthetic Biology, to create a new generation of molecular diagnostics that can rapidly deliver accurate and inexpensive results for a vast range of needs in virtually any setting. Potential applications include oncology, infectious disease, low-resource settings, agriculture, and at-home testing. The additional investors bring significant strategic value, as well as relevant experience in Deep Learning and Artificial Intelligence that will enhance Sherlock’s products and their impact on molecular diagnostics.

“We are delighted to have the backing of Northpond Ventures, Baidu Ventures, and our additional investors as we advance our core technologies to develop better, faster, more accurate diagnostic tests,” said Rahul K. Dhanda, Sherlock’s co-founder, president and CEO. “Their support will be vital as we work to harness and direct the power of our SHERLOCK and INSPECTR platforms to develop rapid and more effective diagnostic tests through Engineering Biology and Deep Learning tools that can be performed anywhere, such as testing in the field or home.”

The funds will be used to advance development programs for Sherlock’s core platform technologies. These include SHERLOCK (Specific High-sensitivity Enzymatic Reporter unLOCKing), a method for identifying specific sequences of genetic material in a sample using CRISPR; and INSPECTR (INternal Splint-Pairing Expression Cassette Translation Reaction), which can be programmed to distinguish targets based on a single nucleotide at room temperature, without laboratory equipment. Both platform technologies are simple and easy to use without complex instruments, in virtually any setting, and can be used separately or together to provide accurate, rapid, and affordable results.

“Sherlock’s vision is to transform diagnostics worldwide, from helping to control disease in low resource settings, to speeding up and making testing more affordable in the U.S., to providing the agricultural industry with new ways to manage their products and improve food safety,” said Michael P. Rubin, M.D., Ph.D., founder and CEO of Northpond Ventures.  “We are extremely excited by the breadth of potential applications that Sherlock’s platforms will unlock and look forward to working together to accelerate the development of better tests.”

Baidu Ventures will provide expertise in Deep Learning as Sherlock refines and expands the capabilities of its two core technology platforms.

“With SHERLOCK and INSPECTR, Sherlock is poised to make a significant impact on the diagnostic testing industry,” said Saman Farid, partner and head of the U.S. team at Baidu Ventures. “We are excited to work with the Sherlock team, which includes world-leading experts in CRISPR and Synthetic Biology, experienced scientists, and industry veterans, to incorporate Artificial Intelligence into the design of its diagnostic tests and fulfill the promise of these exciting technologies.”

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. For more information visit Sherlock.bio.

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