Report on Integrated DNA Technologies’ Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals through Advanced CRISPR Solutions

Executive Summary: Accelerating Progress on SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-being

Integrated DNA Technologies (IDT), a global genomics company, has announced an expansion of its CRISPR translational research portfolio. These new solutions are designed to bridge the gap between discovery research and clinical application, directly supporting the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being). The initiative aims to accelerate the development of CRISPR-based therapies for genetic diseases, exemplified by the successful treatment of an infant with CPS1 deficiency using a personalized therapy co-manufactured by IDT and Aldevron. This report outlines how IDT’s new offerings in purity, safety analysis, and product development contribute to global health objectives.

Enhancing Therapeutic Efficacy and Safety in Alignment with SDG 3

IDT’s latest offerings are focused on improving the quality and safety of CRISPR-based therapies, a critical component for ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all, as outlined in SDG 3.

• High-Purity Reagents for Clinical Translation: To meet the stringent demands of clinical applications, IDT now offers chemically synthesized guide RNAs (gRNAs) with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) purification. This directly addresses the need for high-quality components in therapeutic development.
• Advanced Safety and Off-Target Analysis: Ensuring the safety of gene editing therapies is paramount. IDT has launched UNCOVERseq, an off-target nomination service utilizing an enhanced GUIDE-seq methodology. This service, combined with the rhAmpSeq CRISPR Analysis System, allows researchers to:
  1. Identify potential off-target editing sites early in the development process.
  2. Assess and mitigate risks associated with unintended genomic alterations.
  3. Confidently advance therapeutic candidates toward clinical trials.

Fostering Innovation and Building Resilient Infrastructure (SDG 9)

The development and provision of these advanced genomic tools represent a significant contribution to SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) by fostering innovation and building resilient scientific infrastructure.

• Tailored gRNA Solutions: Researchers can now order custom gRNAs with various modifications to enhance stability and specificity, facilitating more precise and effective research. This customization capability fosters innovation in the biotechnology sector.
• Expanding the Gene Editing Toolkit: IDT plans to launch new products in late 2025 to further enhance therapeutic development:
  • Alt-R HDR Enhancer Protein: Designed to improve homology-directed repair (HDR) efficiency, particularly in difficult-to-edit cells, while maintaining cell health.
  • Novel Cas9 mRNA: A new offering to support researchers from early discovery through to the clinical stage.
  • Custom gRNA Library Design Tool: A new tool to streamline the ordering of custom-configured screening libraries.

Strengthening Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17)

IDT’s strategy emphasizes collaboration, reflecting the principles of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), which calls for strengthening the means of implementation and revitalizing global partnerships for sustainable development.

• Industry Collaboration: The development of the personalized therapy for KJ Muldoon was a joint effort between IDT and Aldevron. Future products, such as the Alt-R HDR Enhancer Protein and Cas9 mRNA, are also being developed in collaboration with Aldevron.
• Supporting the Scientific Community: By providing end-to-end solutions, regulatory support, and deep expertise, IDT positions itself as a key partner for scientists and researchers on their gene editing journey, from foundational discovery to life-changing clinical applications. As part of Danaher, IDT leverages combined capabilities to accelerate the impact of science and technology on human health.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article on Integrated DNA Technologies (IDT) and its CRISPR solutions connects to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by focusing on advancements in health technology, scientific innovation, and collaborative efforts to improve human well-being.

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: This is the most prominent SDG, as the article’s central theme is the development and acceleration of CRISPR-based therapies to treat genetic diseases and “improve human health.”
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: The article details significant technological innovation in the field of genomics, highlighting the development of new tools, services, and manufacturing processes that enhance scientific research and build industrial capability.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The success of the personalized therapy described in the article is explicitly attributed to collaboration between different entities, underscoring the importance of partnerships in achieving technological and health-related goals.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s focus, the following specific targets can be identified:

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

1. Target 3.2: “By 2030, end preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age…” The article highlights the case of “baby KJ,” an infant who received a life-saving personalized CRISPR therapy for CPS1 deficiency. This directly relates to preventing infant mortality from severe genetic disorders.
2. Target 3.4: “By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.” Genetic disorders like CPS1 deficiency are non-communicable diseases. The development of CRISPR therapies, as described, represents a significant advancement in the “treatment” aspect of this target.
3. Target 3.b: “Support the research and development of vaccines and medicines for the communicable and non-communicable diseases…” The entire article is about IDT’s role in supporting and accelerating “research and development” of new medicines (gene therapies) through its “expanded CRISPR translational research solutions.”

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

1. Target 9.5: “Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors in all countries…encouraging innovation…” IDT’s work exemplifies this target. The company is launching new products like “HPLC-purified gRNAs,” safety services like “UNCOVERseq,” and the “Alt-R HDR Enhancer Protein” to “progress science forward” and support researchers in their gene editing journey. This directly enhances scientific research and upgrades technological capabilities in the genomics industry.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

1. Target 17.16: “Enhance the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology…” The article states that IDT works “shoulder-to-shoulder with scientific and global health partners” and that the therapy for baby KJ was “manufactured jointly by IDT and Aldevron.” This demonstrates a multi-stakeholder partnership sharing technology and expertise.
2. Target 17.17: “Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships…” The collaboration between IDT and Aldevron, two private companies, to create a novel therapeutic solution is a clear example of a private-private partnership that advances public health goals.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article implies several indicators that can be used to measure progress:

Indicators for SDG 3

• Development of new therapies for genetic diseases: The successful treatment of baby KJ with the “world’s first personalized CRISPR therapy” serves as a qualitative indicator of progress in creating new treatments for non-communicable, genetic diseases (Target 3.4).
• Reduction in infant mortality from genetic disorders: The application of this technology to save an infant’s life implies a potential future indicator related to reducing preventable deaths in newborns (Target 3.2).
• Investment in and launch of new research tools: The launch of IDT’s “expanded CRISPR translational research solutions,” including UNCOVERseq and custom gRNAs, is a measurable indicator of support for research and development (Target 3.b).

Indicators for SDG 9

• Number of new technological products and services developed: The article explicitly mentions the launch of several new products and services: “HPLC-purified gRNAs,” “UNCOVERseq,” the “Alt-R HDR Enhancer Protein,” and a “novel Cas9 mRNA.” These launches are concrete, measurable indicators of innovation and upgraded technological capability (Target 9.5).

Indicators for SDG 17

• Number and nature of strategic partnerships: The article provides a specific example of a partnership: the joint manufacturing effort between “IDT and Aldevron.” The mention of working with “scientific and global health partners” also implies the existence of other collaborations, which can be tracked as an indicator of progress (Targets 17.16 and 17.17).

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: finance.yahoo.com