Cirsium Biosciences
Cirsium Biosciences is a San Diego-based biotech that uses whole Nicotiana benthamiana plants as bioreactors to manufacture adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors for gene therapy developers, operating a hybrid hub-and-spoke contract manufacturing model anchored by its 50,000 sq ft The Grove facility.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2019
- HeadquartersSan Diego, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Cirsium Biosciences does
Cirsium Biosciences is a San Diego-based, venture-backed biotechnology company founded in 2019 (originally as Vecprobio, Inc.) that has developed a proprietary plant-based manufacturing platform for adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors used in gene therapy. The core technology uses whole Nicotiana benthamiana plants as bioreactors, employing agro-infiltration with plant-specific helper plasmids and proprietary controlled environment agriculture (CEA) systems to produce recombinant AAV vectors at claimed yields of up to 1e15vg/kg, with up to 70% reductions in manufacturing lead times versus traditional cGMP mammalian-cell production. The company operates a hybrid hub-and-spoke model in which it owns upstream plant-based production and partners with downstream CDMOs (notably Matica Biotechnology) for purification and analytical services.
The commercial offering consists of contract development and manufacturing services for AAV gene therapy developers, supported by The Grove — a 50,000 sq ft purpose-built facility (35,000+ sq ft of dedicated manufacturing and R&D space) that opened in April 2026 with vertical farming systems and end-to-end automation. The customer base is concentrated among a small set of named strategic partners: Matica Biotechnology (also a downstream collaborator and Open Access Platform partner), Dyno Therapeutics (Frontiers Network partner), Opus Genetics, Sylamore Bio, and academic groups including the University of Florida's PGTL. Revenue is generated through non-exclusive, customized manufacturing service arrangements; pricing is not publicly disclosed. Cirsium has raised over $10 million in venture capital from Insight Partners, PhiFund Ventures, KdT Ventures, and JLABS, and was selected as an ARPA-H Project Awardee in September 2024.
Cirsium Biosciences firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Cirsium Biosciences
- Legal name
- Cirsium Biosciences
- Website
- https://cirsiumbio.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2019
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Cirsium Biosciences is a San Diego-based biotech that uses whole Nicotiana benthamiana plants as bioreactors to manufacture adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors for gene therapy developers, operating a hybrid hub-and-spoke contract manufacturing model anchored by its 50,000 sq ft The Grove facility.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Cirsium Biosciences industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Viral Vector CDMO Services
- NAICS
- Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)
- SIC
- Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Gene Therapy (Viral Vector/Plasmid) CDMO (HLAGABAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- AAV Vector Gene Therapy Developers (HLAAACAA), Viral Vector Manufacturing Services (AAV, lentiviral, adenoviral) (HLAAAKAD), Gene Therapy CMC/Process Development Platforms (capsid engineering, producer cell lines, plasmids, upstream/downstream) (HLAAACAN)
Keywords
Where Cirsium Biosciences is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Diego
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Cirsium Biosciences business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- AAV Manufacturing Services: Contract development and manufacturing services for AAV vectors using the plant-based platform, supporting gene therapy developers from early research through clinical-scale production. The company operates a hybrid hub-and-spoke model combining internal plant-based production with downstream partners.
- Strategic Partnership Services: Partnership-based manufacturing collaborations with CDMOs and technology partners, providing flexible, non-exclusive manufacturing pathways aligned with the hybrid hub-and-spoke model.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Cirsium Biosciences product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Cirsium Biosciences operates a proprietary plant-based manufacturing platform that uses whole plants (Nicotiana benthamiana) as bioreactors to produce adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors for gene therapy. The platform combines transient gene delivery via agro-infiltration in high-density Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) systems with GMP-aligned downstream purification, enabling contract development and manufacturing services for AAV gene therapy developers from early research through clinical-scale production.
Product overview
Cirsium Biosciences offers a unified plant-based AAV manufacturing platform centered on its proprietary plant bioreactor technology. The core offering is the Plant-Based AAV Production Platform, which combines Upstream Non-GMP Production (using agro-infiltration of Nicotiana benthamiana plants) with Downstream GMP Purification capabilities. This platform is housed at The Grove, the company's 50,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in San Diego. Additional capabilities are extended through the Matica Open Access Platform Integration, enabling external downstream and analytical support. The company targets AAV gene therapy developers, academic researchers, and technology innovators seeking scalable, rapid, and cost-effective viral vector manufacturing.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Plant-Based AAV Production Platform A proprietary manufacturing platform that uses whole plants (Nicotiana benthamiana) as natural bioreactors with transient gene delivery via agro-infiltration and high-density Controlled Environment Agriculture to produce adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors for gene therapy developers from early research through clinical-scale production.
- The Grove Manufacturing Facility A 50,000-square-foot AAV gene therapy manufacturing facility in San Diego featuring vertical farming systems, end-to-end automation, and 35,000+ sq ft of dedicated manufacturing and R&D space to support client programs from early research through clinical trials.
