Serif Biomedicines

The company was co-founded by Flagship Pioneering's CEO Noubar Afeyan, Flagship General Partner Geoffrey von Maltzahn, and Jacob Rubens, who also serves as Serif's CEO. Additional co-founders from Flagship include Principals Eric Keen and Louisa Helms. Serif's leadership is complemented by strategic advisors, including John Maraganore, former CEO of Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, and Rupert Vessey, Flagship's Chief Scientist.

Serif's core technology centers on creating modified DNA that aims to combine the durability of gene therapy with the programmability and redosable nature of mRNA treatments. The platform addresses key limitations of traditional DNA-based therapies, such as immunogenicity and inefficient delivery to the cell's nucleus. Its approach involves two main components: a modified DNA sequence that codes for a therapeutic protein and an mRNA sequence for "co-factors" that help the DNA enter the cell's nucleus. These components are delivered via lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), avoiding the viral vectors commonly used in gene therapy, which is intended to allow for repeat dosing. This technology stack also integrates AI-guided DNA sequence design to program cell-specific gene expression.

The company's business model focuses on developing a pipeline of therapeutic candidates, likely through a mix of wholly-owned assets and strategic partnerships. While specific drug candidates have not been disclosed, Serif's initial focus is on rare genetic diseases and immunology. Preclinical data from studies in non-human primates have shown tolerability and durable gene expression. The company, headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, aims to establish its modified DNA as a new therapeutic modality.