Monod Bio, a Seattle-based AI-enabled protein design company, and SignalChem Biotech Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sino Biological, Inc. (SZSE: 301047), have announced a non-exclusive licensing agreement covering Monod Bio’s proprietary LuxSit de novo luciferase technology and NovoBodies. This partnership allows SignalChem Biotech to incorporate these AI-designed proteins into custom luminescent assay development and protein-fusion services for third-party researchers, marking a significant step in the integration of AI-enabled life science tools into commercial CRO offerings.
The agreement expands SignalChem’s specialized contract research organization (CRO) capabilities and aligns with Sino Biological’s broader strategy of incorporating AI-enabled technologies across its global portfolio. According to Dr. Rob Burgess, Chief Business Officer of Sino Biological, “By incorporating Monod Bio’s AI-designed protein technologies into SignalChem’s custom assay platform, we can help researchers obtain high quality discovery candidates more rapidly.” This collaboration aims to strengthen the ability to address complex biological questions and advance research programs efficiently.
Monod Bio’s LuxSit is an AI-designed luciferase engineered for use in robust luminescent biosensors, while its NovoBodies are compact, highly stable binding proteins designed for high-performance recognition of various targets. Together, these technologies provide versatile tools for developing customized assays and discovery workflows. The integration into SignalChem’s services is expected to enhance the sensitivity and specificity of assays, potentially accelerating drug discovery and life science research.
Daniel Silva Manzano, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of Monod Bio, emphasized the significance of the partnership: “SignalChem Biotech and Sino Biological have the scientific expertise, customer reach and service infrastructure to bring these technologies to a broad customer base. This partnership expands the reach of our platform and reinforces the value of our Monod Inside model for integrating AI-designed proteins into commercial products and services.” The Monod Inside model is a strategic approach that involves partnering with life science companies to incorporate Monod’s technologies into next-generation products.
SignalChem Biotech, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sino Biological, provides specialized reagents and CRO services supporting drug discovery and life science research. Sino Biological is an international life science tools provider with facilities across Asia, North America, and Europe. For more information, visit Sino Biological. Monod Bio uses AI-powered de novo protein design to create novel binders, biosensors, and other functional proteins for research and diagnostic applications. More details are available at Monod Bio.
This licensing agreement underscores the growing trend of applying artificial intelligence to protein engineering, offering researchers access to advanced tools that may improve assay performance and reduce development timelines. The non-exclusive nature of the deal allows Monod Bio to license its technologies to multiple partners, potentially broadening the impact of its innovations across the life sciences industry.
