Start-ups pursue precision antibiotics

Abstract

As the antibiotic-resistance crisis looms, scientists are looking for new ways to combat superbugs. In response, investors are backing a bevy of companies developing so-called precision antibiotics designed to kill a single species—or even a specific strain—of harmful bacteria, while leaving the harmless and helpful bacteria in our bodies unscathed. The start-ups are turning to technologies such as CRISPR gene editing, viral-based gene therapy, and antisense oligonucleotides for gene knockdown. Those tools have largely been reserved for treating rare genetic diseases. Companies such as Denmark’s Snipr Biome hope to change that. “Everyone was focused on the great things you could do with gene editing in mice and men,” says Christian Grondahl, CEO and cofounder of Snipr, which recently raised $50 million in series A financing. Snipr is applying the principles of CRISPR gene editing to make antibiotics. CRISPR gene editing uses a bacteria-derived Cas enzyme to cut DNA at a