Lygos, Inc., a vertically integrated provider of sustainable specialty ingredients, and Ginkgo Bioworks (NYSE: DNA), the leading horizontal platform for cell programming, today announced a multi-product research and development collaboration designed to optimize and scale production of sustainable specialty ingredients that can replace toxic petrochemistry, reclaim local manufacturing, and advance industrial bio-innovation.
Under the terms of the deal, Lygos and Ginkgo plan to advance two research and development programs over the course of approximately two years. Lygos’ organic acid targets are used to produce biodegradable formulations and polymer-based products used in consumer, agricultural, and industrial markets. Ginkgo will leverage its extensive expertise in strain development and metabolic engineering as it works to rapidly design and optimize microorganisms that can convert low-cost sugar to high-value chemicals, providing a more sustainable alternative to the traditional industrial chemicals that are made from petroleum-derived feedstock.
“Many specialty organic acids rely on environmentally damaging and costly production processes. We’re excited to be working with Lygos to replace some of those harmful production methods with sustainable, environmentally friendly biomanufacturing processes,” said Ena Cratsenburg, Chief Business Officer at Ginkgo Bioworks. “Ginkgo is committed to creating solutions that are better for the planet, and this partnership with Lygos will help advance our initiatives around climate sustainability while supporting domestic manufacturing and technology development.”
“Lygos and Ginkgo have been at the forefront of this field, enabling customers to create sustainable products that can help solve the world’s environmental challenges and improve everyday products,” said Eric Steen, PhD, CEO at Lygos. “The new partnership will enable us to augment our development timelines, allocate more research and development, and accelerate our product commercialization programs.”
