February 17, 2026 — Leads & Copy — Watchmaker Genomics has announced a non-exclusive license agreement with Caribou Biosciences, Inc. for CRISPR-Cas9 intellectual property. The license will allow Watchmaker Genomics to use the technology in next-generation sequencing (NGS) library preparation.
Watchmaker Genomics plans to utilize CRISPR-Cas9 as a binding tool for library normalization, which has become a bottleneck as sequencing throughput increases. Normalization is a step in NGS workflows.
Brian Kudlow, CSO and Founder at Watchmaker Genomics, said the license will allow the company to rethink normalization, using CRISPR-Cas9 in a way that aligns with modern sequencing needs.
Traditional normalization relies on quantification and dilution steps, which add time and variability. Watchmaker Genomics’ CRISPR-Cas9-enabled approach uses adapter-specific guides to bind sequencing-ready libraries in a controlled manner, enabling standardization of library inputs without extensive quantification.
The process preserves library integrity and complexity, supporting downstream flexibility such as re-sequencing or workflow branching. The approach is compatible with existing adapters and fits into established pre-sequencing workflows without requiring specialized instrumentation or workflow redesign.
Brian added that the goal is to make normalization more predictable and compatible with how sequencing is done today: at scale, under automation, and across diverse sample types.
Watchmaker Genomics is adapting this CRISPR-Cas9-enabled strategy as a core component of a PCR-free whole genome sequencing (WGS) solution. The solution is designed to simplify operations, reduce DNA input requirements, and improve sequencing efficiency for large-scale population studies, newborn screening, and rare disease applications.
The license, combined with Watchmaker’s recently issued patent, reinforces Watchmaker’s commitment to developing technologies that simplify and strengthen sequencing workflows from sample to results. Workflow-level innovations will play an increasingly central role in improving efficiency, data quality, and accessibility for the clinic as sequencing continues to scale.
Watchmaker Genomics is a life sciences company focused on developing high-performance tools that empower genomic research and clinical applications. Watchmaker delivers precision reagents and platforms that enable accuracy, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness in molecular analysis.
The company is dedicated to advancing breakthrough technologies to support innovations in cancer detection, epigenetics, and liquid biopsy applications.
Source: Watchmaker Genomics
