ABOUT US
Our Mission is to make outsourcing strain development the new norm for companies and academics alike.
The Synthetic Biology Research Centre, based at the University of Nottingham, specialised in difficult-to-engineer industrially important and medically significant bacteria. Transforming many species was difficult or impossible, and using CRISPR caused additional problems for DNA transfer and modification of the target organism.
To solve these problems, Forge Editing was invented. This technique uses no CRISPR proteins whatsoever, but still benefits from the reprogrammability allowed by an RNA targeting region.
Forge Genetics was spun-out to commercialise this technique - offering strain development and licensing opportunities for Forge Editing technology.
Since developing Forge Editing, we have demonstrated the technique in 6 different bacterial species, comprising Clostridium, Escherichia, Staphylococcus and Bacillus, with 30+ individual knockouts and 10+ heterologous insertion strains.
Forge Editing technology bears the potential for wide scope of application across diverse biological systems.
THE FORGE GENETICS TEAM
CEO
Co-Founder
Dr Craig Woods
Dr Craig Woods has a PhD in Molecular Microbiology and was a post-doctoral researcher at the University of Nottingham. Craig then went on to join the founding team of Deep Branch Biotechnology, serving as Associate Scientific Director and VP of R&D before becoming CEO of Forge Genetics.
CSO
Co-Founder
Dr Chris Humphreys
Dr Chris Humphreys has over 14 years of experience in the development and implementation of genetic tools in recalcitrant microorganisms. As CSO at Forge Genetics, Chris manages the scientific direction of the team, overseeing both the microbial contract research projects and the internal development of our proprietary technology.
Co-Founder
Professor Nigel P Minton
Professor Nigel Minton is co-founder and chair of Forge Genetics. Nigel has filed 23 patents, published over 225 articles, supervised 80+ PhD students and has secured more than £50M in funding. He has leveraged his expertise consulting for Merck, Protherics and Pfizer and sat on the scientific advisory boards of Cobalt, Deep Branch and LanzaTech.
CFO
Dr Lisa Thomas
Dr Lisa Thomas is a life science business coach and was previously the Director of the Innovate UK ICURe Launch Programme at the Pioneer Group, specialist life science investors. Her career started with a Regenerative Medicine PhD, before training with PwC as a chartered accountant specialising in R&D tax and innovation grants.
Chairman
Paul Edwards MBE
Paul Edwards MBE brings over 40 years of experience in life sciences, including senior leadership roles at Beecham Pharmaceuticals, Genzyme, and GeneMedix where he led the company’s dual listing on the London and Singapore Stock Exchanges.
Research Scientist
Dr Patrick Ingle
Dr Patrick Ingle completed his PhD where he developed new genetic tools to engineer Clostridiodes difficile, before joining Forge Genetics. Patrick now draws upon 11+ years of experience in genome editing in non-standard microorganisms in his role leading the contract research work at Forge Genetics.
Research Scientist
Dr Alex Rawson
Dr Alex Rawson joined Forge Genetics after completing his PhD in pathogenic clostridia at the University of Nottingham. With over half a decade of experience in bacterial genetic engineering, Alex heads the research and development branch of Forge Genetics.
Research Scientist
Dr Louise Von Emloh
Dr Louise Von Emloh joined Forge Genetics after completing her PhD in combating Clostridium difficile infection through spore germination control at the University of Nottingham before continuing research as a post-doctoral researcher. Louise is now a Research Scientist at Forge Genetics, utilising her background in engineering non-standard microorganisms to carry out contract research work at Forge Genetics.
Research Scientist
Dr James Millard
Dr James Millard completed his PhD at the University of Nottingham, developing genetic tools for gas-fermenting bacteria. James then worked with business-academic consortia to develop novel bioprocesses as a post-doctoral researcher at the Synthetic Biology Research Centre, going on to become fermentation lead, before joining Forge Genetics.
Strategic Advisor
Dr Patrick Ginty
Dr Patrick Ginty, RAC(US), is a Senior Director of Regulatory Affairs at Boyds Consultants, where he leads the cell and gene therapy project pipeline. Patrick has 18+ years’ of experience in leadership, R&D and regulatory affairs in the cell and gene therapy industry, across multiple therapeutic areas. Patrick brings valuable insights and strategic direction to Forge Genetics as an advisory board member.
Strategic Advisor
Barnaby Kent
Barnaby has over 25 years of experience across technology and M&A leadership roles. He was previously CEO at Plumtree Group and was COO at LSE:AIM listed Ideagen before their acquisition in 2022 for £1 billion. Barnaby’s role on the advisory board will leverage his knowledge in scaling and leadership, providing Forge Genetics with invaluable guidance for strategic development.