Biotechnology is the use of technology to modify or manipulate living systems or parts of living systems for the generation of useful products, biological processing, to treat disease or to acquire knowledge. Products manufactured or processed using biotechnology are found in agricultural, pharmaceutical, food, chemical and biofuel industries. Biotechnology is also used in waste treatment.
Biotechnology fundamentals
Biotechnology is used to modify living systems or parts of living systems based on knowledge about essential parts or processes which allow living things to grow, reproduce, use resources and respond to their environment.
- DNA
Biotechnology tools
Biotechnology tools have been developed in research areas such as molecular biology, biochemistry, immunology, genetics, microbiology, cell biology and agriculture.
- Chimeric antigen receptors (CARs)
- Engineered regulatory T cells (Tregs)
Gene editing tools
- CRISPR
Biomaterials
Biomaterials interact with biological systems. They can be natural or synthetic, alive or lifeless and are made of multiple components. Biomaterials are often used in medical applications.
Biomolecules
Biomolecules, also called biological molecules, are molecules produced by cells of living organisms. DNA, RNA and enzymes are examples of biomolecules. The following are biomolecules with uses in pharmaceuticals, food, cosmetics or textiles.
- spider silk, recombinant spider silk is produced by Kraig Biocraft Laboratories
- Mycotech
Mapping Projects
Mapping projects serve as reference manuals to living systems by showing the organization of components within living organisms. Mapping projects promote the sharing of biological information.
Standardization
Facilitating access to DNA sequences
Large biopharmaceutical companies
Therapeutics companies
The following companies are using biotechnology in disease research and in development and production of medicine or therapies for a range of injuries or illnesses.
Allergy
Diabetes
Herpes
Software
Drug delivery system
- ZenCapsule (cancer treatments)
- Evox Therpeutics (exosome delivery)
- Anjarium Biosciences (engineered exosomes)
- Kala Pharmaceuticals (ocular conditions)
Drug discovery platforms
Kidney disease
- Visterra (antibody-based medicines)
Pain treatment
Dermatology
Cancer
- Sierra Oncology (previously ProNAi Therapeutics)
- OncoSenX
- Autolus
Immunotherapy
Rare disease
Therapeutics targeting RNA splicing
Multi-drug resistant bacteria
ADHD treatment
Depression and anxiety
Autoimmune and inflammatory disease
Respiratory and pulmonary disease
Cardiovascular disease
Contract research companies
Regenerative medicine
Neuromuscular disease
Alzheimer's, neurological and neurodegenerative diseases
Infertility
Contraceptives
Eye disease or injury
Bone repair
Eating disorders
Antibacterial products and therapeutics
- Nextbiotics
- Nestle
- BiomX
Aging
Fibrosis
Plant-based manufacturing of therapeutics and vaccines
- Medicago
Live bacteria therapeutic delivery systems
Genome editing and gene therapy
Drug discovery in microbes
Vaccine development
- Microsynbiotix (oral vaccines for aquaculture produced in algae)
Theranostics
Theranostics combines diagnotics and therapeutics.
In vitro diagnostics (IVD) and molecular diagnostics companies
Biotechnology is used by IVD companies to develop tests that detect diseases in vitro, meaning outside the body, from human samples like blood, urine and tissue. Molecular diagnostics are a subset of tests within IVD which detect DNA and RNA in order to assess health. Examples are detection of disease-causing gene mutations or presence of viral DNA or RNA. Detection of proteins using antibodies is considered separate from molecular diagnostics but falls under IVD. In addition to molecular diagnostics and immunoassays, the IVD market also includes clinical chemistry, hematology analyzers and microbiology culture.
- Abbott Diagnostics division of Abbott Laboratories
- Illumina
- LabCorp
- QIAGEN
- Grail
Diagnostics tools
- Cas12a based DETECTR system to detect viruses
- Cas12a based HOMES system to detect viruses and small nucleotide polymorphism sites in human DNA related to health and personal characteristics
- Cas12- and Cas13- based molecular diagnostics by Mammoth Biosciences
- CRISPR-on-a-chip for cancer diagnostics
Genetic Testing for Disease Risks
Advising oncology treatment based on molecular tests
Large Genomics and Health Studies
Genomic analysis for drug development and deployment
Microbiome analysis
- Juno Bio
Proteomics-based biomarkers
- Inoviv
Quantum computing applications in life sciences
Genetic ancestry testing
Imaging technology and bioanalytics
Bioprinting
- Vivax Bio and its subsidiary, 3D Bioprinting Solutions
Biotechnology companies that provide research tools
The following companies that produce instruments, kits, reagents and computer software for basic and applied biological research.
Microfluidic cell culture, organ-on-a-chip, human-on-a-chip
Sustainable and biodegradable materials
Food industry
Textiles
Chemical industry
Agriculture (Ag biotech)
Biological control systems
- Oxitec (insect-based control of disease-carrying mosquitoes and crop-damaging insects)
Carbon capture and conversion
Floriculture
Biofuels
First generation biofuels include ethanol and plant oil produced from sugar and starch. Second generation biofuels are produced from non-food biomass called lignocellulose and are called cellulosic biofuels. Third generation biofuels are derived from algae and produce feedstock as well as fuel. Fourth generation biofuels are electrofuels or photobiological solar fuels.
- Proterro
Wetware
Biotechnology in conservation
Skincare products
Blockchain and biology
The ability of blockchain to facilitate transparency, control and sharing of information, while keeping data secure, is being applied to biotechnology. Blockchain technology in data storage and online platforms can improve sharing and access to information and also provide quicker ways for tracking and managing various steps in drug development.
For immunotherapies such as CAR-T cell therapy, blockchain can provide ways to store, maintain, track and secure information about cells derived from a donor patient like editing performed, storage conditions and transport from donor to recipient. Information must be accessible to patients, physicians, laboratory scientists, logistics companies, supply chains and infusion centers.
- Nebula Genomics (genome sequencing company)
- Genexi (blockchain and cryptocurrency marketplace)
- Orvium (scientific publishing)
Other biotechnology companies
Trade Associations
Biotechnology investment
Biotech startup support
Consultants in Biotechnology
Research Institutes
Community biolabs and projects
Conferences
- Transtech Conference
- International Conference on Biomedical Engineering and Biotechnology
- Discovery On Target
- BIO-Europe
- Biotech Showcase
- Cell Series USA
- The American Society of Human Genetics annual meeting
- The American Society for Cell Biology annual meeting
Biosafety organizations
- AMEXBIO
Timeline
People
Further reading
1H 2019 biopharma startup and VC report
Richard Murphey
Web
7/9/2019
Documentaries, videos and podcasts
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Companies
References
Contributors
- 1
Meredith Hanel
Medical Genetics PhD, following life science applications that improve the health of humans and our planet. - 2
Carla Faraguna
Golden People and Operations. - 3
Dawson Sewell
Seeking to explain science and technology through simple writing. - 4
Melanie Manipula
Researcher, writer and a former librarian - 5
Vi Chang
Engineering mind with a design eye. Lifelong learner committed to self-improvement. - 6
Jude Gomila
Founder and CEO of Golden, Entrepreneur. Previously Co Founder of Heyzap. Investor in 100+ companies. Cantabrigian (Gonville and Caius). - 7
Alex Dean
Masters in Biostatistics/Epidemiology @ UC Berkeley | BA in Biology @ Wesleyan University - 8
Charles Petty
Principal at Adjuvant Capital - 9
Richard Murphey
Founder of Bay Bridge Bio, previously biotech investor, founder and financial analyst - 10
Reto Stamm
Developing microfluidic devices.
