Craig Mosman and Dr. Ryan Jackson visit IZS and IZSUM

SALT LAKE CITY, UT, May 21, 2022 — Seek Labs, a healthcare innovations company doing research in infectious disease diagnostic systems and CRISPR-based pharmaceuticals, is pleased to share Craig Mosman, VP of Business Development, recently traveled to Italy with Dr. Ryan Jackson PhD–Utah State University professor and Seek Labs consultant–to advise on the novel CRISPR method being developed by Seek Labs to fight African Swine Fever (ASF).

ASF is a virus that causes 100% mortality in pigs within 7-10 days. Between 2018 and 2023, ASF was attributed to an estimated 400 million deaths in pigs, either from pigs contracting the virus itself or culling methods to stop the virus’ spread. ASF has no known effective therapeutic or vaccine.

On May 16, Mosman and Dr. Jackson met with scientists at Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sardegna (IZS) in Sassari on the island of Sardinia, Italy. Seek Labs has partnered with IZS to conduct In Vitro testing of a novel CRISPR pharmaceutical developed by Dr. Jackson that targets ASF. Dr. Jackson also lectured to 12 scientists on the origins and development of CRISPR and discussed the strategies being done at IZS on behalf of Seek Labs.

IZS is a respected veterinary research institute with the resources, expertise, and facilities to conduct research into various veterinary diseases, including AFS. IZS scientists have achieved a significant reduction in the viral load of African Swine Fever Virus (ASFV) in infected cells where the SEEK CRISPR plasmid was used. The Infected cells applied with the Seek CRISPR plasmid showed a 65% viral decrease instead of the expected viral growth.

On May 18, Mosman and Dr. Jackson traveled to Perugia, Italy to meet with scientists at Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Umbria e delle Marche (IZSUM). At IZSUM, Mosman and Dr. Jackson also met with Dr. Vincenzo Caputo, the Director General of the Institute. Dr. Caputo addressed an audience of 32 scientists from the institute where he thanked Dr Jackson and Craig Mosman for coming to Perugia and praised the collaboration between Seek Labs and IZSUM. Dr. Jackson also lectured to the audience on the origins and development of CRISPR.

Seek Labs has partnered with IZSUM to conduct ASF animal trials using the Seek CRISPR plasmid. IZSUM has the expertise and capability to conduct live animal testing with live virus in BSL3 facilities. Dr. Maria Serena Beato, the lead scientist at IZSUM, will lead this project. Dr. Jackson met with Dr. Beato and Dr. Francesco Felizioni to discuss planned work in live animals at IZSUM.