#USA #Boston #ARPA-H #Ginkgo Bioworks #Tritica Biosciences

Ginkgo Bioworks Collaborates on Groundbreaking Drug Manufacturing Project

Ginkgo Bioworks, a pioneering company focusing on cell programming and biosecurity, has announced a new contract to advance pharmaceutical manufacturing through an innovative project spearheaded by the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H). This initiative aims to stabilize pharmaceutical supply chains, ensuring that critical medicines are easily accessible and produced domestically.

Collaboration Overview

The project, dubbed Wheat-based High efficiency Enzyme and API Technology (WHEAT), is a collaboration involving Ginkgo Bioworks and four other organizations: Tritica Biosciences, US Pharmacopeia (USP), On Demand Pharmaceuticals, and Isolere Bio by Donaldson. The contract, valued at $29 million over two years, focuses on the utilization of wheat germ cell-free expression systems to produce essential active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and biologics.

Transforming Pharmaceutical Manufacturing

Ginkgo Bioworks plans to leverage its advanced cell-free technology and machine learning capabilities to create a distributed manufacturing model for essential medicines. By producing APIs locally rather than relying on global supply chains, the project aspires to enhance resilience in the pharmaceutical sector, making critical drugs more affordable and accessible. This effort reflects a significant shift from traditional, often vulnerable supply chains to a more robust, decentralized approach.

In terms of production processes, WHEAT will focus on biocatalysis for complex API synthesis, especially in instances where current supply chains are limited to natural products or international sources. The innovations under WHEAT also encompass developments in protein post-translational modifications, which are essential for the production of biologics like insulin and growth factors.

A New Era of Medicine

Jesse Dill, Senior Director of Business Development at Ginkgo Bioworks, expressed excitement about this partnership, stating, "We are thrilled for the opportunity to work on this exciting project with ARPA-H and our teammates to allow Americans to reap the benefits when we bring together innovations in farm and pharma."

This project aims to change how pharmaceuticals are manufactured by applying wheat germ cell-free systems to make production not only more efficient but also more flexible and responsive to local needs. According to Chris Miller, Founder and CSO of Tritica Biosciences, this collaboration represents the future of medicine manufacturing that will enhance production efficiency.

Broader Implications

The importance of supply chain security for essential medicines cannot be understated. Eugene Choi, President and COO of On Demand Pharmaceuticals, noted that such collaborations could reshape the access and delivery of vital medications to healthcare professionals and their communities. Meanwhile, Ronald T. Piervincenzi, Ph.D., CEO of USP, emphasized that advanced and biomanufacturing technologies are crucial for bolstering supply chain resilience in the healthcare sector.

This project marks one of the first initiatives under ARPA-H's Scalable Solutions Office, which is committed to improving the health of Americans through faster, more efficient access to medical treatments. Ginkgo Bioworks is positioned as a frontrunner in the field of cell-free manufacturing, capitalizing on its engineering prowess to drive this transformational agenda.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this collaboration is not just about technology but also about reshaping the future of pharmaceutical manufacturing. The goal of the WHEAT project extends beyond efficiency; it aims to ensure that lifesaving therapies are timely and readily available to those who need them most. For more information on Ginkgo Bioworks and their innovative projects, visit their website or follow them on social media. This initiative shines a light on the intersection of agriculture and pharmaceuticals, promising a more secure and responsive healthcare landscape for all Americans.