Top 10 Synthetic Biology Companies Driving Innovation in 2024

Published On : Oct 15, 2024

Synthetic biotechnology or biology becomes one of the most prominent fields with applications across diverse industries such as healthcare, agriculture, manufacturing, and environmental sustainability. This trend is driven by rapid advancements in genetic engineering, automation, and computational tools that enable scientists to design and build new biological systems.

From creating sustainable food sources to engineering microbes for pharmaceutical applications, synthetic biology is transforming how one approaches some of the world's biggest challenges. A few of these include climate change, food security, and healthcare access.

Top 10 Synthetic Biology Companies Driving Innovation in 2024

Healthcare and Agriculture Sectors Swear by Synthetic Biology to Enhance Sustainability

Synthetic biology is opening new opportunities across several sectors with increasing investments and innovations. In healthcare, engineered cells are used to develop gene therapies, biologics, and vaccines. Companies are also exploring microbial platforms for drug production and diagnostic tools.

In the field of agriculture, synthetic biology is enabling the creation of drought-resistant crops, bio-pesticides, and nitrogen-fixing bacteria. These can reduce the need for synthetic fertilizers. Companies are using engineered organisms further to convert carbon emissions into valuable products like biofuels and biodegradable plastics. These approaches help promote a circular economy and address global environmental challenges.

Integration of Artificial Intelligence to Put Companies Ahead of the Game

Several leading companies are integrating synthetic biology into Artificial Intelligence (AI) to bolster the production, testing, and research of unique genes that have the potential to remodel societies and economies. The resulting product is anticipated to positively influence several industries. It is likely to fuel environmental remediation, enhance food production, and accelerate the development of renewable energy.

The potential of synthetic biology is broadening across the globe with the adoption of AI. It has reduced the cost of data manipulation, cut down on time required for research, and enhanced the development of novel processes. DNA sequencing, for instance has showcased significant reduction in costs.

The National Human Genome Research Institute mentions that in 2001, the first human genome involved around US$ 100 million for development. However, with the introduction of AI, the same can be completed at a cost of only US$ 600 in a day.

Top 10 Synthetic Biology Companies Transforming the World in 2024

1. Ginkgo Bioworks

Boston-based Ginkgo Bioworks is a pioneer in synthetic biology providing custom-engineered organisms for industries ranging from food to healthcare. Known for its platform that automates organism design, Ginkgo is working on projects like microbial strains for COVID-19 testing and vaccine production.

2. Impossible Foods

A leader in the plant-based food revolution, Impossible Foods uses synthetic biology to create meat substitutes that mimic the taste and texture of real meat. The company’s burger, made using engineered heme molecules has become popular worldwide for its sustainability benefits.

3. Bolt Threads

Bolt Threads based in California focuses on sustainable fashion. It has successfully developed synthetic leather from mycelium or mushroom roots and synthetic silk for various textile applications aiming to reduce the environmental impact of traditional materials.

4. Mammoth Biosciences

The company has been using Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) technology to develop diagnostic tools for genetic diseases. Mammoth’s focus on the lesser-known Cas protein families offers a new angle for genome editing beyond the popular Cas9 positioning it as a leader in molecular diagnostics.

5. LanzaTech

LanzaTech is turning carbon emissions into biofuels and chemicals through synthetic biology. The firm’s carbon recycling technology is used to create sustainable aviation fuels and other products from industrial waste making significant strides toward a circular economy.

6. Amyris

Amyris leverages synthetic biology to produce bio-based chemicals from renewable sources. Known for its role in creating ingredients for cosmetics and healthcare products, the company has also made breakthroughs in biofuels and sweeteners.

7. Joyn Bio

A joint venture between Ginkgo Bioworks and Bayer, Joyn Bio is reengineering microbes to reduce the need for synthetic fertilizers in agriculture. The company’s work in creating nitrogen-fixing microbes is anticipated to revolutionize how farmers grow crops like corn and wheat.

8. Ecovative Design

The company is focusing on sustainable materials using synthetic biology to create mycelium-based packaging and textiles. Its biodegradable solutions are already being used by reputed companies like IKEA and Dell to replace conventional environmentally harmful materials.

9. Conagen

Conagen uses microbial fermentation to create natural ingredients for various industries, including food and pharmaceuticals. The company is known for producing vanillin, a key flavoring compound as well as biologic drugs for cancer treatment.

10. Huue

Huue is revolutionizing the fashion industry by producing eco-friendly indigo dyes through synthetic biology. By using sugar-consuming microbes, the firm offers a sustainable alternative to the toxic chemicals traditionally used in denim dyeing.

Manufacturing Sector on a Mission to Develop Renewable Materials with Synthetic Biology

The next few years are anticipated to exhibit considerable development though synthetic biology is still at the nascent stage. One of the significant challenges related to this field is the selection of a cell line that is ideal for creating bioparts without compromising on quality.

Companies are projected to come up with a predictive approach for the selection process with the emergence of standardized cell lines. It is set to push the development of new biosystems. As the adoption of synthetic biology is limited to the healthcare sector, key companies are persistently striving to introduce new applications. One of these is living theranostic systems.

Treating and diagnosing a chronic disease with a living system is projected to be a quantum leap in medicine. Amid innovations in medical therapy, the development of pluripotent stem cells is anticipated to create promising prospects.

The manufacturing industry too is set to benefit from synthetic biology. Companies are expected to create leading breakthroughs by using novel solutions to produce biodegradable and renewable raw materials. It will likely to help industries reduce their reliance on petroleum-based materials and prevent environmental degradation.

With fast-track approvals from government bodies, manufacturers are projected to develop innovative products for various industries. As biotechnology improves, they are set to lower the cost of their products.

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