Flagship Pioneering has launched Serif Biomedicines, a biotechnology company developing Modified DNA as a new class of medicines, with an initial commitment of $50 million. The Cambridge, Massachusetts-based startup emerges following five years of platform development. Serif Biomedicines is pioneering a novel approach to therapeutics using modified DNA technology. The company was developed within Flagship Pioneering's scientific innovation engine before its formal launch.

Flagship Pioneering has launched Serif Biomedicines with an initial $50 million commitment to develop Modified DNA as a new therapeutic platform. The company emerged after five years of platform development. Serif's Modified DNA technology aims to combine advantages of mRNA and gene therapy whilst addressing limitations like immunogenicity and inefficient nuclear access. The platform enables programmable, scalable, durable and redosable medicines without altering the genome. The company will present preclinical data at an upcoming scientific meeting showing tolerability in non-human primates and sustained gene expression with therapeutic effects following intravenous administration. Serif's initial programmes target rare diseases and immune programming. Founded in 2021 within Flagship Labs, Serif is led by CEO Jacob Rubens and co-founded by Noubar Afeyan, Geoffrey von Maltzahn, Eric Keen and Louisa Helms. The platform is protected by over 20 patent families.