Scope Biosciences brings diagnostics out of the lab
Scope Biosciences B.V. is a deep tech spin-off from Wageningen University & Research that focuses on CRISPR-based diagnostics. Scope Biosciences specialises in developing on-site, highly accurate molecular diagnostics using CRISPR-Cas technology. This innovative approach allows for the rapid identification of specific viruses and bacteria, making their test a game-changer compared to the well-known but laboratory-based PCR in the Agri-Food sector. Its simplicity and on-site applicability make it invaluable for plant breeders, allowing them to quickly screen for various plant viruses.
The story of Scope Biosciences starts back in 2017, when founders Niek Savelkoul and Jurre Steens presented their innovative idea for the first time in a student challenge as WUR students. After that, they were offered the opportunity to use lab space in the Laboratory of Microbiology of the Agrotechnology & Food Sciences Group (AFSG) to develop their idea. In 2018 Savelkoul and Steens got funding to study the feasibility of start-ups. Later they also applied for the Road to Innovation grant, an internal WUR funding to support them on their entrepreneurial journey. Thanks to these funding streams, they were able to cover salaries and lab expenses initially and to build their first prototype using the facilities of WUR, which led in 2020 to spinning-off Scope Biosciences as a company. The Road to Innovation grant was instrumental in assessing the feasibility of the innovation while the Knowledge Transfer Office (KTO) of WUR played an important role in negotiating the term sheet for spin-off. Scope Biosciences’ technology is based on the pioneering research of WUR scientists John van der Oost and Raymond Staals. While Scope Biosciences is no longer located in the Laboratory of Microbiology but in Plus Ultra I on Wageningen campus, the team continues to work closely with the two researchers.
scopeDx®: Bringing diagnostics out of the lab
ScopeBio’s main mission is a next-gen CRISPR-based molecular diagnostics platform -scopeDx®. scopeDx® delivers ultra-precise, single-nucleotide detection in a format that’s portable and field-ready without proprietary hardware or centralised labs. The technology allows diagnostics to be performed closer to the source, meaning in the field, at the point of care, or directly within agricultural operations. In agriculture, this means earlier and more effective detection of crop diseases.
While their primary focus is the Agri-Food sector, the technology also holds promise in the medical domain. A collaboration with GenDx showcases the versatility of the CRISPR diagnostics system in medical diagnostics. It contributes to faster and broader access to reliable testing, especially in areas where centralised laboratories are not available. It allows for rapid analysis in critical situations.
“We’re proud to have secured significant public and private support as we bring our technology closer to market,” said Savelkoul. “We’re scaling up, building out our platform and getting ready to meet real-world diagnostic challenges head-on.”
Entrepreneurial climate
Scope Biosciences is headquartered on the Wageningen Campus and is embedded in the vibrant innovation ecosystem of the East Netherlands region. According to Savelkoul, the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Wageningen has developed impressively over the past few years. “Wageningen has grown into a breeding ground for innovative start-ups and spin-offs. There are now various programmes and initiatives that support and guide young companies, making the entrepreneurial climate increasingly professional and streamlined. We’ve also established a great research facility at the heart of the campus. Our collaboration with Wageningen University & Research, which is crucial for us, has been excellent. Over the past years, I’ve seen WUR evolve into a much more proactive organisation when it comes to entrepreneurship. It’s an institution that recognises and nurtures talent and helps to create real impact in society.”
Read more about Scope Biosciences here.
