DNA Script and GE HealthCare are developing an automated platform designed to enable faster, distributed DNA manufacturing under a new four-year programme backed by up to $26 million from ARPA-H.

ARPA-H backs distributed DNA manufacturing

The Flexible Automation for Scalable Health (FLASH) programme is led by GE HealthCare and aims to develop a modular and automated platform for manufacturing DNA at scale.

The programme is intended to support rapid production of high-fidelity DNA for research and potential future applications in personalised medicines, vaccines and other genetic health technologies.

DNA Script is contributing its enzymatic DNA synthesis (EDS) technology and SYNTAX platform to the project, while acting as the technical solution integrator.

The company said its technology will be combined with GE HealthCare’s DNA scaling technology as part of the programme, with the eventual goal of deploying the integrated platform across US medical research centres, universities and federal agencies.

The approach is focused on making DNA manufacturing faster and more distributed, potentially allowing DNA to be produced closer to where it is needed rather than relying solely on centralised manufacturing infrastructure.

DNA synthesis technology to support FLASH programme

The FLASH programme brings together expertise in automation, DNA synthesis and scaling, purification and genomic validation.

DNA Script’s role is centred on enzymatic DNA synthesis, a method designed to produce DNA without relying on some of the chemical synthesis processes traditionally used in the industry.

The company said the technology could support the FLASH programme’s focus on on-demand manufacturing, providing a more flexible approach to producing DNA for research and potential therapeutic applications.

John Schiel, programme manager at ARPA-H, said: “ARPA-H solutions are designed to address hard problems with bold, practical approaches. Projects like FLASH exemplify how scalable, platform-based technologies can transform the way health solutions are developed, produced, and delivered.”

The programme comes as researchers and developers explore new approaches to manufacturing genetic medicines and other DNA-based technologies. Manufacturing remains a key consideration for these fields, particularly where therapies may need to be adapted to individual patients or produced rapidly in response to emerging health needs.

Marc Montserrat, chief executive officer of DNA Script, said: “Our enzymatic DNA synthesis platform is ideally suited to the on-demand manufacturing model FLASH is pioneering.”

He added that the collaboration with GE HealthCare and ARPA-H could help shorten the path between research and clinical applications for next-generation therapies and personalised vaccines.

Programme targets faster access to DNA

John Nelson, senior biosciences principal and FLASH programme lead at GE HealthCare’s Healthcare Technology and Innovation Center, said the programme aims to address the need for manufacturing approaches that are faster, more flexible and more accessible as personalised and time-sensitive genetic medicines develop.

“Our vision for the FLASH program is to develop new DNA-based medicines on demand quickly, safely, and at scale,” Nelson said.

The four-year initiative is expected to focus on developing and integrating the technologies required to establish a scalable DNA manufacturing platform.

The programme is being funded through ARPA-H, the US government agency established to support high-impact research and development aimed at addressing major health challenges.

For DNA Script, the award represents a significant collaboration around its enzymatic DNA synthesis technology, while the wider FLASH programme reflects growing interest in decentralised and automated approaches to biomanufacturing.

The project could ultimately provide a platform for producing DNA more rapidly and flexibly across a distributed network of research and healthcare organisations, although the programme is currently focused on technology development rather than the commercial manufacture of approved medicines.