Beam Therapeutics

Beam Therapeutics is a biotechnology company at the forefront of developing precision genetic medicines. Founded in 2017 by leading scientists in the gene editing field, including David R. Liu, Feng Zhang, and J. Keith Joung, the company is pioneering the use of base editing technology to create a new class of therapeutics. This innovative approach allows for the direct and irreversible correction of single-letter mutations in the genome without making double-stranded breaks in the DNA. This method is designed to be more precise and have fewer off-target effects compared to traditional gene-editing technologies like CRISPR-Cas9. The company's mission is to provide life-long cures for patients suffering from serious diseases by rewriting the genome with unprecedented accuracy.

The company's research and development efforts are focused on a diversified portfolio of programs targeting a wide range of genetic diseases. Key areas of focus include hematology, with programs like BEAM-101 for sickle cell disease and beta-thalassemia, as well as liver diseases, such as alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, with its BEAM-302 candidate. Beam Therapeutics is also exploring applications in immunology and oncology. The company's platform integrates its proprietary base editing technology with a suite of delivery technologies, including lipid nanoparticles (LNP) and electroporation, to enable the effective delivery of its genetic medicines to the target cells and tissues. Headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, a major hub for biotechnology innovation, Beam Therapeutics is strategically positioned to collaborate with leading academic institutions and pharmaceutical companies to advance its therapeutic pipeline and bring its potentially transformative medicines to patients in need.