Ginkgo Bioworks, Inc. is establishing a premier platform for cell programming and biosecurity, while Virica Biotech Inc. specializes in enhancers for scaling viral vectors and cell and gene therapies. The two companies have announced a strategic partnership to improve their adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene therapy manufacturing processes. This collaboration seeks to address a significant challenge in the broader adoption of AAV-based gene therapies: the high manufacturing costs.
Ginkgo Bioworks and Virica Biotech have announced a partnership to enhance adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene therapy manufacturing. By combining Ginkgo’s advanced AAV services with Virica’s proprietary VSE™ enhancer platform, the collaboration aims to improve production titers and quality, ultimately reducing costs and increasing accessibility for patients.
“Our collaboration with Virica Biotech perfectly aligns with Ginkgo’s mission to provide innovative solutions for the gene therapy industry,” said Narendra Maheshri, VP of Genetic Medicines at Ginkgo Bioworks. “By integrating our proprietary HEKMo cell line and plasmid engineering innovations with VSEs, we can leverage our high-throughput screening capabilities to significantly lower AAV manufacturing costs and offer a comprehensive solution to our partners.”
Virica Biotech, known for its small molecule enhancers called Viral Sensitizers (VSE™s), will supply Ginkgo with a panel of VSEs for high-throughput AAV production screening. Ginkgo’s platform allows for rapid testing of these enhancers within clients’ cell lines, providing critical insights for large-scale applications. This synergy will enable Ginkgo’s partners to enhance AAV production efficiency through improved cell line modifications, plasmid constructs, and optimized bioprocessing.
“Partnering with Ginkgo enhances our capacity by utilizing their advanced screening and manufacturing capabilities, which are essential for quickly identifying effective VSE combinations for AAV production,” said Jean-Simon Diallo, CEO of Virica Biotech. “This partnership will accelerate the market introduction of our high-impact VSE solutions and reinforces our commitment to making gene therapies more accessible globally.”
For more information on Ginkgo AAV Services for Gene Therapy and to learn how to optimize your manufacturing processes, visit our website. Meet the teams from Virica and Ginkgo at the Cell & Gene Meeting on the Mesa.
About Virica Biotech
Virica develops cell enhancers that optimize viral vector and cell and gene therapy manufacturing, enabling scalable and cost-effective deployment. Their VSE™ platform mitigates production inefficiencies linked to innate cellular defenses, significantly boosting yields and lowering costs across various products, including vaccines and gene therapies.
About Ginkgo Bioworks
Ginkgo Bioworks is the leading platform for cell programming, offering end-to-end services to tackle challenges across multiple industries, including food, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and specialty chemicals. Ginkgo Biosecurity is developing advanced technologies for predicting, detecting, and responding to biological threats globally.
