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Locus Biosciences is a biotechnology company headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina and was founded in 2015 by Charles Gersbach, Chase Beisel, Dave Ousterout, Nick Taylor, Paul Garofolo, and Rodolphe Barrangou.
Locus Biosciences develops CRISPR-engineered phage therapeutics, and uses Type I CRISPR-Cas3 system to destroy the DNA of target bacteria cells. Locus is the exclusive global licensee of the foundational CRISPR-Cas3 patent estate from North Carolina State University and Duke University. Although CRISPR-Cas9 is being used by a variety of companies to treat human diseases, Locus is the only company using CRISPR-Cas3 to tackle the problem of multidrug-resistant bacteria.
Locus's CRISPR-Cas3-engineered phage ("crPhage") platform is notable because it combines the safety profile of phages with the efficacy advantage of CRISPR. crPhage products kill target bacteria, including antibiotic-resistant superbugs, while leaving the many species of good bacteria in the body unharmed. The acquisition of EpiBiome's automation platform helps Locus develop these crPhage products to treat antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections and precisely edit the microbiome more rapidly.
On November 14, 2017 Locus Biosciences completed their series A funding round with $19 million in funding from Artis Ventures (lead investor), Starlight Ventures, North Carolina Biotechnology Center, and Abstract Ventures.
