London, UK – 5 November 2025 – Touchlight, a leader in cell-free DNA technology, today announced the expansion of its groundbreaking mbDNA platform with the introduction of three new circular DNA architectures: sscDNA, hsscDNA, and dscDNA. These innovative constructs join mbDNA, which debuted earlier this year, to form a comprehensive portfolio designed to overcome the limitations of traditional gene editing tools. 

The mbDNA platform and new custom circle DNA architectures deliver enhanced stability, reduced immunogenicity, and compatibility with a broad range of gene insertion and expression technologies, setting a new standard for precision and performance in genetic engineering. 

mbDNA (megabulb DNA) is a pioneering single-stranded DNA technology produced through Touchlight’s cell-free enzymatic platform, delivering high purity and minimal immunogenicity for safer outcomes plus enzymatic production for optimal reliability and scalability. It achieves high HDR efficiency with low toxicity, consistently reaching knock-in rates of 60–75% in primary T cells, while offering predictable performance with low donor-donor variability. Additionally, mbDNA supports expanded payload capacity of up to 20kb, enabling the delivery of large genetic cargos and unlocking new possibilities for advanced gene editing. 

Applications include homology-directed repair (HDR), and episomal expression. 

Introducing sscDNA, hsscDNA, and dscDNA 

The flexible nature of Touchlight’s novel circular DNA molecules allows for bespoke designs to optimize gene therapy platforms that utilize DNA payloads for episomal expression or integration.  sscDNA is a fully single-stranded circular DNA molecule, whereas hsscDNA contains bespoke double stranded region(s) of user-defined length.  dscDNA is a fully double stranded circular molecule. The sequence of all DNA constructs are completely user defined and ideal for transposases, recombinases, HITI, and episomal expression.  

 “mbDNA is a market leading technology providing the best-in-class HDR template available today,” said Karen Fallen, CEO at Touchlight. “With the addition of sscDNA, hsscDNA, and dscDNA, we’re empowering researchers and developers to unlock new possibilities in gene editing and therapeutic innovation.” 

About Touchlight

Touchlight is an innovation-driven leading CDMO pioneering enzymatic GMP DNA production to enable the genetic medicine revolution. As pioneers, with an FDA Drug Master File accepted in 2022 followed in 2025 with the world’s first cell-free DNA GMP license, Touchlight’s enzymatic DNA technology is on the cutting edge of AAV, mRNA, DNA vaccine, and gene editing technology with its state-of-the-art facility recognised by ISPE’s Facility of the Year Awards (FOYA) for Innovation.

With multiple client products already in the clinic, Touchlight’s evidence-based, synthetic DNA manufacturing solutions offer a scalable, sustainable alternative to plasmid DNA (pDNA) for all stages of pre-clinical, clinical and commercial development. The company and technology are built on the conviction that DNA is fundamental to the future of medicine. Traditional methods, based on bacterial fermentation, are slow, costly, and unable to meet the growing demands of genetic medicine due to limited scalability and speed. Founded in 2007, Touchlight’s team is inspired by breakthroughs in genetic medicine, recognising the urgent need for innovative DNA production techniques to support the future of genetic therapies.

For more information please contact:

Karen Fallen, Chief Executive Officer
Verna McErlane, Chief Commercial Officer
E: info@touchlight.com
T: +44 20 8481 9200

London, UK – October 15, 2025 – Touchlight, a leader in synthetic DNA manufacturing, announced today the use of its proprietary  z- dbDNA^TM technology as a critical starting material in the manufacture of a cutting-edge gene therapy in a US-based clinical study.

This development underscores the transformative potential of dbDNA in driving the development of safe, effective, and scalable therapies. It follows Touchlight’s receipt in 2025 of a GMP certificate for the production of dbDNA at its state-of-the-art facility in Hampton, UK. dbDNA’s unique design, a linear, closed-end DNA construct free of bacterial sequences, ensures high purity and stability, making it an ideal platform for gene therapy applications.

The senior scientist working on this clinical study, said: “Touchlight’s z- dbDNA platform provided the high-purity DNA material, scalable production capabilities, and rapid turnaround necessary to advance our gene therapy program. The team demonstrated technical responsiveness and a solution-driven approach, facilitating sequence delivery and production support within a compressed timeline. Communication was consistently clear, and batch release testing met all delivery and quality expectations”.

