Multiple discoveries born from the minds and hard work of Waisman Center investigators have left the nest to become successful companies or products that have had a significant impact in the world through translational research.
In 1990, physician scientist Jon Wolff, MD, made a discovery on delivering DNA to muscle cells that revolutionized gene therapy and was eventually fundamental to the development of the COVID-19 vaccines. The late Waisman Center investigator and his colleagues found a new way of delivering genetic material – DNA and mRNA – into muscles. Later on, Wolff continued to develop gene delivery technologies that became the gold standard in the field, demonstrating a higher efficiency than the existing viral vectors.
Wolff became internationally distinguished in the field for his role in advancing gene therapy. His work and discoveries led to the development of a company, Mirus Bio, which Wolff co-founded along with two colleagues. Mirus Bio, heavily influenced by the research done in Wolff’s lab at the Waisman Center, continues to develop innovative non-viral gene delivery technologies for research in gene therapy.