BRAIN Biotech, a German provider of specialty enzymes and biological solutions, announced that the European Patent Office granted a patent for its CRISPR-BMC nuclease technology, designated as EP4301852 B1. This patent covers a novel family of CRISPR nucleases called BMC® (BRAIN Metagenome Cas), which are capable of generating efficient double-strand breaks in the genomes of both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells at specific locations. These breaks facilitate targeted genetic modifications, allowing for the alteration of organism properties.
The technology's ability to edit a wide range of organisms—including bacteria, yeasts, fungi, plants, and mammalian cells—positions it as a versatile tool for industrial applications. BRAIN Biotech utilizes this technology to optimize microbial production strains, such as E. coli, Bacillus, Pichia, and Aspergillus, for the production of biomolecules like enzymes, proteins, and small molecules. The patent, effective since March 18, 2026, in European Unitary Patent countries, Great Britain, and Switzerland, with pending applications in other key regions like the USA and Japan, enhances the company's freedom to use the technology in research and customer projects.
Adriaan Moelker, CEO of BRAIN Biotech, stated that the patent protection supports a business model aimed at making manufacturing processes using microorganisms more cost-effective. He noted that the CRISPR-BMC nucleases complement the company's already patented CRISPR-BEC nucleases, both developed through the BRAINBioIncubator. Alexander Pelzer, Head of R&D at BRAIN Biotech Zwingenberg, emphasized that the technology accelerates strain development due to its speed and precision, leveraging decades of molecular biology and microbiology expertise.
The patent opens significant commercial potential through licensing, with BRAIN Biotech already granting licenses to companies in various fields and planning to expand these activities. This development is important as it could lead to more efficient and sustainable bioprocesses in industries such as food and life sciences, potentially reducing costs and environmental impact. For more information on BRAIN Biotech's broader initiatives, visit https://www.brain-biotech-group.com. The company's focus on strain optimization aligns with its role in developing scalable bioprocesses, as detailed on its technologies site at https://www.brain-biotech.com.
