Biotech Startup Eliminates Major Dog Allergen in Beagle Pups Using CRISPR

Researchers at Kindred Companion Sciences, a startup based in New York, have successfully employed CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing to breed dogs that lack the primary protein responsible for dog allergies in humans. This significant advancement in veterinary biotechnology is detailed in a study published online in The CRISPR Journal, featuring the births of two healthy beagle puppies, Alfie and Bailey.

Allergies to dogs affect about one in seven people globally, leading to allergic rhinitis and asthma symptoms. Among those affected is Matt Walker, PhD, CEO of Kindred Companion Sciences and the study's lead author. “I’ve been allergic to dogs my whole life,” Walker shared in an interview. His severe allergic reactions prevented his family from having a dog until he left for university, where they finally got a goldendoodle. However, Walker still experienced allergic reactions despite the breed being considered hypoallergenic.

The death of his family dog prompted Walker to reflect on traditional breeding methods for specific traits. “I wondered if we could more directly address the problem of allergies by targeting the allergen at its biological source,” he recalled. The primary allergen in dogs, Can f 1, is a small protein secreted in saliva and skin, and prior research indicated that knocking out the gene in mice did not harm their health.

Using CRISPR, Walker introduced a mutation in the Can f 1 gene, effectively disrupting the protein's production. “We didn’t introduce any foreign DNA,” he stated. “This type of genetic change occurs naturally in dogs. All we did was direct it at this specific site.” The gene-edited cells were then used to create embryos that were implanted in a surrogate beagle, resulting in the birth of Alfie and Bailey in September 2024.

Testing confirmed that the edited pups did not produce residual Can f 1 protein, unlike their poodle and goldendoodle counterparts. Walker's personal experience was a testament to their success: “When I had no reaction to Bailey after she came home with us, my immediate reaction was skepticism.” Further interactions with other dogs confirmed that his allergies remained, affirming the effectiveness of the gene editing.

The study concludes that “targeted genetic knockout of the major dog allergen is compatible with canine development and can abolish the IgE-mediated allergic response.” Alfie and Bailey have shown normal growth and health, supporting the notion that Can f 1 is not essential for the dog's well-being.

Interestingly, the Can f 1 allergen in dogs is distinct from the major allergen found in cats. Following a related study in 2022, South Korean researchers successfully engineered hypoallergenic cats using CRISPR in 2024.

Walker noted that Kindred Companion Sciences was initially named Can9 Bioengineering but changed to a more accessible name. He described starting a company as similar to completing a PhD: “Both of these things come down to solving problems in imaginative ways.”

While Bailey enjoys life with Walker in Manhattan, Alfie resides with co-founder Nick Gavin in Florida. The duo, who met at Harvard, operates from a shared wet lab facility in Harlem. Walker views their research as a departure from conventional allergy treatments, aiming to create a genetic platform to target multiple dog allergens. “We’re going to be tackling other breeds and hopefully applying our work to service animals,” he explained, highlighting the regulatory process involved.

Walker expressed his excitement about having a dog at home: “It’s amazing! She’s totally changed my life!”