Partnership delivers advanced reverse transcriptase technology to enhance sensitivity, robustness and reproducibility of molecular analysis in clinical, applied and pharmaceutical applications

-Promega Corporation has entered a strategic partnership with Watchmaker Genomics to license a novel engineered reverse transcriptase. Designed for enhanced accuracy and sensitivity in RNA analysis, the enzyme will enhance Promega capabilities to manufacture and deliver both catalog and customized solutions for clinical, applied and pharmaceutical molecular applications.

“Watchmaker’s enzyme offers a combination of attributes that establish a new benchmark for reverse transcriptase performance,” says Sara Mann, VP of Commercial Excellence at Promega. “By incorporating it into our portfolio, we are giving customers a powerful tool for improved accuracy and enhanced sensitivity of RNA-based assays.”

This partnership marks the beginning of an expanded collaboration between Watchmaker Genomics and Promega, with both companies committed to developing next-generation enzyme technologies that address the evolving needs of molecular diagnostics and life science research.

Engineered for Clinical and Research Precision

Developed with Watchmaker’s proprietary protein engineering platform, the reverse transcriptase reflects the same precision design principles that underpin Watchmaker’s next-generation sequencing (NGS) reagent portfolio and delivers performance advantages that set it apart in advancing molecular analysis applications. Features of the enzyme include:

• Industry-leading thermostability for efficient cDNA synthesis at elevated temperatures
• Exceptional inhibitor tolerance for challenging samples
• Enhanced processivity to boost sensitivity for low-abundance targets

“This enzyme will meaningfully improve the accuracy and reliability of RNA analysis in diagnostic and research labs,” says Brian Kudlow, Chief Scientific Officer of Watchmaker Genomics. “This collaboration showcases the power of our enzyme engineering platform to deliver specialized genomics solutions.”

The agreement expands the Promega nucleic acid analysis portfolio with a reverse transcriptase that delivers the sensitivity, robustness, and reproducibility required for today’s most demanding clinical, applied and pharma/biotech applications.