AgBiome
Acquisition in 2024
AgBiome, LLC is a biotechnology company based in Durham, North Carolina, that focuses on the agriculture industry through the development of biological products. Founded in 2012, AgBiome leverages its expertise in plant-associated microbes and modern genomics to create innovative solutions aimed at enhancing plant health, pest resistance, and crop yields. The company addresses critical agricultural challenges, including soil-borne diseases, insects, and nematodes, by offering fungicides and a platform that identifies and screens diverse microbial strains. AgBiome collaborates with prominent agricultural partners to accelerate discovery processes and broaden the reach of its sustainable products in global markets. With a dedicated team of over 85 employees and a state-of-the-art laboratory and greenhouse facility, AgBiome is committed to improving food production responsibly.
Proof Diagnostics
Acquisition in 2024
Proof Diagnostics is a life sciences company focused on developing diagnostic tools and therapeutic applications. The company specializes in creating rapid diagnostic tests for infectious diseases, including a critical test for the detection of coronavirus infection. With a commitment to enhancing patient care, Proof Diagnostics designs and manufactures diagnostic kits that empower medical professionals to accurately and efficiently test patients for various infections. Additionally, the company is working on a smart, portable system aimed at expanding the capabilities of disease detection.
Patch Biosciences
Acquisition in 2024
Patch Biosciences is a biotechnology company that specializes in developing machine-designed DNA for gene therapy applications. The company has created a platform that leverages synthetic biology and machine learning to engineer genetic medicines. This platform aims to produce gene therapies that are effective, specific, and durable, enabling the treatment of a broad range of diseases. By focusing on large-scale DNA synthesis, Patch Biosciences seeks to enhance the safety and efficacy of genetic therapies, ultimately contributing to advancements in the healthcare sector.
Reverie Labs
Acquisition in 2024
Reverie Labs is a Boston-based company focused on enhancing the drug development process through advanced machine learning techniques. The company specializes in predicting the biophysicochemical properties of drug candidates, which aids pharmaceutical companies in accelerating preclinical development. By utilizing structure-based predictive models, Reverie Labs assesses the potency of small molecules and employs a multi-objective molecular optimizer to design new compounds that balance potency and synthesizability. This innovative approach allows for the prioritization and optimization of molecules, facilitating their progression to animal and human clinical trials in a more efficient manner. Through its computational platform, Reverie Labs aims to streamline the drug design pipeline, ultimately improving the identification of viable drug candidates.
Circularis Biotechnologies
Acquisition in 2022
Circularis Biotechnologies, Inc. is a biotechnology company founded in 2014 and headquartered in Oakland, California. The company specializes in developing innovative methods to regulate gene expression, which enhances the production yields of biotherapeutics. Circularis offers a range of products, including RACRE Variant Libraries, hCMV Variant Library, Protein expression with CMV promoters, and T7 Variant Library. In addition, it provides various services such as RACRE Enhancement, RACRE Discovery, RACRE Technology Access Program, and Ribozyme Analysis of Cis-Regulatory Elements. Through its advanced technologies and services, Circularis aims to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of biotherapeutic production.
Altar is a biotechnology firm focused on automated fluidics technology for industrial applications involving microorganisms. It designs and operates proprietary systems that enhance microbial performance, making them suitable for commercial use in sectors such as food, feed, flavors & fragrances, cosmetics, fuels, chemicals, and health products. The company's key innovation lies in its fully automated cultivation devices, which employ natural selection principles to improve microorganism performance continuously without contamination risks.
Zymergen
Acquisition in 2022
Zymergen, Inc. is a biotechnology company that focuses on researching, developing, and manufacturing microbes for various industries, including agriculture, chemicals, materials, pharmaceuticals, electronics, and personal care. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Emeryville, California, Zymergen employs a platform that integrates automation, machine learning, and genomics to enhance the efficiency of microbial strain optimization and production processes. This technology enables the company to improve existing manufacturing strains and facilitates the development of new products by engineering novel molecules from microbes. With additional offices in Boise, Idaho; Medford, Massachusetts; Seattle, Washington; and Tokyo, Japan, Zymergen aims to partner with nature to create innovative materials and products that deliver significant value across multiple sectors.
