Developing personalized cancer vaccines with synthetic DNA – Neomatrix’s race against time
In the fast-evolving field of cancer immunotherapy, Neomatrix Biotech is emerging as a bold innovator. Founded in 2020 by Dr. Luigi Aurisicchio, the company is reshaping the landscape of personalized neoantigen vaccines using several innovative technologies. Neomatrix is utilizing synthetic DNA to accelerate the timelines to develop DNA vaccines, personalized to each patient’s specific neoantigen profile. Thanks to 4basebio’s synthetic DNA they can be ready in a matter of weeks following biopsy of the patient’s tumor.
The Challenge: Time is of the essence
For cancer patients, time is not just precious, it’s critical. Neomatrix’s approach to vaccines stands out, as most traditional DNA vaccines use plasmid DNA (pDNA). This approach is challenging as it slows down manufacturing and increases costs and complexity. pDNA relies on bacterial fermentation, cold-chain logistics, and extensive purification processes that can stretch timelines and delay critical patient care.
“Other companies in the cancer vaccine field use plasmid DNA, but that requires complex bacterial production and extensive purification, leading to long timelines, which can extend to several months.” adds Dr. Luigi
The Solution: Synthetic DNA, A Platform Built for Speed and Efficiency
Neomatrix’s answer is a fully synthetic, cell-free DNA vaccine platform powered by its partnership with 4basebio. Unlike plasmid DNA, which is produced in bacteria, synthetic DNA is enzymatically synthesized, skipping cell banks, bioreactors, and complex bacterial fermentation.
“We like the 4basebio technology and believe it is the way to go for our vaccination technology. We are collaborating closely as we advance our programs in a brand-new field” says Dr. Luigi. “It’s exciting to be pioneering this kind of experience together.”
Here’s how synthetic DNA helps Neomatrix accelerate development of PCVs:
Speed is critical: Six Weeks from Biopsy to Vaccine
The cell-free synthesis of synthetic DNA eliminates the need for time-consuming steps like creating master cell banks or scaling up fermentation. For Neomatrix, this means a fully customized, GMP-grade DNA vaccine can be designed, manufactured, and ready for injection in under six weeks, which is a major advantage over pDNA. Speed is particularly important, as waiting a few months would have a massive impact on patient outcomes.
Personalized Batches at Scale
The synthetic DNA vaccine is personalized to each patient, tailored to the unique neoantigen profile of their tumor. Synthetic DNA is ideally suited for small-batch production, something traditional plasmid manufacturing isn’t built to handle efficiently. This enables Neomatrix to treat patients individually without delays or overproduction.
Stability and Simplicity in Formulation
4basebio’s synthetic DNA is stable at room temperature and is compatible with lyophilization, meaning it doesn’t require complex formulations. Compared to mRNA vaccines, that must be kept in a cold chain, this offers a much more viable solution at commercial scale.
How It Works: From Biopsy to Personalized Vaccine Therapy
The Neomatrix process begins with a tumor biopsy containing at least 30% of cancer cells. Using next-generation sequencing, the team compares tumor to normal DNA and identifies unique mutations that generate neoantigens. These mutations are assessed by a proprietary algorithm that filters for:
Its potential to generate a peptide that would trigger an immune response
Its similarity to viral or bacterial epitopes
Its resemblance to proteins in the human proteome, which could risk triggering autoimmunity
The synthetic neoantigen DNA vaccine is assembled and delivered directly into muscle tissue via electroporation. This method initiates production of antigens and activates T cells and antigen-presenting cells at the injection site and in nearby lymph nodes.
A Breakthrough for DNA Vaccines and a First for the Field
Neomatrix has completed all the toxicology studies, and all the preparation needed for an IMPD (Investigational Medicinal Product Dossier), which is the comprehensive dossier submitted to regulatory authorities for approval of clinical trials. They expect to begin clinical trials with synthetic DNA vaccines in lung cancer patients in the second half of 2025.
The choice of lung cancer reflects both scientific rationale and medical urgency; it’s a highly mutated cancer with a significant unmet need.
“In lung cancer, there is still a very high medical need, and it is very highly mutated, so there are windows of opportunity there” Dr. Luigi mentions.
Conclusion: A New Frontier in Cancer Vaccination
By leveraging 4basebio’s cell-free synthetic DNA technology, Neomatrix is pushing the boundaries of what's possible in personalized cancer therapy. Synthetic DNA has helped overcome the time and complexity challenges of traditional plasmid DNA approaches, enabling vaccine development in under six weeks from biopsy. This speed is vital for patients where time is critical, as you need to act fast. Synthetic DNA supports small-batch GMP production tailored to each patient’s unique neoantigen profile and offers formulation advantages such as room temperature stability and compatibility with lyophilization.
Reach out if you would like to explore synthetic DNA for your personalized therapies!