Mirimus

About Mirimus

Mirimus operates as a biotechnology company specializing in genetic engineering technologies to create advanced research and clinical tools. Founded in 2010, the firm emerged from scientific work conducted at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, and Harvard Medical School. The founders include a group of accomplished scientists: Prem Premsrirut, who serves as President and CEO, Stephen Elledge, Scott Lowe, Christof Fellmann, and Gregory Hannon. Dr. Premsrirut, with an MD/PhD background in genetics and cancer biology, has guided the company in leveraging its RNA interference (RNAi) and CRISPR/Cas9 platforms.

The company's business model is structured around three main pillars: Drug Discovery, Diagnostics, and Therapeutics. For its drug discovery clients, primarily biopharmaceutical companies, Mirimus serves as a preclinical contract research organization (CRO). It provides custom genetically engineered animal models (both mouse and rat) and 3D cell models that allow researchers to study diseases and test the efficacy of new drugs with greater precision. Revenue is generated through these preclinical services and strategic collaborations, such as a partnership with Biogen to develop RNAi-based therapeutics for neurological diseases. The firm's proprietary techniques for creating RNAi constructs aim to improve potency and reduce off-target effects in preclinical evaluations.

A significant milestone for Mirimus was its pivot during the COVID-19 pandemic. The company developed SalivaClear, a high-volume, saliva-based PCR testing platform. This effort, which involved performing millions of tests for schools and businesses, earned the company a grand prize in an XPRIZE competition. Mirimus is now redeploying revenues from its COVID-19 testing operations into research and development for new therapeutics and lower-cost diagnostic approaches for chronic diseases. The company also offers the Immune Index™ COVID-19 antibody test and a combined PCR test for flu, COVID-19, and RSV, serving healthcare providers and facilities like nursing homes.