Ginkgo Bioworks Teams Up with Partners on ARPA-H Project to Stabilize Pharmaceutical Supply Chains - Using Amber Waves of Grain
Ginkgo Bioworks (NYSE: DNA) has secured a $29 million contract from ARPA-H for a two-year program called WHEAT (Wheat-based High efficiency Enzyme and API Technology). The project, in partnership with Tritica Biosciences, US Pharmacopeia, On Demand Pharmaceuticals, and Isolere Bio by Donaldson, aims to develop a revolutionary pharmaceutical manufacturing process.
The initiative focuses on creating distributed production of biologic and small molecule active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) using wheat germ cell-free expression systems. This innovative approach seeks to shift API production from global supply chains to a decentralized system using Cell-Free Protein Synthesis (CFPS), potentially reshoring and stabilizing supply chains for essential medicines.
The WHEAT program will demonstrate scalable processes for CFPS-based production of complex APIs, with applications ranging from small molecule compounds to biologics like growth factors and insulin. Ginkgo will contribute its cell programming platform, utilizing machine learning and computational tools to engineer enzymes and optimize cell-free expression systems.
Ginkgo Bioworks (NYSE: DNA) ha ottenuto un contratto di 29 milioni di dollari da ARPA-H per un programma biennale chiamato WHEAT (Tecnologia Enzimatica e API ad Alta Efficienza a Base di Grano). Il progetto, in collaborazione con Tritica Biosciences, US Pharmacopeia, On Demand Pharmaceuticals e Isolere Bio di Donaldson, mira a sviluppare un processo rivoluzionario per la produzione farmaceutica.
L'iniziativa si concentra sulla creazione di una produzione distribuita di ingredienti farmaceutici attivi (API) biologici e a piccole molecole utilizzando sistemi di espressione privi di cellule a base di germe di grano. Questo approccio innovativo cerca di spostare la produzione di API dalle catene di approvvigionamento globali a un sistema decentralizzato utilizzando la Sintesi Proteica Senza Cellule (CFPS), con la possibilità di riportare a casa e stabilizzare le catene di approvvigionamento per i medicinali essenziali.
Il programma WHEAT dimostrerà processi scalabili per la produzione basata su CFPS di API complessi, con applicazioni che spaziano da composti a piccole molecole a biologici come fattori di crescita e insulina. Ginkgo contribuirà con la sua piattaforma di programmazione cellulare, utilizzando strumenti di machine learning e computazionali per ingegnerizzare enzimi e ottimizzare i sistemi di espressione privi di cellule.
Ginkgo Bioworks (NYSE: DNA) ha asegurado un contrato de 29 millones de dólares de ARPA-H para un programa de dos años llamado WHEAT (Tecnología Enzimática y API de Alta Eficiencia a Base de Trigo). El proyecto, en colaboración con Tritica Biosciences, US Pharmacopeia, On Demand Pharmaceuticals e Isolere Bio de Donaldson, tiene como objetivo desarrollar un proceso revolucionario de fabricación farmacéutica.
La iniciativa se centra en la creación de una producción distribuida de ingredientes farmacéuticos activos (API) biológicos y de pequeñas moléculas utilizando sistemas de expresión libres de células a base de germen de trigo. Este enfoque innovador busca trasladar la producción de API de las cadenas de suministro globales a un sistema descentralizado utilizando la Síntesis de Proteínas Sin Células (CFPS), potencialmente reubicando y estabilizando las cadenas de suministro para medicamentos esenciales.
El programa WHEAT demostrará procesos escalables para la producción basada en CFPS de APIs complejos, con aplicaciones que van desde compuestos de pequeñas moléculas hasta biológicos como factores de crecimiento e insulina. Ginkgo contribuirá con su plataforma de programación celular, utilizando herramientas de aprendizaje automático y computacionales para diseñar enzimas y optimizar los sistemas de expresión libres de células.
징코 바이오웍스 (NYSE: DNA)는 ARPA-H로부터 2년 프로그램인 WHEAT(밀 기반 고효율 효소 및 API 기술)에 대해 2900만 달러의 계약을 체결했습니다. 이 프로젝트는 트리티카 바이오사이언스, 미국 약전, 온디맨드 제약, 도널드슨의 아이솔레어 바이오와 협력하여 혁신적인 제약 제조 공정을 개발하는 것을 목표로 합니다.
이 이니셔티브는 밀 배아 세포 없는 발현 시스템을 사용하여 생물학적 및 소분자 활성 제약 성분(API)의 분산 생산을 생성하는 데 중점을 둡니다. 이 혁신적인 접근 방식은 API 생산을 글로벌 공급망에서 세포 없는 단백질 합성(CFPS)을 사용하는 분산 시스템으로 전환하여 필수 의약품의 공급망을 재구성하고 안정화할 수 있는 가능성을 제시합니다.
