Again acquires Geno to combine AI-driven discovery with industrial biomanufacturing

Again, a technology firm, has acquired Genomatica, also known as Geno, an industrial biotechnology company. The combination merges their expertise in bioprocess engineering, computational biotechnology, and industrial-scale manufacturing. Specific financial details of the deal remain undisclosed. Again's focus lies in producing industrial products from various raw materials, and this acquisition bolsters its capabilities from pathway discovery through molecule design, scale-up, and commercial manufacturing.

A key aspect of the transaction is Genomatica's AI and computational biotechnology platform, alongside its patent portfolio and extensive data from experimental research, structural analysis, scale-up processes, and development outcomes. Again intends to incorporate these assets into its computational platform to enhance its modeling capabilities and expedite the development of new production pathways and products.

Genomatica has been dedicated to creating biotechnology processes for manufacturing chemicals and materials from renewable feedstocks, complementing Again's work on feedstock-independent technologies and industrial scale-up. The merged entities will possess capabilities ranging from pathway discovery to process development and industrial-scale production.

Max Kufner, CEO of Again, stated that AI is transforming biology, but algorithms' effectiveness hinges on their real-world, commercial-scale execution. Geno was a pioneer in applying AI and computational biotechnology to molecule discovery and design. The integration of Geno's technology with Again's scale-up platform and novel feedstock technologies aims to create a leading biomanufacturing platform.

This will unlock innovative products and supply chains that industries urgently need. The combined company plans to operate through various commercial models, including licensing its technology, co-developing production pathways with industrial partners, and manufacturing products using existing or planned production assets.