Quantifiable outcome
- Up to 70% reduction in manufacturing lead times for gene therapies compared to traditional AAV production
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Cirsium Biosciences
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Cirsium Biosciences technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
Cirsium Biosciences partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Matica BiotechnologycoreCirsium joined the Matica Open Access Platform as the first customer, integrating plant-based AAV technology with Matica Bio's downstream and analytical expertise. The partnership enables flexible, non-exclusive manufacturing pathways aligned with Cirsium's hybrid hub-and-spoke model, providing transparent process development, interoperable technologies, and accelerated scalability from early development to commercial readiness.
- Dyno TherapeuticscoreSelected as a manufacturing partner in the Dyno Frontiers Network, participating in the expanded frontiers network and second annual Genetic Agency Technology Conference (GATC).
- Matica BiotechnologycoreNon-exclusive strategic partnership where Matica Bio serves as an early adopter and partner providing analytical and downstream support that complements Cirsium's plant-based technology. This collaboration embodies Cirsium's hybrid hub-and-spoke manufacturing model combining internal plant-based AAV production with downstream collaborators.
- Opus GeneticsminorPartner advancing the development of next-generation gene therapies with the goal of addressing unmet patient needs.
- University of Florida (PGTL)minorAcademic research partner working to transform scientific discoveries into therapeutic opportunities for rare and complex diseases.
- Sylamore BiominorPartner advancing rare and complex disease research through innovative technologies, platforms, and data-driven solutions.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Cirsium Biosciences competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- AGC Biologics: Large-scale CDMO offering viral vector (including AAV) and biologics manufacturing services; comparable as a broad incumbent serving gene therapy developers with established processes.
- Thermo Fisher Scientific (Brammer Bio): Through its Brammer Bio acquisition, Thermo Fisher provides viral vector CDMO services for AAV and lentiviral production; a broad incumbent serving similar gene therapy customers.
- Catalent: Major global CDMO with viral vector manufacturing capabilities (formerly Paragon Bioservices); a broad incumbent offering AAV process development and GMP manufacturing.
- uniQure: Clinical-stage AAV gene therapy developer with proprietary manufacturing capabilities; comparable as both an AAV developer customer and a vertically integrated competitor.
- Lonza: One of the largest CDMOs globally, with established AAV and viral vector manufacturing capacity; broad incumbent competing for high-volume gene therapy manufacturing contracts.
Direct peers
- Genezen: Viral vector CDMO specializing in AAV and lentiviral production for gene therapy developers; a directly comparable emerging CDMO competing for similar customers and programs.
- Matica Biotechnology: Viral vector CDMO offering AAV and cell therapy manufacturing services; directly comparable as Cirsium's primary strategic downstream partner and a competing CDMO option for gene therapy developers.
- Forge Biologics: Viral vector and gene therapy CDMO with end-to-end AAV, lentiviral, and plasmid manufacturing capacity; a directly comparable contract manufacturer competing for similar gene therapy customers.
Emerging players
- Vineti: Cell and gene therapy supply chain/operations platform; comparable as an enabling ecosystem participant supporting gene therapy commercialization alongside CDMOs like Cirsium.
- Dyno Therapeutics: AAV capsid engineering platform partnering with Cirsium inside the Dyno Frontiers Network; overlaps as a gene therapy enablement player focused on next-generation AAV vectors.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Cirsium Biosciences social profiles
Digital presenceCirsium Biosciences financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Cirsium Biosciences leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
Cirsium Biosciences funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors4 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Cirsium Biosciences M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Cirsium Biosciences
What does Cirsium Biosciences do?
Cirsium Biosciences operates a proprietary plant-based manufacturing platform that uses whole plants (Nicotiana benthamiana) as bioreactors to produce adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors for gene therapy. The platform combines transient gene delivery via agro-infiltration in high-density Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) systems with GMP-aligned downstream purification, enabling contract development and manufacturing services for AAV gene therapy developers from early research through clinical-scale production.
Is Cirsium Biosciences a public or private company?
Cirsium Biosciences is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Cirsium Biosciences founded?
Cirsium Biosciences was founded in 2019. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Cirsium Biosciences based?
Cirsium Biosciences is headquartered in San Diego, United States, in the North America region.
How does Cirsium Biosciences make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. AAV Manufacturing Services are the primary driver. The others are strategic Partnership Services.
Who are Cirsium Biosciences's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are AGC Biologics, Thermo Fisher Scientific (Brammer Bio), Catalent, uniQure and Lonza. Direct peers are Genezen, Matica Biotechnology and Forge Biologics. Emerging players are Vineti and Dyno Therapeutics.
Does Cirsium Biosciences have an API?
No public API is recorded for Cirsium Biosciences.
What industry is Cirsium Biosciences in?
Cirsium Biosciences's product category is Viral Vector CDMO Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAGABAE, Gene Therapy (Viral Vector/Plasmid) CDMO, with a secondary code of HLAAACAA, AAV Vector Gene Therapy Developers. Its NAICS code is 541714 and its SIC code is 8731.