USA — In a pioneering endeavor that marks their second collaboration within a year, Merck and Ginkgo Bioworks have once again joined forces, this time in a biologic manufacturing venture that could potentially be worth up to US$490 million.
The partnership aims to harness Ginkgo’s cutting-edge cell engineering capabilities and streamlined processes alongside Merck’s quest for enhanced efficiency and product integrity.
Under this ambitious agreement, Ginkgo is set to leverage its expertise in “ultra-high-throughput multiplexed screening,” protein characterization, and process optimization to enhance production and amplify output.
Through the fusion of Ginkgo’s prowess with Merck’s biologic manufacturing acumen, a synergistic approach is poised to redefine biologic production norms, potentially revolutionizing the field.
Jason Kelly, CEO and co-founder of Ginkgo, expressed his excitement about the collaboration, stating, “Ginkgo is thrilled to leverage our platform to improve the production of biologics in collaboration with Merck.”
This sentiment is echoed by Dr. Michael Kress, Senior Vice President of Development Sciences and Clinical Supply at Merck Research Laboratories, who highlighted Merck’s commitment to innovation and process optimization.
This partnership comes on the heels of a prior agreement struck in October, which held a value of up to US$144 million.
The earlier collaboration aimed to bolster Merck’s active pharmaceutical ingredient manufacturing capabilities through Ginkgo’s biocatalytic enzyme platform.
This strategic move was expected to potentially enhance Merck’s drug production processes, enabling cost savings and greater manufacturing efficiency.
Ginkgo’s innovative approach extends beyond its partnership with Merck. The company, founded in 2009, originated with a vision to simplify cell engineering.
Beginning with applications in the realm of pesticides and perfumes, Ginkgo transitioned its expertise toward pharmaceutical manufacturing, positioning itself at the forefront of cutting-edge research and development.
The current collaboration further cements Ginkgo’s role as a transformative force. The company has previously forged strategic alliances with industry giants such as Novo Nordisk, Select, Optimvia, Biogen, and Aldevron, illustrating its influential presence in the biotech landscape.
This is a continuation of Ginkgo’s history of partnering with industry leaders to push the boundaries of innovation.
In 2023, Ginkgo entered a collaboration with the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), further highlighting its significance in pioneering breakthroughs.
Furthermore, its collaboration with Boehringer Ingelheim and its pursuit of therapies for hard-to-treat conditions underscores the company’s commitment to addressing unmet medical needs.
Ginkgo’s past collaborations also encompass its work with Moderna, contributing to process optimization for raw materials used in mRNA vaccines.
Additionally, Ginkgo’s partnership with Biogen focused on the development of recombinant AAV vectors, underscoring its multi-faceted impact on various aspects of the biotech industry.
For all the latest healthcare industry news from Africa and the World, subscribe to our NEWSLETTER, and YouTube Channel, follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn, and like us on Facebook.