Phytolon Ltd is a company based in Misgav, Israel, specializing in the development of natural food colorants. Founded in 2000, Phytolon utilizes a novel fermentation technology that employs baker's yeast cells as biofactories to produce high-quality, plant-based food colors. This innovative approach offers a healthy alternative to synthetic food dyes, providing food manufacturers with safe, cost-effective, and stable all-natural color solutions. The company's mission is to leverage scientific advancements to promote human health and environmental sustainability in the food industry.
Bitome
Acquisition in 2022
Bitome is a Boston-based connected medical device company focused on developing innovative monitoring solutions. Founded two years ago, it has created a noninvasive tool for assessing hydration status, which has significant applications in various fields, including dialysis, diabetes management, sports performance, and maternal/fetal health. The company's initial application targets patients with congestive heart failure (CHF), allowing for precise monitoring of volume status—an important yet challenging biometric to measure that is closely linked to patient outcomes. Bitome aims to revolutionize hydration monitoring in a manner comparable to the impact glucose monitoring has had on diabetes care.
FGen GmbH is a Swiss company founded in 2011 as a spin-off from ETH Zurich, based in Basel. It specializes in the development of a nanoliter-reactor platform for high-throughput phenotypic analysis of cellular libraries, facilitating the discovery and optimization of biological activities. As a contract research organization, FGen collaborates with partners in biotech, life sciences, and pharmaceuticals to establish efficient bioprocesses and develop new biopharmaceuticals. The company also focuses on optimizing microbial strains for biotechnological applications by integrating proprietary screening technology with biological engineering tools. This enables clients to achieve efficient and cost-competitive bioproduction of chemicals and proteins.
Project Beacon COVID-19
Acquisition in 2022
Project Beacon COVID-19 is a social benefit organization focused on enhancing the capacity, availability, accessibility, and affordability of COVID-19 testing in Massachusetts. The organization provides a range of services, including evaluating various testing strategies for organizations, managing logistics for testing, and establishing sample collection sites. Additionally, Project Beacon assists in reporting test results to individuals, their organizations, and public health authorities. By facilitating these services, the organization aims to support the safe reopening of society and the return to work while addressing disparities in access to testing across the state.
Cambium
Venture Round in 2021
Cambium is a company focused on developing biomaterials for various sectors, including defense, aerospace, and renewable energy. Established in 2019 and located in Berkeley, California, it specializes in advanced materials research and development. The company utilizes a combination of synthetic biology, materials science, and artificial intelligence to enhance material performance and sustainability. Cambium's approach involves vertically integrated innovation, ranging from computational material discovery to the production of advanced composites within the United States. By leveraging cutting-edge advancements across multiple scientific disciplines, Cambium aims to improve existing products and facilitate the creation of next-generation materials.
Dutch DNA Biotech
Acquisition in 2021
Dutch DNA Biotech is a technology provider specializing in the food, feed, and enzyme industries. The company operates as a contract manufacturing organization, focusing on the development of fungal strains and fermentation processes for producing proteins and organic acids. Dutch DNA Biotech tailors its biotechnology solutions to meet specific client needs, offering a platform that facilitates the discovery and production of enzymes and metabolites. This capability enables medical enterprises to achieve high purity in their products while minimizing production costs.
Novogy
Acquisition in 2020
Novogy, Inc. is a company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, that specializes in developing bio-based solutions for the production of food, fuel, and chemicals. Founded in 2009, Novogy focuses on converting waste paper sludge into cellulosic biofuels intended for use in transportation. The company's proprietary technology, known as ROBUST, combines molecular biology with process engineering to enhance process competitiveness and minimize antibiotic use in large-scale processing. Novogy serves various bio-based industries across local, regional, and global markets. It operates as a subsidiary of TOTAL S.A.
