EditCo Bio and Promega Team Up to Advance Cell-Based Research
In a pivotal move set to reshape the landscape of functional genomics and cell engineering, EditCo Bio, Inc. has announced a strategic licensing agreement with Promega Corporation. This collaboration grants EditCo access to three of Promega’s most powerful proprietary technologies—HiBiT, HaloTag®, and NanoLuc®—positioning EditCo to significantly enhance its CRISPR knock-in cell engineering services.
The integration of these bioluminescent and protein-tagging platforms into EditCo’s core genome editing workflows represents a strategic leap forward. By combining the precision of CRISPR-based gene editing with the robust performance of Promega’s protein analysis tools, EditCo aims to deliver a new gold standard in functional validation of genetically engineered cell models. This alliance not only strengthens EditCo’s portfolio but also supports a growing need among researchers and drug developers for highly reproducible, functionally validated cell systems for diverse biological applications.
Elevating the Standard of Engineered Cell Models
For the past several years, EditCo Bio has been a recognized innovator in the development of precision-engineered cells tailored for applications ranging from basic biological research to high-throughput drug discovery. The company has focused on improving the accuracy and efficiency of CRISPR-mediated knock-in processes—techniques that allow for precise insertion of genes or tags into specific genomic loci.
However, creating a gene-edited cell line is only one part of the challenge. Functional validation—ensuring that the inserted gene or protein tag behaves as expected within the native cellular context—is equally critical. Without robust validation, researchers risk working with cell models that do not accurately reflect biological reality, leading to inconsistent data and potential downstream failures in translational research.
By licensing and incorporating Promega’s HiBiT, HaloTag, and NanoLuc technologies, EditCo is addressing this challenge head-on. The addition of these tools allows EditCo to not only perform precise genetic modifications but also to monitor protein expression, localization, and functional activity with unparalleled sensitivity and specificity.
A Strategic Convergence of Complementary Technologies
The synergy between EditCo’s genome editing expertise and Promega’s functional proteomics technologies is central to the new licensing deal. Each of the licensed tools contributes a unique capability to the research workflow:
- NanoLuc® Luciferase is a next-generation luciferase enzyme that produces an exceptionally bright, stable bioluminescent signal. It is ideal for applications requiring real-time monitoring of cellular processes, offering higher sensitivity and lower background than traditional luciferases.
- HiBiT® Tag is a small, 11-amino-acid peptide tag that can be fused to a protein of interest and detected via luminescence through complementation with a larger component, LgBiT. The tag’s small size minimizes disruption to protein function, making it ideal for native expression studies.
- HaloTag® Technology enables covalent labeling of fusion proteins with a wide range of fluorescent and luminescent ligands. This flexibility makes it invaluable for imaging studies, pulldown assays, and real-time analysis of protein-protein interactions.
Together, these tools give EditCo’s clients the ability to create highly informative, multifunctional cellular models. These models support applications that go well beyond gene insertion—enabling researchers to assess whether the inserted protein is correctly expressed, properly localized, and functionally active within live cells.
Advancing Functional Genomics and Translational Research
“This collaboration with Promega underscores EditCo’s commitment to delivering industry-leading CRISPR-engineered cells that go beyond genetic modification by incorporating functional validation,” said Dr. Travis Maures, Chief Scientific Officer at EditCo Bio. “By integrating HiBiT, HaloTag, and NanoLuc into our knock-in workflows, we provide researchers with powerful tools to track protein expression, interactions, and activity with high sensitivity and accuracy. This partnership will accelerate discoveries in functional genomics, drug development, and therapeutic research.”
The alliance is expected to have a major impact on areas such as mechanistic studies, where researchers explore the biological underpinnings of disease; high-content drug screening, where robust, responsive cell lines are required; and translational medicine, where reliable cell models bridge the gap between bench and bedside.
Tom Livelli, Promega’s Vice President of Life Sciences, emphasized the broader implications of the agreement: “This agreement accelerates scientific innovation by providing researchers with advanced cellular models engineered for precise functional analysis. Leveraging these technologies enables scientists to probe protein dynamics directly within living cells, empowering deeper insights into complex biological mechanisms.”
Streamlining the Research Workflow with Validated Models
A key benefit of the integrated EditCo-Promega platform is the potential to streamline experimental workflows from start to finish. Traditional gene editing services often require researchers to perform extensive downstream validation and characterization themselves—an effort that is both time-consuming and resource-intensive.
With the incorporation of Promega’s bioluminescent technologies, EditCo can now deliver engineered cell lines that come pre-validated for proper protein expression, stability, and activity. This ready-to-use model not only saves time but also increases confidence in the resulting data.
Researchers using these models can immediately proceed with hypothesis testing, screening assays, or imaging studies, knowing EditCo Bio that the underlying biology has already been functionally confirmed. This is especially valuable in high-throughput or high-stakes EditCo Bio environments such as drug discovery, where reliable results are critical for decision-making.
Expanding Access to Advanced Cell Engineering Tools
EditCo’s licensing agreement with Promega is focused on research-use-only (RUO) applications, making these tools accessible to a wide array of academic and commercial research labs. The company will offer customized EditCo Bio knock-in services that integrate HiBiT, HaloTag, and NanoLuc directly into the genome of target cells—either at endogenous loci or within safe harbor sites.
This flexibility enables users to choose the most appropriate strategy for their scientific goals, whether it involves tagging EditCo Bio endogenous proteins to preserve native regulation or overexpressing proteins with functional tags for specialized studies.
Additionally, EditCo plans to offer modular validation packages as part of its service portfolio. These packages will include quantification of protein expression levels, assessment of subcellular localization, and tests of biological activity under relevant conditions.
A New Paradigm for CRISPR Knock-In Services
The strategic alliance between EditCo Bio and Promega Corporation is more than just a licensing deal—it marks a new chapter in the evolution of engineered cell systems. By marrying the precision of CRISPR knock-ins EditCo Bio with the analytical power EditCo Bio of advanced bioluminescent tools, the partnership creates a comprehensive solution for researchers seeking high-quality, functionally validated cell models.
As the demands of biomedical research continue to grow in complexity, the need for tools that provide both genetic accuracy and functional insight has never been greater. With this collaboration, EditCo and Promega are well-positioned to meet that need—paving the way for faster, more reliable discoveries in drug development, systems biology, and beyond.
