Synthetic Genomics, Inc. (SGI), a La Jolla, CA-based company founded by Dr. J. Craig Venter and Nobel Laureate Hamilton Smith to commercialize synthetic genomic advances, has recieved an undisclosed equity investment from Life Technologies Corporation (NASDAQ: LIFE), a provider of innovative life science solutions.Synthetic biology has applications across a number of fields, from the development of new sources of fuel, to products such as new vaccines that will improve human health.
After focusing on bioenergy, SGI has now extended its interests to food production, clean water and vaccine development. One of the company’s main business programs is with Exxon Mobil Research and Engineering Group, a R&D alliance focused on finding and optimizing algae to efficiently produce biological crude oil replacements.
The program utilizes both synthetic genome techniques as well as other more traditional metabolic engineering techniques.
Commenting on the reasons behind this new alliance, Dr. Venter said: “Given the breadth of business areas that Life Technologies covers and their leadership position in the life sciences space, we are extremely pleased to have the company as an investor in SGI.
“We look forward to working with Greg and the Life Technologies team to explore and optimize the synergies of our two companies”.
FinSMEs
03/06/2010