Unlike conventional plasmid DNA, dbDNA is manufactured using a cell-free process that is faster and more scalable, whilst eliminating the risk of antibiotic resistance or other unwanted contaminants. These characteristics of dbDNA align with regulatory guidelines and the growing need for safer, more efficient biomanufacturing processes.

Touchlight remains committed to empowering researchers and biopharmaceutical companies with the tools they need to push the boundaries of genetic medicine. The company’s ongoing collaborations and innovations continue to support the development of life-changing therapies for patients worldwide.

About Touchlight

Touchlight is an innovation-driven leading CDMO pioneering enzymatic GMP DNA production to enable the genetic medicine revolution. As pioneers, with an FDA Drug Master File accepted in 2022 followed in 2025 with the world’s first cell-free DNA GMP license, Touchlight’s enzymatic DNA technology is on the cutting edge of AAV, mRNA, DNA vaccine, and gene editing technology with its state-of-the-art facility recognised by ISPE’s Facility of the Year Awards (FOYA) for Innovation.

With multiple client products already in the clinic, Touchlight’s evidence-based, synthetic DNA manufacturing solutions offer a scalable, sustainable alternative to plasmid DNA (pDNA) for all stages of pre-clinical, clinical and commercial development. The company and technology are built on the conviction that DNA is fundamental to the future of medicine. Traditional methods, based on bacterial fermentation, are slow, costly, and unable to meet the growing demands of genetic medicine due to limited scalability and speed. Founded in 2007, Touchlight’s team is inspired by breakthroughs in genetic medicine, recognising the urgent need for innovative DNA production techniques to support the future of genetic therapies.

For more information please contact:

Karen Fallen, Chief Executive Officer
Verna McErlane, Chief Commercial Officer
E: info@touchlight.com
T: +44 20 8481 9200

London, UK, 14 October 2025 – Touchlight, a pioneering leader in DNA manufacturing technologies, has been named the 2025 FOYA Category Winner for Innovation in the International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering (ISPE) Facility of the Year Awards (FOYA) in Charlotte, North Carolina. 

Touchlight’s Morelands facility, located in an historic Victorian waterworks in Hampton, London, has been transformed into a world-class production hub for its enzymatic DNA technologies for advanced therapies. 

Touchlight’s revolutionary platform addresses key and long-standing challenges associated with traditional plasmid DNA (pDNA) manufacturing, by eliminating fermentation processes and antibiotic resistance sequences while achieving greater purity and sequence flexibility. The facility’s expansion has tripled production capacity, making it the largest cell free DNA manufacturing site globally.   

“The site was dormant for over 70 years before we repurposed it to become one of the largest DNA manufacturing facilities in the world” said Jonny Ohlson, Founder and Executive Chair of Touchlight. “The Victorians were brilliant at showcasing their technologies, yet this facility had been forgotten.  Our thesis was that if you created the most beautiful environment, you would attract the most brilliant scientists.  Genetic medicines are advancing rapidly to treat stubborn cancers and genetic diseases, and we are attracting the pioneers to the UK for their DNA requirement.” 

A Facility Built for Innovation 

Touchlight’s dbDNA platform rapidly synthesise large quantities of highly pure DNA, enabling the development of genetic medicines. Designed with flexibility and scalability in mind, the Morelands facility supports simultaneous GMP manufacturing of multiple products.  As the only cell-free DNA manufacturer with eight IND/CTA filings in collaboration with its clients, Touchlight is working with pharmaceutical companies, biotechs and academics to advance therapies for unmet diseases.

Touchlight’s commitment to digital transformation has been a key driver of its success. The company implemented SAP S/4HANA Cloud to enhance operational efficiency, improve traceability, and support future expansion. This initiative earned Touchlight the Business Innovator Award in the SAP UKI Customer Success Awards 2024.   

Additionally, Touchlight is focused upon prioritising sustainability, integrating green manufacturing techniques that reduce water and energy consumption, including through the use of renewable energy.  

“We are honoured to have been named the ISPE Facility of the Year Award Innovation Winner,” said Jonny Ohlson, Executive Chair and Founder of Touchlight. “As we look ahead to the upcoming Awards Ceremony in Charlotte, we are proud to stand alongside other leading organizations driving progress in the industry. This recognition highlights the dedication of our team and the transformative potential of our Hampton facility in shaping the future of DNA manufacturing.”.

