Collaboration Between New England Biolabs and Touchlight Launches Synthesis Kit

New England Biolabs (NEB), in partnership with Touchlight, has introduced the EnClose Cell-free dbDNA Synthesis Kit, which facilitates benchtop enzymatic synthesis of Touchlight's proprietary doggybone DNA (dbDNA). This linear, covalently closed, double-stranded DNA provides researchers with a cell-free alternative to traditional plasmid DNA for the development of nucleic acid therapeutics. NEB highlights that the kit addresses a significant bottleneck in advanced therapy development by eliminating the necessity for large-scale fermentation, cell banking, and the lengthy manufacturing timelines typically associated with plasmid DNA. Dr. Ashley Luck, Associate Director of Applications and Development at NEB, noted that this technology enables rapid screening and production of high-purity DNA templates directly at the benchtop, potentially reducing development timelines for mRNA vaccines and gene therapies by several months. NEB emphasizes that the kit offers an optimized enzymatic workflow capable of producing high yields of closed-ended DNA within a single day, while also avoiding bacterial sequences and antibiotic resistance genes, thereby enhancing safety and supporting regulatory compliance.

According to Precedence Research, the Viral or Non-Viral Vectors Market was valued at USD 9.40 billion in 2025 and is projected to grow from USD 11.07 billion in 2026 to approximately USD 48.37 billion by 2035, expanding at a CAGR of 17.80% from 2026 to 2035, driven by the increasing prevalence of genetic disorders.

The technology is linearly scalable from research to production, making it suitable for viral vector manufacturing, including adeno-associated virus (AAV) and lentiviral (LV) vectors, as well as non-viral gene therapy, mRNA therapeutics, and gene editing. The enzymatic process can also synthesize challenging sequences such as long poly(A) tails and viral inverted terminal repeats.

Touchlight chief business officer Dr Tommy Duncan said the collaboration with NEB expands researchers’ access to dbDNA technology. By combining Touchlight’s proprietary platform with NEB’s enzymology expertise, the partners have developed an optimized workflow that supports rapid construct screening, high-throughput prototyping, and progression to larger-scale manufacturing.

A recent report by Precedence Research highlights that the Viral or Non-Viral Vectors Market is benefiting from the rising adoption of healthcare technological advancements.