TLDR:
- Flagship Pioneering invests $50 million in synthetic protein startup, Abiologics, to overcome limitations of natural biologics.
- Abiologics uses chemically identical mirror images of standard amino acids to create more stable synthetic peptides called Synteins.
Flagship Pioneering has invested $50 million in Abiologics, a synthetic protein startup that aims to address the limitations of natural proteins and peptides. The biotech utilizes chemically identical mirror images of standard amino acids to create synthetic peptides known as Synteins, which are designed to be unrecognized by the immune system, allowing for less frequent dosing, oral delivery, and access to previously untreatable parts of the body. The platform developed by Abiologics, led by CEO Avak Kahvejian, Ph.D., leverages predictable folding rules of natural proteins to design digital blueprints for synthetic molecules using artificial building blocks such as D-amino acids. This approach has the potential to revolutionize the field of protein therapeutics by offering a more stable alternative to traditional biologics. Other biotechs like Pearl Bio and GRO Biosciences are also exploring similar platforms for creating proteins beyond the 20 naturally occurring amino acids, showcasing a growing interest in this innovative area of research.