Allonnia LLC is a biotechnology company based in Boston, Massachusetts, founded in 2019, that specializes in waste remediation services. The company focuses on developing enzymes, proteins, and microbes that effectively degrade or metabolize environmental contaminants, facilitating the recovery and upcycling of valuable materials from waste. Allonnia aims to provide innovative solutions to pressing environmental challenges, including safer water and cleaner mining, while promoting sustainability. Their unique approach integrates biology with advanced technology to create systems that transform waste into useful resources. Allonnia's commitment to environmental stewardship and innovation has garnered industry recognition, positioning it as a leader in the field of biotechnology and waste management.
Synlogic, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, specializing in the development of synthetic biotic medicines aimed at treating metabolic, inflammatory, and cancer-related diseases. The company’s lead therapeutic program, SYNB1618, is currently undergoing Phase I/IIa clinical trials for the treatment of phenylketonuria, a rare genetic metabolic disorder. Additionally, Synlogic is advancing SYNB1891, an intratumoral synthetic biotic medicine in Phase I clinical trials targeting solid tumors and lymphoma. The company employs a proprietary approach that utilizes engineered probiotics, specifically Escherichia coli Nissle 1917, to create GI-restricted oral therapies that are non-colonizing and reversible, facilitating easier administration and storage. Synlogic is also exploring treatments for other conditions, including secondary hyperoxaluria, inflammatory bowel disease, and various metabolic disorders, and has established a collaboration with Ginkgo Bioworks to further its development efforts.
Warp Drive Bio
Acquisition in 2019
Warp Drive Bio, LLC is a biotechnology company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, that specializes in the development of genomic technology to discover drugs derived from natural sources. Founded in 2010, the company has created a proprietary genomic search engine that utilizes customized search queries to identify hidden natural products based on their unique genomic signatures. This innovative approach enables researchers to uncover novel drug candidates and analyze their mechanisms of action, facilitating the conversion of genomes into therapeutic drugs. As of October 2018, Warp Drive Bio operates as a subsidiary of REVOLUTION Medicines, Inc.
Genomatica
Venture Round in 2018
Genomatica, Inc. is a biotechnology company based in San Diego, California, specializing in the development of manufacturing processes for intermediate and basic chemicals derived from renewable feedstocks. Founded in 1998, the company utilizes its proprietary biotechnology platform to create fermentation-based processes and to engineer microorganisms that facilitate the conversion of these feedstocks into essential chemicals. Genomatica has successfully commercialized processes for chemicals such as butanediol, which is used in biodegradable plastics and apparel, and butylene glycol, commonly found in cosmetics and personal care products. The company is also actively working on bio-nylon and has developed a pipeline targeting the production of 20 different chemicals. Recognized for its innovative technologies, Genomatica has received numerous accolades, including the Kirkpatrick Award for outstanding chemical engineering technology and the ICIS Innovation Award for its Brontide butylene glycol.
Joyn Bio LLC, established in 2017, is a Boston-based joint venture between Leaps by Bayer and Ginkgo Bioworks, Inc., with a plant research facility in West Sacramento, California. The company specializes in developing probiotics for plants using synthetic biology, aiming to provide cereal crops like corn, wheat, and rice with their nitrogen needs, thereby reducing agriculture's reliance on chemical fertilizers and mitigating environmental impacts. Joyn Bio's team comprises microbiologists, synthetic biologists, plant scientists, and ecologists working collaboratively to address these challenges.
Gen9 is a privately held company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, that specializes in next-generation gene synthesis technology. Founded in 2009 by leading experts in synthetic biology, Gen9 focuses on automating the production of DNA constructs with high throughput, accuracy, and cost-effectiveness. The company's innovations significantly enhance the capacity for DNA content production, enabling advancements in various industries, including pharmaceuticals, enzyme and chemical production, and biofuels. Through its scalable fabrication capabilities, Gen9 aims to promote the constructive application of synthetic biology, ultimately contributing to the improvement of genes, pathways, genomes, and organisms.