WHEAT 프로그램은 CFPS 기반의 복잡한 API 생산을 위한 확장 가능한 프로세스를 시연할 것이며, 여기에는 소분자 화합물에서 성장 인자 및 인슐린과 같은 생물학적 제제에 이르기까지 다양한 응용 프로그램이 포함됩니다. 징코는 머신 러닝 및 컴퓨팅 도구를 활용하여 효소를 설계하고 세포 없는 발현 시스템을 최적화하는 세포 프로그래밍 플랫폼에 기여할 것입니다.
Ginkgo Bioworks (NYSE: DNA) a obtenu un contrat de 29 millions de dollars de la part d'ARPA-H pour un programme de deux ans appelé WHEAT (Technologie enzymatique et API à haute efficacité à base de blé). Le projet, en partenariat avec Tritica Biosciences, l'US Pharmacopeia, On Demand Pharmaceuticals et Isolere Bio de Donaldson, vise à développer un processus révolutionnaire de fabrication pharmaceutique.
L'initiative se concentre sur la création d'une production distribuée d'ingrédients pharmaceutiques actifs (API) biologiques et de petites molécules en utilisant des systèmes d'expression sans cellules à base de germe de blé. Cette approche innovante vise à déplacer la production d'API des chaînes d'approvisionnement mondiales vers un système décentralisé utilisant la Synthèse de Protéines Sans Cellules (CFPS), avec la possibilité de relocaliser et de stabiliser les chaînes d'approvisionnement pour les médicaments essentiels.
Le programme WHEAT démontrera des processus évolutifs pour la production d'APIs complexes basée sur CFPS, avec des applications allant des composés de petites molécules aux biologiques tels que les facteurs de croissance et l'insuline. Ginkgo contribuera avec sa plateforme de programmation cellulaire, utilisant des outils d'apprentissage automatique et computationnels pour concevoir des enzymes et optimiser les systèmes d'expression sans cellules.
Ginkgo Bioworks (NYSE: DNA) hat einen Vertrag über 29 Millionen Dollar von ARPA-H für ein zweijähriges Programm namens WHEAT (Weizenbasierte Hochleistungstechnologie für Enzyme und API) gesichert. Das Projekt, in Zusammenarbeit mit Tritica Biosciences, US Pharmacopeia, On Demand Pharmaceuticals und Isolere Bio von Donaldson, zielt darauf ab, einen revolutionären Prozess zur pharmazeutischen Herstellung zu entwickeln.
Die Initiative konzentriert sich auf die Schaffung einer verteilten Produktion von biologischen und kleinen Molekülen aktiven pharmazeutischen Inhaltsstoffen (APIs) unter Verwendung von weizenkeimfreien Expressionssystemen. Dieser innovative Ansatz zielt darauf ab, die API-Produktion von globalen Lieferketten auf ein dezentrales System unter Verwendung der zellfreien Proteinsynthese (CFPS) zu verlagern, was möglicherweise die Lieferketten für essentielle Medikamente zurückverlagern und stabilisieren könnte.
Das WHEAT-Programm wird skalierbare Prozesse für die CFPS-basierte Produktion komplexer APIs demonstrieren, mit Anwendungen, die von kleinen Molekülen bis hin zu biologischen Produkten wie Wachstumsfaktoren und Insulin reichen. Ginkgo wird seine Zellprogrammierungsplattform beitragen, die maschinelles Lernen und rechnergestützte Werkzeuge nutzt, um Enzyme zu konstruieren und zellfreie Expressionssysteme zu optimieren.
- Secured significant $29M government contract for pharmaceutical innovation
- Potential to establish leadership in cell-free manufacturing technology
- Strategic partnership with multiple established industry players
- Development of new revenue stream in pharmaceutical manufacturing
- Expansion into essential medicines market with growth potential
- Two-year development timeline before potential commercialization
- Success dependent on unproven wheat germ cell-free expression technology
- Significant competition in pharmaceutical manufacturing space
Insights
Ginkgo Bioworks' $29 million ARPA-H contract represents a significant win for the company, especially considering its current $352 million market capitalization. The contract value constitutes approximately 8.2% of Ginkgo's market cap, making this a material development that could bolster investor confidence.
The WHEAT initiative addresses pharmaceutical supply chain vulnerabilities by developing distributed manufacturing systems for active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) using wheat germ cell-free expression technology. This positions Ginkgo at the intersection of two critical national priorities: drug supply chain security and domestic biomanufacturing capabilities.
