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Depth! The Scale Cost Paradox: A Must Solve Problem in Synthetic Biology!
time2025/02/20
- In the field of biomanufacturing, enterprises face a seemingly unsolvable challenge - the scale cost paradox.
The core of this paradox is that companies need to reach a certain production scale to achieve cost-effectiveness, but without sufficient market demand, they find it difficult to expand their scale.
Technological innovation: domestication of wild microorganisms to enhance cell productivity
To address this paradox, experts have proposed a series of innovative technologies. Wild Microbes is researching how to domesticate wild microorganisms to make them more suitable for expressing certain proteins or using alternative feed.
Their method is to perform large-scale gene editing using high-throughput tools, such as autophagy tools, to achieve reservoir scale engineering in wild hosts.
Amplification of fermentation process
Enduro Genetics has developed a technology that significantly increases biomanufacturing yield and prevents yield decline when scaling up by "making cells addicted to high yields".
They link the expression of genes necessary for cell survival with the production of target substances, ensuring that only cells producing target substances can grow or proliferate.
Financial Issues: Challenges and Opportunities for Investors
Although synthetic biology startups attracted $6.9 billion in investment in 2023, it decreased by 31% compared to 2022. Mark B ü nger, co-founder of Futurity Systems, warns that 2024 may be even more difficult as investors' appetite for risk decreases and they are more inclined to deposit funds in banks.
However, investment in the field of synthetic biology continues, especially in technologies such as using AI for protein folding prediction, which not only saves a lot of labor costs but also promotes further development of the industry.
Must read! 20 synthetic biology research directions at the University of California, Berkeley! High throughput analysis, microbiome control, engineered viruses, brain organoids, pooled gene screening
Biological manufacturing capability: limitations of existing CMO networks
The existing Contract Manufacturing Organization (CMO) network is also facing challenges. Joshua Lachter, co-founder of Synonym, pointed out that there are significant differences in the capabilities of CMOs, which makes standardization and scale production difficult.
Mark Warner, founder of Liberation Labs, stated that most of the existing production facilities were built 40-50 years ago and are not suitable for the current needs of biomanufacturing. He is building a 600000 liter new 'fit for purpose' biomanufacturing capacity in Indiana to meet new production demands.
AI and Engineering Biology: New Hotspots in Investment
Despite facing numerous challenges, investment in the field of synthetic biology continues. B ü nger pointed out that more investment is currently shifting towards application areas, especially the use of AI for protein folding prediction and other technologies.
These technologies not only save a lot of labor costs, but also promote further development of the industry. Companies such as Cradle and Absci have attracted significant investment in talent and technology in this interdisciplinary field.
Depth! US Intelligence Council: 10 Most Disruptive Biotechnology Scenarios (2020-2040)! Organ printing, reproductive engineering, synthetic biology, DNA coding
More Sustainable Feed: From Carbon Cycle to Continuous Processing
In order to reduce costs, experts have also proposed using by-products from the carbon cycle as more sustainable feed. David Welch, co-founder of Synthesis Capital, emphasized that we need new microbial strains that can produce different types of proteins more efficiently and utilize non-traditional feed.
Shannon Hall, co-founder of PoW.bio, pointed out that the shift from batch to continuous processing can enable companies to use smaller and more efficient bioreactors to achieve the same output.
Investor perspective: failure and opportunity coexist
Jenny Rooke, Managing Director of Genoa Ventures, stated that there is still room for improvement in helping entrepreneurs choose successful business models.
Omri Amirav Drory, the general partner of NFX, emphasized that the numbers in biomanufacturing must be very precise, otherwise the problems will multiply when scaling up. They are more inclined to invest in platform technology because only good platforms can create good products.