Recognising the 2025 ISPE FOYA Winners 

In addition to Touchlight’s remarkable achievement, several leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies have been recognised for their outstanding contributions to the industry in this year’s ISPE Facility of the Year Awards (FOYA). Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine received two accolades: the Operational Excellence award for its advanced automated packaging line and the Project Execution award for its expanded biomanufacturing capabilities. CSL Behring was honoured with the Pharma 4.0 award for its groundbreaking work in scaling up plasma fractionation capacity. 

Bayer Healthcare LLC was acknowledged for its impact in addressing unmet medical needs through its innovative cell therapy initiatives, while Sanofi earned the Sustainability Excellence award for its cutting-edge wastewater treatment and reuse plant. Additionally, Erbe Elektromedizin GmbH and United Therapeutics received honourable mentions for their pioneering efforts in medical technology and xenotransplantation, respectively. These remarkable projects, alongside Touchlight’s pioneering work, underscore the industry’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and advancing global healthcare. 

For more information about Touchlight and its cutting-edge contributions to genetic medicine, visit http://www.touchlight.com. To learn more about the ISPE Facility of the Year Awards and see the full list of winners, visit https://ispe.org/facility-year-awards. 

About Touchlight

Touchlight is an innovation-driven leading CDMO pioneering enzymatic GMP DNA production to enable the genetic medicine revolution. As pioneers, with an FDA Drug Master File accepted in 2022 followed in 2025 with the world’s first cell-free DNA GMP license, Touchlight’s enzymatic DNA technology is on the cutting edge of AAV, mRNA, DNA vaccine, and gene editing technology with its state-of-the-art facility recognised by ISPE’s Facility of the Year Awards (FOYA) for Innovation.

With multiple client products already in the clinic, Touchlight’s evidence-based, synthetic DNA manufacturing solutions offer a scalable, sustainable alternative to plasmid DNA (pDNA) for all stages of pre-clinical, clinical and commercial development. The company and technology are built on the conviction that DNA is fundamental to the future of medicine. Traditional methods, based on bacterial fermentation, are slow, costly, and unable to meet the growing demands of genetic medicine due to limited scalability and speed. Founded in 2007, Touchlight’s team is inspired by breakthroughs in genetic medicine, recognising the urgent need for innovative DNA production techniques to support the future of genetic therapies.

For more information please contact:

Karen Fallen, Chief Executive Officer
Verna McErlane, Chief Commercial Officer
E: info@touchlight.com
T: +44 20 8481 9200

Touchlight, a pioneer in cell-free DNA innovation, is proud to announce the commercial launch of their new technology for non-viral gene editing, mbDNA (megabulb DNA). Its novel circular single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) structure features a customisable stem region and a fully user-defined sequence free of phage or bacterial elements.  

mbDNA’s design supports 1-20kb gene insertions and offers more robust knock-in efficiency across diverse cell types, in comparison to double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) and competitor ssDNA formats, whilst maintaining high cell viability.  

“Following extensive beta testing with key opinion leaders, CDMOs and pharmaceutical partners, we are proud to officially launch mbDNA to the market” said Jill Makin, CSO at Touchlight.  

The market has embraced mbDNA as a game-changing innovation, praising its consistently high editing rates, and superior functionality with one Key Opinion Leader (KOL) in the field describing it as “the best-in-class HDR template that exists today!”   

Why Non-Viral ssDNA Matters 

CRISPR-nuclease technologies have transformed gene editing by enabling highly precise genetic corrections, unlocking unprecedented therapeutic possibilities and redefining how we approach disease targeting and treatment. Nonetheless, there are still challenges to be addressed in translating this technology into viable new products.  

Historically, AAV (Adeno Associated Virus), has been the vector of choice for HDR gene-editing applications. However, several AAV limitations are becoming increasingly evident, including restricted payload capacity, high manufacturing costs and lengthy timelines. Non-viral DNA platforms offer greater design flexibility and with manufacturing processes that can scale without excessive complexity. 

Touchlight’s novel mbDNA platform has the additional benefit of being single stranded and circular; offering reduced cytotoxicity and highly improved editing efficiencies. Indeed, mbDNA can consistently achieve knock-in (KI) rates of 75% in primary human T cells with GMP coming soon 

How mbDNA Works 

Designed as a high-efficiency template for HDR, mbDNA is compatible with multiple delivery methods including electroporation, nucleofection, and lipid nanoparticle formulations, underscoring its versatility and making it an ideal choice for a wide range of gene-editing workflows. This new DNA architecture can also be used as an episomal expression vector in transient non-viral gene therapy (NVGT) settings with the promise of improved tolerability due to its single stranded nature. 