From a technical perspective, cell-free protein synthesis (CFPS) systems offer several advantages over traditional biomanufacturing: faster production cycles, simplified purification processes, and elimination of cell viability constraints. By focusing on wheat germ-based systems, Ginkgo leverages an abundant agricultural resource while potentially reducing production costs compared to conventional pharmaceutical manufacturing.
This contract demonstrates Ginkgo's diversification beyond its core synthetic biology platform into practical applications with near-term revenue potential. The company's expertise in enzyme engineering and computational biology aligns perfectly with the project requirements, allowing Ginkgo to showcase its technological capabilities while receiving government funding for R&D activities.
The two-year timeframe suggests that commercial applications remain on the horizon rather than immediate, but the foundation being laid could potentially transform pharmaceutical manufacturing paradigms if successful. The focus on both small molecules and biologics (including complex proteins requiring post-translational modifications) significantly expands the potential market applications.
This ARPA-H contract tackles a critical vulnerability in America's healthcare infrastructure: over-dependence on foreign pharmaceutical manufacturing. The $29 million investment signals federal commitment to reshoring essential medicine production through innovative biomanufacturing approaches.
The distributed manufacturing model Ginkgo and partners are developing represents a paradigm shift from traditional centralized pharmaceutical production. Rather than massive facilities producing at scale, the WHEAT initiative envisions modular, on-demand manufacturing capabilities that can be deployed where needed - enhancing geographic resilience against supply disruptions.
What makes this approach particularly strategic is the use of wheat germ - an abundant domestic agricultural resource - as the foundation for a new manufacturing platform. This creates a closed-loop domestic supply chain from agricultural input to pharmaceutical output, reducing dependency on overseas suppliers for critical precursors and ingredients.
The partnership structure brings complementary expertise: Ginkgo's enzyme engineering and computational capabilities, Tritica's wheat germ expertise, On Demand Pharmaceuticals' modular manufacturing systems, USP's quality standards infrastructure, and Isolere's downstream processing technology. This comprehensive approach addresses the entire manufacturing workflow from raw materials to finished APIs.
For Ginkgo specifically, this initiative establishes the company as a key player in pharmaceutical supply chain security - a sector where reliability and compliance command premium valuations. The contract's focus on both small molecule compounds and biologics (including insulin) targets high-value therapeutics where supply constraints most directly impact patient access and healthcare costs.
Ginkgo Bioworks and partners awarded
Under the
Bringing the Kernel of Innovation from Farm to Pharma
The project brings together non-profit and corporate partners based in
"We are thrilled for the opportunity to work on this exciting project with ARPA-H and our teammates to allow Americans to reap the benefits when we bring together innovations in farm and pharma," said Jesse Dill, Senior Director of Business Development at Ginkgo Bioworks. "From small molecule compounds to biologics, we believe this project can sow the seeds of medical innovation, growing a new manufacturing paradigm for essential medicines using affordable cell-free biological processes, to reshore and stabilize these critical, life-saving supply chains."
WHEAT aims to demonstrate scalable and decentralized processes for CFPS-based production of complex APIs, focusing on targets where biocatalysis can wholly or partially complete syntheses, and where current supply chains are constrained to natural products or overseas providers. Additionally, WHEAT's innovations in protein post-translational modifications (PTMs) aim to establish a foundation suitable for production of biologics such as growth factors and insulin, offering a broader range of applications and establishing a foundation for further expanding the potential of CFPS to even more complex products.
An Integrated Platform Addressing Cost, Distribution, and Quality Needs
"At Tritica Biosciences, we are excited to collaborate with Ginkgo Bioworks and our partners to revolutionize pharmaceutical manufacturing," said Chris Miller, Founder and CSO of Tritica Biosciences. "By harnessing the power of wheat germ cell-free systems, we're planting the future of medicine, helping to make production more efficient, flexible, and localized."
"Economic and supply chain security for essential medicines is critical," said Eugene Choi, President and COO of On Demand Pharmaceuticals. "This collaboration brings together innovative technologies and expertise to transform how we produce and access these vital drugs."
"Advanced manufacturing technologies and biomanufacturing are critical to bolstering supply chain resilience," said Ronald T. Piervincenzi, Ph.D., CEO of USP. "USP is proud to contribute our scientific expertise to develop standardized solutions, process control strategies, and quality testing methods that pave the way for broader adoption, future regulatory approval and commercialization."
