BOSTON, Feb. 28,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Ginkgo Bioworks (NYSE:
DNA), which is building the leading platform for cell programming
and biosecurity, announced the acquisition of Proof Diagnostics, an
innovative life sciences tools, diagnostics and computational
discovery company which uncovered genome engineering tools for both
therapeutic and diagnostics applications while developing a smart,
portable system for the detection of infectious and other
diseases.
Proof was founded by gene editing pioneer Dr. Feng Zhang of the Broad Institute of
MIT and Harvard, Drs. Omar
Abudayyeh and Jonathan
Gootenberg of the McGovern Institute for Brain Research at
MIT, and Sid
Shenai to develop a low cost, rapid, easy-to-use, and
sensitive diagnostic system – for SARS-CoV-2, Flu A/B, RSV and
other diseases, including oncology – using CRISPR-based and other
technologies. Proof's libraries of OMEGA (Obligate Mobile Element
Guided Activity) RNA programmable, non-Cas enzymes and associated
intellectual property are the key focus of Ginkgo's
acquisition.
Gene editing systems have revolutionized the therapeutics
industry, enabling a vast array of potential programmable
medicines. The emerging class of OMEGAs represents an exciting
potential expansion of the current tools most commonly used in
genomic medicines. OMEGAs are significantly smaller and more
diverse and robust than many other classes of programmable
nucleases, which makes them easier to deliver to cells and opens up
new therapeutic approaches. Ginkgo is primarily using Proof's OMEGA
libraries to bolster its Gene Therapy Services, providing its
customers another tool to more easily edit genes and build the next
generation of therapies.
Ginkgo has years of experience leveraging its platform-driven
approach to contribute to the gene editing sector's fast-moving
evolution. Its current partnership with Arbor Biotechnologies is
working to advance the development of precision gene editors. Last
year, Ginkgo announced the acquisition of StrideBio's
adeno-associated virus (AAV) capsid discovery and engineering
platform. StrideBio's capabilities are being integrated into
Ginkgo's end-to-end AAV gene therapy development platform. Through
this, Ginkgo's customers can leverage these new tools to better
target and improve the safety profile of their future gene
therapies.
Jason Kelly, CEO and
co-founder of Ginkgo Bioworks: "Ginkgo is committed to building
world-class capabilities in engineering genetic medicines.
Integrating Proof's technologies and libraries gives our customers
a new tool to overcome the limitations of current gene editing
systems. We don't believe that there is a one-size-fits-all
approach to biology. Biology is complex and that complexity
demands a wide array of tools and approaches - we are proud to be
building that toolbox at Ginkgo."
Sid Shenai, CEO and co-founder
of Proof Diagnostics: "We are excited for Ginkgo to integrate
Proof's OMEGA nuclease and related technologies into its genetic
medicines programs. These enzymes are more compact and diverse than
other classes of programmable nucleases – including CRISPR Cas –
and are a powerful addition to the gene editing toolkit for
therapeutics. The entire Proof team has admired Ginkgo's progress
for many years and is confident that the team at Ginkgo is uniquely
well-suited to advance the full scope of Proof's technologies to
serve customers and patients worldwide."
To learn more about Ginkgo Gene Therapy Services, please visit
https://www.ginkgobioworks.com/offerings/gene-therapy-services/
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's biosecurity and public health unit, Concentric
by Ginkgo, is building global infrastructure for biosecurity to
empower governments, communities, and public health leaders to
prevent, detect and respond to a wide variety of biological
threats. For more information, visit ginkgobioworks.com
and concentricbyginkgo.com, read our blog, or follow us
on social media channels such as X (@Ginkgo and @ConcentricByGBW),
Instagram (@GinkgoBioworks), Threads (@GinkgoBioworks)
or LinkedIn.
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
acquisition 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) 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, (ii) the
ability to implement business plans, forecasts, and other
expectations, and to identify and realize additional business
opportunities, (iii) the risk of downturns in demand for products
using synthetic biology, (iv) the uncertainty regarding the demand
for passive monitoring programs and biosecurity services, (v)
changes to the biosecurity industry, including due to advancements
in technology, emerging competition and evolution in industry
demands, standards and regulations, (vi) our ability to realize the
expected benefits of merger and acquisition transactions, (vii) the
outcome of any legal proceedings against Ginkgo, including as a
result of recent acquisitions, (viii) our ability to realize the
expected benefits from and the success of our Foundry platform
programs, (ix) our ability to successfully develop engineered
cells, bioprocesses, data packages or other deliverables, and (x)
the product development or commercialization success of our
customers. 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 quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed with the U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on November 8, 2023 and other documents filed by
Ginkgo from time to time with the SEC. These filings identify and
address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause
actual events and results to differ materially from those contained
in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak
only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put
undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and Ginkgo assumes no
obligation and does not intend to update or revise these
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information,
future events, or otherwise. Ginkgo does not give any assurance
that it will achieve its expectations.
GINKGO BIOWORKS INVESTOR
CONTACT:
investors@ginkgobioworks.com
GINKGO BIOWORKS MEDIA
CONTACT:
press@ginkgobioworks.com
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SOURCE Ginkgo Bioworks