About Touchlight

Touchlight is an innovation-driven leading CDMO pioneering enzymatic GMP DNA production to enable the genetic medicine revolution. As pioneers, with an FDA Drug Master File accepted in 2022 followed in 2025 with the world’s first cell-free DNA GMP license, Touchlight’s enzymatic DNA technology is on the cutting edge of AAV, mRNA, DNA vaccine, and gene editing technology with its state-of-the-art facility recognised by ISPE’s Facility of the Year Awards (FOYA) for Innovation.

With multiple client products already in the clinic, Touchlight’s evidence-based, synthetic DNA manufacturing solutions offer a scalable, sustainable alternative to plasmid DNA (pDNA) for all stages of pre-clinical, clinical and commercial development. The company and technology are built on the conviction that DNA is fundamental to the future of medicine. Traditional methods, based on bacterial fermentation, are slow, costly, and unable to meet the growing demands of genetic medicine due to limited scalability and speed. Founded in 2007, Touchlight’s team is inspired by breakthroughs in genetic medicine, recognising the urgent need for innovative DNA production techniques to support the future of genetic therapies.

For more information please contact:

Karen Fallen, Chief Executive Officer
Verna McErlane, Chief Commercial Officer
E: info@touchlight.com
T: +44 20 8481 9200

Touchlight, a pioneering leader in synthetic DNA technology, is proud to announce that its Morelands Facility has been named the 2025 Innovation Winner in the prestigious International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering (ISPE) Facility of the Year Awards (FOYA). This distinguished recognition highlights Touchlight’s groundbreaking approach to DNA manufacturing and underscores its commitment to innovation, sustainability, and operational excellence.

Touchlight’s Morelands facility, located in an historic Victorian waterworks in Hampton, London, has been transformed into a world-class production hub for synthetic DNA technology, specifically the company’s proprietary dbDNA. This revolutionary platform addresses key challenges in traditional plasmid DNA (pDNA) manufacturing, eliminating fermentation processes and antibiotic resistance sequences while achieving greater purity and sequence flexibility. The facility’s expansion has tripled production capacity, making it one of the largest DNA manufacturing sites globally.

“At Touchlight, we are redefining DNA manufacturing to support the next generation of genetic medicines,” said Karen Fallen, CEO at Touchlight. “Winning the 2025 ISPE Facility of the Year Award in the Innovation category is a testament to our commitment to pioneering advancements in DNA synthesis. Our Morelands facility exemplifies our dedication to innovation, flexibility, and sustainability, ensuring we can meet the growing global demand for high-purity DNA while maintaining the highest standards of safety and operational excellence.”

A Facility Built for Innovation

The dbDNA platform utilises enzymatic rolling circle amplification (RCA) to rapidly synthesise large quantities of highly pure DNA, supporting the development of genetic medicines, including mRNA vaccines, viral vectors, and gene therapies. The Morelands facility was designed with flexibility and scalability in mind, enabling simultaneous manufacturing of multiple products while maintaining GMP standards.

Touchlight’s commitment to digital transformation has been a key driver of its success. The company implemented SAP S/4HANA Cloud to enhance operational efficiency, improve traceability, and support future expansion. This initiative earned Touchlight the Business Innovator Award in the SAP UKI Customer Success Awards 2024.

Additionally, Touchlight is focused upon prioritising sustainability, integrating green manufacturing techniques that reduce water and energy consumption. The facility utilises renewable energy and maintains an exemplary safety record with zero reportable incidents over a 24-month period.

As an ISPE FOYA Category Winner, Touchlight now looks forward to the announcement of the overall Facility of the Year winner in October at the ISPE Annual Meeting & Expo in the United States.

“We are incredibly honoured to receive the ISPE Facility of the Year Award for Innovation,” said Jonny Ohlson, Executive Chair and Founder of Touchlight. “This recognition reflects the hard work and ingenuity of our team, who have pushed the boundaries of DNA manufacturing to accelerate the development of genetic medicines. The Morelands facility is a testament to our commitment to innovation, operational excellence, and sustainability in biopharmaceutical production.”

Recognising the 2025 ISPE FOYA Winners

In addition to Touchlight’s remarkable achievement, several leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies have been recognised for their outstanding contributions to the industry in this year’s ISPE Facility of the Year Awards (FOYA). Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine received two accolades: the Operational Excellence award for its advanced automated packaging line and the Project Execution award for its expanded biomanufacturing capabilities. CSL Behring was honoured with the Pharma 4.0 award for its groundbreaking work in scaling up plasma fractionation capacity.

