Synthetic Genomics (company)

Synthetic Genomics Inc. (SGI) was founded in 2005 by J. Craig Venter and Nobel Laureate Hamilton O. Smith. The company has three core focus areas including self-amplifying RNA for vaccines and therapeutics, automated DNA and RNA production, and novel cell factories for discovery and biomanufacturing. Its subsidiary, SGI-DNA, commercializes hardware and reagents for DNA synthesis, including the world's first desktop DNA synthesizer.

Synthetic Genomics develops technology to reprogram cells for medicines and bio-based products.

Their R&D programs focus on self-amplifying RNA for vaccines and therapeutics and cell factories for discovery and biomanufacturing.

Synthetic Genomics has commercialized two novel organisms that have the potential to become new standard host organisms in biological research. Cmax is a microbial host capable of making proteins, including monoclonal antibodies, for therapeutic applications. It is purported to be faster, cheaper, and more scaleable than the industry standard host Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells.

Vmax is a microbial host capable of making a variety of molecules. It is a proprietary strain of Vibrio natriegens, which grows nearly twice as fast as Escherichia coli, a standard host organism used in biological research and some commercial applications.

Synthetic Genomics has publicly-announced five partnerships, including three focused on healthcare, one focused on animal health, and one focused on industrial biotechnology: ExxonMobil, United Therapeutics, Ceva, Janssen and Novartis.