Combinature Biopharm

Combinature Biopharm was a German biotechnology company specializing in the discovery and development of novel natural product-based drugs. Founded in 2000 and headquartered in Berlin, the company utilized a proprietary combinatorial biosynthesis platform to genetically engineer microorganisms, enabling the production of "unnatural" natural products with optimized therapeutic properties. Their research primarily focused on complex molecules such as polyketides and non-ribosomal peptides for applications in infectious diseases and oncology. In 2006, Combinature Biopharm was acquired by Singapore-based MerLion Pharmaceuticals in a strategic merger that also included the Swiss company Athelas SA. Following the acquisition, the Berlin site became a key hub for MerLion's anti-infective drug development and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) screening activities.