Ginkgo Bioworks and Illumina Partner to Expand Global Pathogen Genomic Surveillance Through Concentric's 'BioRadar' Network

Jan 18, 2024 08:02 CST Updated 08:02

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On January 15 local time in the United States, Concentric, the biosafety and public health division of synthetic biology company Ginkgo Bioworks (NYSE: DNA, hereinafter referred to as Ginkgo), announced that it had signed a cooperation agreement with genomics company Illumina (Nasdaq: ILMN).The two parties will use Illumina's technology to build pathogen surveillance technology within Concentric’s “BioRadar” global network to expand global biosafety capabilities.

(Source: Company Official Website)

It is reported that, asGinkgoAs a business unit of Ginkgo Bioworks, Concentric focuses on leveraging Ginkgo’s core technology to address public health challenges and provide services related to biosecurity and monitoring. Specifically, Ginkgo offers foundational technical support and scientific expertise, while Concentric drives commercial applications and services in specific fields. This business model allows Ginkgo to strategically expand into various sectors with a unified technological core and strategic direction. Relying on Ginkgo’s synthetic biology technology platform, Concentric delivers comprehensive monitoring solutions to help enterprises, schools, medical institutions, and government agencies better understand and respond to infectious diseases and potential threats.

Currently, Concentric is building a "bio-radar" system in multiple countries around the world.Global Pathogen Surveillance Network System, this network system is able to detect, characterize, and rapidly respond to biological threats, while also helping to drive decision-making to support global health goals and enhance national security and early warning capabilities. Currently, more than ten countries worldwide are utilizing Concentric’s integrated service platform to explore and guide biosafety projects.

As a global leader in gene sequencing and chip array technology,IlluminaTo develop integrated systems (such as next-generation DNA sequencing instruments, consumables, and supporting software, etc.) for researchers, clinical institutions, pharmaceutical companies, and the genetic sequencing market. These systems are widely used in studies of disease-related genetic variations, cancer genomics, agricultural biotechnology, precision medicine, and personalized medicine, providing large amounts of genetic information quickly, accurately, and at a relatively low cost.

According to the official press release from Ginkgo, this collaboration mainly focuses on integrating Illumina products with the Concentric BioRadar Network System to accelerate the expansion of the pathogen monitoring network.Expand the Scale and Scope of Global Pathogen Genomic Surveillance. Next, the two parties will cooperate to promote their solutions,Strengthen early warning for newly emerging and novel pathogens, and fill the gaps in global bio-monitoring infrastructure.

▲Figure｜Ginkgo Bioworks General Manager of Biosecurity Matt McKnight (Source: Company website)

"Without sustained investment in global early monitoring, we remain highly vulnerable to the threat of the next novel pathogen. Through the partnership established with Illumina, Concentric aims to accelerate the deployment of early warning and bio-radar programs for countries around the world, modernizing biothreat defense. There is an urgent need for ongoing genomic surveillance capabilities to drive risk identification and collective response ahead of potential pandemics and emerging biological threats," said Matt McKnight, General Manager of Ginkgo Bioworks' Biosecurity Division.

"Illumina currently offers sequencing solutions that enable researchers to truly understand the nature of pathogens through a holistic and comprehensive approach. We are honored to collaborate with Concentric, empowering nations to protect the health of their citizens from various infectious diseases," said Luke Hickey, Vice President of Marketing at Illumina.

Notably, the press release also pointed out that the common goal of this collaboration is to help establish local bio-monitoring capabilities, rather than outsourcing biosecurity to unreliable third parties. Concentric and Illumina are working together to ensure that countries around the world are equipped and empowered locally and sustainably.

References:

1.https://investors.ginkgobioworks.com/news/news-details/2024/Concentric-by-Ginkgo-and-Illumina-collaborate-to-deploy-biosurveillance-technologies-around-the-world/default.aspx

2.https://www.concentricbyginkgo.com/

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