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