Zymergen was an American biotechnology company based in Emeryville, California. The company applies genomics and machine learning to research and design chemical producing genetically modified organisms. It claimed that its manufacturing process was safer and cheaper than traditional manufacturing, but was unable to demonstrate this. Shortly after going public in 2021, it was reported that the company was facing difficulties in manufacturing and struggling to make revenue. In July 2022, Ginkgo Bioworks agreed to acquire Zymergen for $300 million.
History
Zymergen was founded in 2013.[4] by investment banker Joshua Hoffman, biophysicist Zach Serber, and biochemist Jed Dean.[5] All three met while working at Amyris, Inc. The company uses machine learning and artificial intelligence to study and modify microbes which ferment carbon[5] to produce chemicals used in manufacturing consumer goods and pharmaceuticals.[6]