"Isolere Bio by
Sowing the Future of Medicine
This program represents one of the first initiatives within ARPA-H's Scalable Solutions Office, aimed at transforming the health of all Americans by improving the speed, scale, and access to medical treatments and enhancing health security in the US. By establishing a faster and cheaper way to develop essential medicines, the collaboration positions Ginkgo Bioworks as a leader in cell-free small molecule and biologics manufacturing, leveraging its engineering capabilities and experience at scale.
About Ginkgo Bioworks
Ginkgo Bioworks is the leading horizontal platform for cell programming, providing flexible, end-to-end services that solve challenges for organizations across diverse markets, from food and agriculture to pharmaceuticals to industrial and specialty chemicals. Ginkgo Biosecurity is building and deploying the next-generation infrastructure and technologies that global leaders need to predict, detect, and respond to a wide variety of biological threats. For more information, visit ginkgobioworks.com and ginkgobiosecurity.com, read our blog, or follow us on social media channels such as X (@Ginkgo and @Ginkgo_Biosec), Instagram (@GinkgoBioworks), Threads (@GinkgoBioworks), or LinkedIn.
GINKGO BIOWORKS INVESTOR CONTACT:
investors@ginkgobioworks.com
GINKGO BIOWORKS MEDIA CONTACT:
press@ginkgobioworks.com
About Tritica Bio
At Tritica Biosciences, we are revolutionizing synthetic biology through a groundbreaking technology designed for rapid discovery, prototyping, and manufacturing, with applications from farm to pharma. Our focus is innovation, and we are committed to accelerating the bio-manufacturing process and delivering new products that address global challenges in biotechnology.
Our proprietary strain-free discovery platform, seamlessly integrated with scaled production, enables us to iterate, optimize, and launch products at unprecedented speeds. Founded in 2017, Tritica Biosciences is driven by a team of experts dedicated to pushing the boundaries of biotechnology.
For more information visit triticabio.com or find us at LinkedIn.
About US Pharmacopeia
USP is an independent scientific organization that collaborates with the world's top experts in health and science to develop quality resources and standards for medicines, dietary supplements, and food ingredients. Through our resources, standards, advocacy and education, USP helps increase the availability of quality medicines, supplements and foods for billions of people worldwide. For more information, visit: www.usp.org.
About On Demand Pharmaceuticals
On Demand Pharmaceuticals is a new kind of pharmaceutical company. We are focused on providing healthcare professionals and their communities access to the most agile medicine-making capabilities, including subscription services ("Medications as a Service") and point of care delivery systems ("Pharmacy on Demand") that integrate production oversight innovations with our robust formulary. Our enabling capabilities in drug substance and drug product are vertically integrated to produce a robust and resilient supply chain that meets our customers' needs.
About Isolere Bio by
Isolere Bio by
Incorporated in 2017, Isolere Bio became part of Donaldson Company (NYSE: DCI) in early 2023.
For more information, visit isolerebio.com.
Forward-Looking Statements of Ginkgo Bioworks
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including statements regarding the capabilities and potential success of the partnership and Ginkgo's cell programming platform. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words "believe," "can," "project," "potential," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "intend," "strategy," "future," "opportunity," "plan," "may," "should," "will," "would," "will be," "will continue," "will likely result," and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this press release, including but not limited to: (i) our ability to realize near-term and long-term cost savings associated with our site consolidation plans, including the ability to terminate leases or find sub-lease tenants for unused facilities, (ii) volatility in the price of Ginkgo's securities due to a variety of factors, including changes in the competitive and highly regulated industries in which Ginkgo operates and plans to operate, variations in performance across competitors, and changes in laws and regulations affecting Ginkgo's business, (iii) the ability to implement business plans, forecasts, and other expectations, and to identify and realize additional business opportunities, including with respect to our solutions and tools offerings, (iv) the risk of downturns in demand for products using synthetic biology, (v) the uncertainty regarding the demand for passive monitoring programs and biosecurity services, (vi) changes to the biosecurity industry, including due to advancements in technology, emerging competition and evolution in industry demands, standards and regulations, (vii) the outcome of any pending or potential legal proceedings against Ginkgo, (viii) our ability to realize the expected benefits from and the success of our Foundry platform programs and Codebase assets, (ix) our ability to successfully develop engineered cells, bioprocesses, data packages or other deliverables, (x) the product development, production or manufacturing success of our customers, (xi) our exposure to the volatility and liquidity risks inherent in holding equity interests in other operating companies and other non-cash consideration we may receive for our services, (xii) the potential negative impact on our business of our restructuring or the failure to realize the anticipated savings associated therewith and (xiii) the uncertainty regarding government budgetary priorities and funding allocated to government agencies. The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties described in the "Risk Factors" section of Ginkgo's annual report on Form 10-K filed with the
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FAQ
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