DNAmic Biosystems joins the more than 100 companies that make up the business area of the Scienc Park of the University of Valencia. The company will be located in the new Innovation Building of the Universitat and opens a new stage in Valencia after two years of activity in California (USA).
DNAmic Biosystems is a pre-clinical biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the development of pioneering technologies in vivo-directed and programmable cell engineering to treat a wide variety of diseases. Its approach is based on the direct reprogramming of cells within the body itself, without the need for invasive procedures or genetic modifications.
DNAmic develops modular cell bioengineering platforms that allow the restoration or modification of cellular function without altering DNA or resorting to ex vivo therapies. Its technology is based on programmable nanoparticles of human origin, designed to transport therapeutic molecules to specific cells and reprogram them in vivo, either to reverse pathologies or endow them with new therapeutic functions. This approach has the potential to act on any cell, tissue or organ, and represents a breakthrough towards therapies that could treat virtually any disease.
Innovative technology in cellular engineering
"The challenge we face is to bring cell reprogramming from the laboratory to the human body, reducing time, costs and complexity. We are in the process of validating our platform to demonstrate its safety and effectiveness with a view to its clinical application", explains Jesús Beltrán, co-founder and scientific director of DNAmic.
The company also works on cell communication technologies, such as RNA generalization, investigating how cells interpret and use therapeutic molecules, their duration in the organism and their cellular specificity.
"Since DNAmic we are able to carry out the reprogramming of directly inside the body, something that currently only happens in laboratories, it takes a long time and is also extremely expensive. Therefore, we are currently trying to validate the platform, demonstrate that it is safe and efficient to give it a clinical applicability", Jesús Beltrán, co-founder and scientific director of DNAmic
Multidisciplinary team and growth in Valencia
DNAmic is made up of a team of four people: Alfonso Fiz, co-founder and executive director; Jesús Beltrán, PhD, co-founder and scientific director; José Aparicio, PhD, pre-clinical research director; and Pedro Fernández, legal director. The arrival at the UV Science Park marks the beginning of a new phase focused on the growth and clinical validation of its technology.
"The Science Park offers us a dynamic environment, with access to good equipment and collaboration with other companies, which is allowing us to move forward with greater agility than in the United States," adds Beltrán.
Team of DNAmic Biosystems: Alfonso Fiz, co-founder and executive director; Jesús Beltrán, PhD, co-founder and scientific director; José Aparicio, PhD, director of preclinical research. Photo: DNAmic
Therapeutic applications in oncology, infectious and autoimmune diseases
Currently in the preclinical phase, DNAmic develops CAR-T therapies in vivo aimed at treating cancers, including leukemias and solid tumors, considered to be among the most difficult to address. Its platform allows for direct reprogramming of the patient’s T lymphocytes without cell extraction, improving efficiency and reducing toxicity. They are exploring applications in refractory B-cell leukemia and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
In the field of infectious diseases, they are working on a broad-spectrum technology that they define as a "penicillin against viruses", focused on reprogramming macrophages to detect and eliminate pathogens in incurable infections. Its first therapeutic model focuses on HIV, with the aim of eliminating both the virus and its reservoirs and achieving a functional cure. They are also investigating treatments for multi-resistant bacteria as an alternative to conventional antibiotics.
"In the United States it was very difficult to move forward and move, but at the Science Park we have a great environment with different companies and we have access to very good equipment. On a daily basis, operations are much more dynamic, much faster and are allowing us to grow much faster", Jesús Beltrán, co-founder of DNAmic and scientific director
In the field of autoimmune diseases, DNAmic explores precision immunological modulation solutions by reprogramming B, T and myeloid cells. The first applications include pathologies such as type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis, with the aim of stopping the progression of the disease while preserving the functionality of the immune system.
Research on ageing and regeneration
The company is investigating applications of its platform for cell regeneration associated with ageing. Its objectives include sarcopenia, promoting muscle regeneration, and neuroprotection against cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases, with a special interest in Alzheimer’s disease.
By joining the UV Science Park, DNAmic Biosystems reinforces its commitment to technological innovation in biomedicine and the development of disruptive therapies with global application.
Source: Own production