Merck Awards Advance Biotech Prize to Biotech Start-up Neoclease
Neoclease develops gene therapy for Parkinson's disease, the platform addresses 6000+ genetic diseases. The award winner will receive access to Merck's technologies and expertise to expand its AI-based genome editing platform.
Merck recently announced Boston-based biotech startup Neoclease as winner of the 2025 North American Advance Biotech Grant. The winner is the Boston-based US biotech start-up Neoclease, which is developing gene therapies for Parkinson's disease through AI-assisted genome editing.
“We’re committed to empowering biotech innovators who are advancing transformative modalities like gene editing,” said Sebastian Arana, Head of Process Solutions, Life Science business of Merck. “By combining Neoclease’s AI-designed gene-editing platform with our technologies, regulatory expertise, and process support, we aim to help accelerate new treatments that minimize side effects and maximize effectiveness for patients.”
Neoclease leverages generative AI and synthetic biology to create precision gene-editing therapies, with its lead candidate NCX-L2 targeting Parkinson's disease—a condition lacking disease-modifying treatments—to slow or halt progression. The company's approach holds promise for over 6,000 monogenic diseases by addressing root causes rather than symptoms. Through a grant, Neoclease gains access to Merck's products, technologies, contract testing services, and expert consultation via the M Lab Collaboration Center (offering hands-on process optimization) and the Emprove Program (simplifying risk management and regulatory compliance with quality documentation and support). These resources will accelerate process scaling, manufacturing optimization, and regulatory navigation.
The Advance Biotech Grant Program, launched in 2014, reflects Merck’s ongoing commitment to supporting early-stage biotech companies developing innovative therapies for patients. To date, more than 40 companies worldwide have received grants and technical support across a wide range of therapeutic areas including cancer, neurological diseases, and cardiovascular disorders. Merck will continue this global effort with upcoming grant awards in Asia-Pacific (October) and Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (November).
