Recombinetics

Recombinetics is a St. Paul, Minnesota-based bio-engineering company. The company was founded in 2008, and has since raised more than $34 million from private investors. Mark Platt is the CEO. The company develops gene-editing applications for animal agriculture and biomedical research, and has been known for work on hornless cattle and research involving pigs.

In November 2024, Recombinetics filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The company was acquired by Trans Ova Genetics for $4.1 million.

Products

It is known for developing genetically engineered hornless cattle, and is working on growing human organs and tissues in pigs. While it created a cow that does not grow horns, during the creation process it also added genes from bacteria that could produce antibiotic resistance. This occurred despite the CEO claiming that they had proof there were no other effects than the horns not being present. Due to the bacterial DNA, it is unlikely that the animals will get FDA approval, and a number of them have been killed and the bodies burned.

References

  1. ↑ Schaust, Sam (1 May 2017). "Recombinetics Raises $7M, Hints at Bigger Funding Efforts Ahead". Twin Cities Business. Archived from the original on 2017-05-01. Retrieved 27 September 2017.
  2. ↑ "Recombinetics closes $34m in series A funding". Feedstuffs. Retrieved 2026-06-26.
  3. ↑ "Recombinetics Announces New Chief Executive Officer". businesswire.com. 2019-02-11. Retrieved 2020-08-12.
  4. ↑ McGowan, Kat. "This scientist might end animal cruelty—unless GMO hardliners stop him". Mother Jones. Retrieved 2026-06-26.
  5. ↑ Stefanescu, Victor (November 13, 2024). "Recombinetics, which engineered hornless dairy bulls, files for bankruptcy". Star Tribune. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
  6. ↑ "Affiliated Companies". Trans Ova Genetics. Retrieved 2026-06-26.
  7. ↑ Pettitt, Jeniece (9 September 2017). "These pigs are helping researchers find cures for cancer, and could someday grow human organs". CNBC. Retrieved 27 September 2017.
  8. 1 2 3 Regalado, Antonio. "Gene-edited cattle have a major screwup in their DNA". MIT Technology Review. Retrieved 31 August 2019.