Collaboration between New England Biolabs and Touchlight launches Synthesis Kit. Published: 05 May 2026 New England Biolabs (NEB), in partnership with Touchlight, has introduced the EnClose Cell-free dbDNA Synthesis Kit, which facilitates benchtop enzymatic synthesis of Touchlight's proprietary doggybone DNA (dbDNA). This linear, covalently closed, double-stranded DNA provides researchers with a cell-free alternative to traditional plasmid DNA for the development of nucleic acid therapeutics. NEB highlights that the kit addresses a significant bottleneck in advanced therapy development by eliminating the necessity for large-scale fermentation, cell banking, and the lengthy manufacturing timelines typically associated with plasmid DNA. Dr. Ashley Luck, Associate Director of Applications and Development at NEB, noted that this technology enables rapid screening and production of high-purity DNA templates directly at the benchtop, potentially reducing development timelines for mRNA vaccines and gene therapies by several months. NEB emphasizes that the kit offers an optimized enzymatic workflow capable of producing high yields of closed-ended DNA within a single day, while also avoiding bacterial sequences and antibiotic resistance genes, thereby enhancing safety and supporting regulatory compliance. According to Precedence Research, the Viral or Non-Viral Vectors Market was valued at USD 9.40 billion in 2025 and is projected to grow from USD 11.07 billion in 2026 to approximately USD 48.37 billion by 2035, expanding at a CAGR of 17.80% from 2026 to 2035, driven by the increasing prevalence of genetic disorders. The technology is linearly scalable from research to production, making it suitable for viral vector manufacturing, including adeno-associated virus (AAV) and lentiviral (LV) vectors, as well as non-viral gene therapy, mRNA therapeutics, and gene editing. The enzymatic process can also synthesize challenging sequences such as long poly(A) tails and viral inverted terminal repeats. Touchlight chief business officer Dr Tommy Duncan said the collaboration with NEB expands researchers' access to dbDNA technology. By combining Touchlight's proprietary platform with NEB's enzymology expertise, the partners have developed an optimized workflow that supports rapid construct screening, high-throughput prototyping, and progression to larger-scale manufacturing. A recent report by Precedence Research highlights that the Viral or Non-Viral Vectors Market is benefiting from the rising adoption of healthcare technological advancements.

Claret Bioscience, New England Biolabs to comarket methylation analysis workflow. NEW YORK - Claret Bioscience said on Monday that it has struck a deal with New England Biolabs to copromote a sequencing sample preparation workflow for DNA methylation and fragmentation analysis that uses technologies from both firms. To read the full story... What's Popular?

New cell-free dbDNA synthesis kit can accelerate DNA and RNA therapeutic development. 25 March 2026 New England Biolabs has announced the release of the EnClose Cell-free dbDNA Synthesis Kit, developed in collaboration with Touchlight. This novel kit enables the benchtop enzymatic synthesis of Touchlight's proprietary doggybone(TM) DNA (dbDNA), a linear, covalently closed, double-stranded DNA, providing researchers with a rapid, cell-free alternative to traditional plasmid DNA for the development of various nucleic acid therapeutics. NEB built upon Touchlight's dbDNA technology by developing the EnClose Cell-free dbDNA Synthesis Kit, which offers a robust, optimized, and simplified enzymatic workflow, enabling scientists to generate high yields of closed-ended DNA in a single day. Unlike plasmid DNA, dbDNA is free of bacterial sequences and antibiotic resistance genes, minimising safety concerns and simplifying regulatory compliance. The technology is linearly scalable from research to production, making it an ideal template for viral vector manufacturing - such as adeno-associated virus (AAV) and lentiviral (LV) vectors, non-viral gene therapy and a variety of nucleic acid therapeutics, including mRNA therapeutics and gene editing. Furthermore, the enzymatic process excels at synthesizing difficult sequences, such as long poly(A) tails and viral inverted terminal repeats, which are often unstable in bacterial cultures. This dbDNA synthesis kit aligns with NEB's overarching commitment to support and streamline the development of RNA- and DNA- based therapies. By providing a direct entry into the nucleic acid therapeutic space with a scalable, cell-free template solution, NEB continues to expand its comprehensive portfolio of reagents and kits designed to support customers from discovery through to commercialisation. More information on the EnClose Cell-free dbDNA Synthesis Kit can be found at www.neb.com/E9301