Fraunhofer USA Center for Molecular Biotechnology

The Fraunhofer USA Center for Molecular Biotechnology (FhCMB) was a non-profit research organization dedicated to developing plant-based protein expression systems for medical applications. Established in 2001 and based in Newark, Delaware, the center was renowned for its proprietary Launch-Pad technology, which utilized tobacco plants (Nicotiana benthamiana) to rapidly produce vaccines and therapeutics. FhCMB played a critical role in biodefense and global health initiatives, collaborating with DARPA and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation on candidates for influenza, anthrax, and malaria. The facility included a state-of-the-art pilot plant for GMP-compliant manufacturing of plant-derived biologics. Following a strategic reorganization by its parent organization, Fraunhofer USA, the center ceased operations in 2020. Its legacy remains influential in the field of molecular farming and rapid-response vaccine production.