Monod Bio, a Seattle-based AI-enabled protein design company, and SignalChem Biotech Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sino Biological, Inc. (SZSE: 301047), have announced a non-exclusive licensing agreement covering Monod Bio’s proprietary LuxSit de novo luciferase technology and NovoBodies. The partnership, announced on August 26, 2026, allows SignalChem Biotech to incorporate these AI-designed protein technologies into custom luminescent assay development and protein-fusion services offered to third-party customers for research use.
This collaboration expands SignalChem’s specialized contract research organization (CRO) capabilities and supports Sino Biological’s broader strategy of integrating AI-enabled technologies across its global life science tools and services portfolio. Dr. Rob Burgess, Chief Business Officer of Sino Biological, emphasized the significance of the agreement: “By incorporating Monod Bio’s AI-designed protein technologies into SignalChem’s custom assay platform, we can help researchers obtain high quality discovery candidates more rapidly. This agreement and the corresponding licensed technology strengthen our ability to help customers address complex biological questions and advance their research programs more efficiently.”
Monod Bio’s LuxSit is an AI-designed luciferase engineered for use in robust luminescent biosensors, while its NovoBodies are compact, highly stable binding proteins engineered for high-performance recognition of various targets. Together, these technologies provide versatile tools for developing customized assays and discovery workflows. Daniel Silva Manzano, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of Monod Bio, stated, “SignalChem Biotech and Sino Biological have the scientific expertise, customer reach and service infrastructure to bring these technologies to a broad customer base. This partnership expands the reach of our platform and reinforces the value of our Monod Inside model for integrating AI-designed proteins into commercial products and services.”
The licensing agreement is a strategic move for Sino Biological, which has facilities across Asia, North America, and Europe. By adding Monod Bio’s AI-designed proteins to its service offerings, SignalChem Biotech can enhance its ability to support drug discovery and life science research. The partnership underscores a growing trend in the life science industry: the incorporation of artificial intelligence to design novel proteins that can accelerate research and development. For researchers, this means access to more advanced tools that could lead to faster identification of drug candidates and more efficient experimental workflows.
The financial impact of the agreement is expected to be modest, as noted in the disclaimer: “The development of the related business may be affected by various factors, including changes in market demand. Given the company’s broad product portfolio, the revenue associated with this business is not expected to have a material impact on the company’s overall financial performance.” Nevertheless, the deal represents a significant step for both companies in expanding their technological capabilities and market reach.
For more information about Sino Biological, visit www.sinobiological.com. For more information about Monod Bio, visit monod.bio.