Bayer Healthcare LLC was acknowledged for its impact in addressing unmet medical needs through its innovative cell therapy initiatives, while Sanofi earned the Sustainability Excellence award for its cutting-edge wastewater treatment and reuse plant. Additionally, Erbe Elektromedizin GmbH and United Therapeutics received honourable mentions for their pioneering efforts in medical technology and xenotransplantation, respectively. These remarkable projects, alongside Touchlight’s pioneering work, underscore the industry’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and advancing global healthcare.

For more information about Touchlight and its cutting-edge contributions to genetic medicine, visit http://www.touchlight.com. To learn more about the ISPE Facility of the Year Awards and see the full list of winners, visit https://ispe.org/facility-year-awards.

About Touchlight

Touchlight is an innovation-driven leading CDMO pioneering enzymatic GMP DNA production to enable the genetic medicine revolution. As pioneers, with an FDA Drug Master File accepted in 2022 followed in 2025 with the world’s first cell-free DNA GMP license, Touchlight’s enzymatic DNA technology is on the cutting edge of AAV, mRNA, DNA vaccine, and gene editing technology with its state-of-the-art facility recognised by ISPE’s Facility of the Year Awards (FOYA) for Innovation.

With multiple client products already in the clinic, Touchlight’s evidence-based, synthetic DNA manufacturing solutions offer a scalable, sustainable alternative to plasmid DNA (pDNA) for all stages of pre-clinical, clinical and commercial development. The company and technology are built on the conviction that DNA is fundamental to the future of medicine. Traditional methods, based on bacterial fermentation, are slow, costly, and unable to meet the growing demands of genetic medicine due to limited scalability and speed. Founded in 2007, Touchlight’s team is inspired by breakthroughs in genetic medicine, recognising the urgent need for innovative DNA production techniques to support the future of genetic therapies.

For more information please contact:

Karen Fallen, Chief Executive Officer
Verna McErlane, Chief Commercial Officer
E: info@touchlight.com
T: +44 20 8481 9200

Enschede, The Netherlands, and Hampton, UK – April 18, 2023 – 20Med Therapeutics, a leader in non-viral delivery and development of gene therapies and vaccines, and Touchlight, a biotechnology company pioneering enzymatic DNA production to enable the genetic medicine revolution, today announced that both parties will collaborate on establishing a novel vaccination platform that combines Touchlight’s rapid enzymatic doggybone DNA platform with 20Med Therapeutics’ bioresponsive polymer nanoparticle technology.

Named after its schematic structure, doggybone DNA (dbDNA) is a minimal, linear, double-stranded and covalently closed DNA construct. dbDNA can encode long, complex, or unstable DNA sequences, eliminates bacterial sequences and has a strong expression profile.

20Med Therapeutics’ nanoparticles have been specifically designed for efficient intracellular delivery of oligonucleotide-based vaccines and therapeutics. The technology platform is based on 20Med’s proprietary bioresponsive polymeric nanoparticles which provide protection of fragile payloads during ad-ministration and circulation but allow for rapid bioresponsive release of that payload as soon as the particles enter the cytosol.

About Touchlight

Touchlight is an innovation-driven leading CDMO pioneering enzymatic GMP DNA production to enable the genetic medicine revolution. As pioneers, with an FDA Drug Master File accepted in 2022 followed in 2025 with the world’s first cell-free DNA GMP license, Touchlight’s enzymatic DNA technology is on the cutting edge of AAV, mRNA, DNA vaccine, and gene editing technology with its state-of-the-art facility recognised by ISPE’s Facility of the Year Awards (FOYA) for Innovation.

With multiple client products already in the clinic, Touchlight’s evidence-based, synthetic DNA manufacturing solutions offer a scalable, sustainable alternative to plasmid DNA (pDNA) for all stages of pre-clinical, clinical and commercial development. The company and technology are built on the conviction that DNA is fundamental to the future of medicine. Traditional methods, based on bacterial fermentation, are slow, costly, and unable to meet the growing demands of genetic medicine due to limited scalability and speed. Founded in 2007, Touchlight’s team is inspired by breakthroughs in genetic medicine, recognising the urgent need for innovative DNA production techniques to support the future of genetic therapies.

For more information please contact:

Karen Fallen, Chief Executive Officer
Verna McErlane, Chief Commercial Officer
E: info@touchlight.com
T: +44 20 8481 9200