The spin-off company of the Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, Pompeu Fabra University (DCEXS-UPF) Integra Therapeutics recently received 4.5 million euros from different investors to develop the project over the next two years.
The company, which emerged from the DCEXS-UPF Translational Synthetic Biology Research Group, was founded by Marc Güell, group leader, and Avencia Sánchez-Mejías, postdoctoral researcher. Its aim is to “address the current limitations of gene editing” through the development of a gene writing platform with clinical applications.
“Thanks to the investors’ support we can continue to develop this technology with a high potential for curing diseases that currently have no treatment”
Avencia Sánchez-Mejías (DCEXS-UPF) founder and CEO of Integra Therapeutics
This is the Find Cut-and-Transfer (FiCAT) technology, which combines CRISPR and piggy Bac transposase (PB), which allows large DNA fragments to be inserted into the genome accurately and safely. Thus, the company seeks to develop advanced therapies for the prevention and treatment of genetic diseases and some types of cancer.
