Source – Ginkgo Bioworks
As part of this agreement, Ginkgo will contribute its expertise in cell engineering, ultra-high-throughput multiplexed screening, protein characterization, and process optimization. The aim is to streamline the production process and enhance output, as stated in a press release issued by Ginkgo on Monday.
In return, the Boston-based company, armed with its cell programming platform, stands to gain more than $490 million, encompassing upfront research fees, optional license payouts, and milestone payments.
“We’re thrilled to leverage our platform to improve the production of biologics in collaboration with Merck. In particular, we will utilize some of our unique capabilities, such as automated protocols to do predictive ultra high-throughput multiplexed screening, product characterization and process optimization. It’s exciting for our team to drive impactful and technically innovative work, and to do so shoulder-to-shoulder with our counterparts at Merck.”
– Jason Kelly, CEO and co-founder of Ginkgo Bioworks
Biogen’s collaboration with Ginkgo in manufacturing is a calculated risk with the potential for substantial gains in the field of gene therapy.
“At Merck we are always seeking new and innovative ways to optimize process efficiency while maintaining product integrity. We are pleased to build upon our relationship with the Ginkgo Bioworks team.”
– Dr. Michael Kress, senior vice president, development sciences and clinical supply, Merck Research Laboratories
This partnership follows a previous deal from October, valued at up to $144 million, aimed at bolstering Merck’s active pharmaceutical ingredient manufacturing using Ginkgo’s biocatalytic enzyme platform. This arrangement focused on the development of up to four enzymes.
Earlier in the summer, Ginkgo secured a contract with the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), worth up to $18 million.
Prior to these agreements, Ginkgo collaborated with Novo Nordisk in a multi-year endeavor to harness the potential of expression systems that could accelerate the discovery and development of Novo’s products. Notably, Ginkgo has also established partnerships with companies like Selecta, Optimvia, Biogen, and Aldevron.
