Syntax Bio

To turn stem cells into the differ­en­ti­ated cells needed for cell therapy, companies typically augment cell cultures with cytokines, hormones, and growth factors. This process of ​“directed differ­en­ti­a­tion” is effective but slow. Syntax Bio invented a faster way: it uses transient plasmids to carry CRISPR-mediated instruc­tions for activating and repressing key genes directly into cells, accel­er­ating differ­en­ti­a­tion to the speed of human biology. By reducing the time required to generate high-value cell types, the company hopes to make cell therapy more affordable and accessible.