Sloning BioTechnology

Sloning BioTechnology GmbH, a German synthetic biology company, was established in December 2000 by researcher Octavian Schatz, who served as the initial CEO, and scientist Heinz Schwer, who took on the role of Scientific Director. The company's genesis was sparked by Schatz's concept for a new method of gene synthesis. Schwer, whose background included basic research in molecular biology and time at Harvard, brought scientific leadership to the venture. The company secured its first €1.5 million in seed funding in March 2001 and set up operations in Puchheim, near Munich. After a challenging start, including an early investor pulling out, the company found new support from Swiss HBM BioVentures in 2002. Schwer became CEO in 2005, and by 2007, Sloning had launched its first products.

Sloning BioTechnology developed a proprietary, fully-automated platform for synthesizing DNA molecules and gene mutant libraries. Its core technology, known as Slonomics™, enabled the precise and rapid construction of protein libraries by assembling defined mixtures of amino acids at specific positions. This was achieved using a library of universal double-stranded DNA building blocks in a standardized biochemical process managed by industrial robotics. The company's primary offerings included the SlonoMax™ gene mutant libraries and custom gene synthesis services. These tools were designed for protein engineering applications, allowing clients in the pharmaceutical and industrial sectors to generate genetic diversity and screen for enzymes and proteins with improved characteristics. For instance, Sloning collaborated with Novozymes to create a unique gene mutant library to identify enzymes with enhanced properties.

The company's business model focused on providing these specialized synthetic biology tools and services to a global client base, including major pharmaceutical companies. In 2008, the company expanded its commercial reach by establishing a dedicated team to serve customers in the United States and Canada. Over its history, Sloning raised approximately $15.3 million in funding from investors such as HBM BioVentures, LBBW Venture Capital, and Deutsche Effecten- und Wechsel-Beteiligungsgesellschaft. In a significant milestone, Sloning BioTechnology was acquired by MorphoSys AG in October 2010 for a cash payment of €19 million. The acquisition was driven by MorphoSys's goal to integrate the Slonomics™ technology into its own antibody technology platform, aiming to accelerate the generation of therapeutic and diagnostic antibodies and improve the success rate of drug candidates reaching clinical development.

Keywords: synthetic biology, gene synthesis, protein engineering, DNA synthesis, gene libraries, mutant libraries, Slonomics, antibody generation, protein optimization, molecular biology, combinatorial libraries, enzyme engineering, DNA building blocks, automated synthesis, genetic diversity, therapeutic antibodies, diagnostic antibodies, MorphoSys, Heinz Schwer, Octavian Schatz