EnPlusOne Biosciences, Inc., a biotechnology company utilizing the power of enzymes to synthesize RNA oligonucleotides, is proud to welcome Jonathan K. Watts, Ph.D., to its Scientific Advisory Board. Dr. Watts, Professor at the RNA Therapeutics Institute and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology at the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, is a highly respected figure in the oligonucleotide field and was a Board of Directors member of the Oligonucleotide Therapeutics Society (OTS) from 2015 to 2021. With his expertise and guidance, EnPlusOne hopes to use its revolutionary ezRNA™ platform to provide next-generation solutions for emerging RNA therapeutics.
EnPlusOne’s ezRNA™ platform is revolutionizing the delivery of RNA therapeutics, addressing challenges such as scaled production, hazardous waste generation, limited synthesis lengths, and access to innovative modifications. Through its unique approach, ezRNA™ has the potential to bring a diverse array of nucleotide modifications to market, making it a key factor in commercializing therapeutic RNA at scale.
EnPlusOne is thrilled to welcome Jon to its Scientific Advisory Board, an experienced researcher who has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to oligonucleotide synthesis and their use as precision medicines for treating diseases. According to Daniel Wiegand, MSChE and CEO of EnPlusOne, Jon’s expertise and knowledge will be invaluable as they develop and expand their operations. Traditional chemical synthesis approaches are not enough to keep up with the innovation of RNA technology, and EnPlusOne’s platform provides an improved way for the production of therapeutic oligonucleotides.
Since I first met the EnPlusOne team and was introduced to their groundbreaking technology, I have been truly impressed by their innovative approach. I’m excited to join the team and use my expertise to help the company reach its goal of delivering scalable and sustainable RNA solutions.
Dr. Watts, leading a research group of fifteen people at the RNA Therapeutics Institute at UMass Chan Medical School, is advancing the medicinal chemistry of various classes of oligonucleotides – from gene silencing to gene editing. He is recognized for his expertise, serving on the Editorial Boards of Nucleic Acid Therapeutics and Nucleic Acids Research, as well as the Scientific Advisory Council of the OTS. He holds a BSc in Chemistry from Dalhousie University and a PhD in Chemistry from McGill University and has earned numerous accolades, including the Young Investigator Award from OTS and the Angel Award from the Angel Fund for ALS Research. With his groundbreaking work, Dr. Watts is revolutionizing the field of RNA therapeutics.
EnPlusOne’s Scientific Advisory Board is a powerhouse of scientific knowledge and experience, led by Chief Scientific Officer Jonathan Rittichier, PhD. Joining him on the board is renowned geneticist George Church, PhD, Professor of Genetics at Harvard Medical School, Professor of Health Sciences and Technology at Harvard and MIT, and the leader of the Wyss Institute’s Synthetic Biology platform. Together, they are dedicated to pushing the boundaries of science to create new solutions to the world’s most pressing problems.
EnPlusOne Biosciences was born out of a passion for innovation and a desire to make a difference in healthcare. Founded by the renowned team of Dr. Church, Mr. Wiegand, Dr. Rittichier, and Daniel Ahlstedt in 2022, this technology spinout from the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University is on a mission to revolutionize the healthcare industry.
About EnPlusOne Biosciences: Enabling RNA
EnPlusOne is rewriting the future of RNA and RNA solutions, with their revolutionary ezRNA™ synthesis platform that can incorporate an array of nucleotide modifications. This groundbreaking platform delivers therapeutic RNA at an unprecedented scale – a promise that has finally become a reality. ezRNA™ is not limited to direct RNA synthesis, but also enables a variety of RNA solution applications. Launched in 2022 with the support of Northpond Ventures, Breakout Ventures, and Coatue, EnPlusOne is revolutionizing the world of RNA.