Simple and rapid SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic test project with 4basebio's contribution receives funding from "la Caixa" Banking Foundation

Heidelberg, Germany and Cambridge, UK, 20 May 2020 - 4basebio AG (Frankfurt: 4BSB; ISIN: DE000A2YN801; Prime Standard) announced today that the research consortium for the development of a new corona virus diagnosis approach led by Dr. Felipe Cortés (Spanish National Cancer Research Center) and Dr. Luis Blanco ("Severo Ochoa" Molecular Biology Center) has been granted the maximum amount of € 299,200 of funding from the "la Caixa" Banking Foundation CaixaImpulse. The project has been selected as one of six to receive funding from 349 high quality applications submitted for funding to the CaixaImpulse Express Call on COVID-19.

This research program, , is intended to develop a new way of diagnosing SARS-CoV-2 based on Phi29 DNA polymerase amplification. 4basebio will supply the enzymes and technical support within this project.

4basebio will collaborate with the research consortium through provision of its patented Phi29 DNA polymerase variants required for this project, as well as giving technical support and advice regarding the enzymes and suitable experimental conditions. If the project successfully develops an industrially scalable SARS-CoV-2 test, 4basebio will lead the commercialisation process by supplying the necessary proprietary enzymes and supporting the manufacture of the diagnostic devices to ensure the appropriate production and commercial exploitation.

The suggested novel method is expected to have important advantages with respect to current PCR-based detection methods for SARS-CoV-2 infection:

- no reverse transcription required

- performable at room temperature, bypassing the need for thermal cyclers

- faster and cheaper

- potentially increased sensitivity

About 4base bio:
4basebio AG, formerly operating under the name of Expedeon AG, is an enabler of exciting advances in medical science and patient care. After divestment of its immunology and proteomics products portfolio on 1 January 2020, the Company changed its name to 4basebio AG reflecting the enhanced focus on technologies and products centered around DNA. The Company is focussing on DNA manufacturing to supply DNA products for therapeutic and other uses requiring large amounts of high-purity DNA, such as the fast-growing market of novel gene therapies and gene vaccines. Besides DNA manufacturing, 4basebio aims at providing research and diagnostic products based on its RNA reverse transcriptase, DNA polymerase and DNA primase enzymes, addressing the research tools and diagnostic products markets.
4basebio AG has offices in Germany, Spain, UK, and the US. The Company is listed on the Prime Standard segment of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (Ticker: 4BSB; ISIN: DE000A2YN801). More information:

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For further information, please contact:

4basebio AG
Dr. Robert Mayer
Manager Investor Relations
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Investors' information: investors.4basebio.com

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Julia Hofmann
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