SGI-DNA, a New Subsidiary of Synthetic Genomics Inc., and IDT Announce Broader Collaboration to Develop, Manufacture, and Market Synthetic DNA Products

LA JOLLA, Calif. and CORALVILLE, Iowa, Feb. 27, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- SGI-DNA, a wholly owned subsidiary of Synthetic Genomics Inc. (SGI), and Integrated DNA Technologies, Inc. (IDT), the world leader in custom oligonucleotide synthesis, today announced an expanded collaboration to develop, manufacture, and market a broad range of synthetic DNA products. Financial details of the agreement were not disclosed.

SGI also announced the official launch of SGI-DNA, which is responsible for all aspects of the development, manufacture, and commercialization of SGI's synthetic DNA technology business. Fernanda Gandara has assumed the role of General Manager for SGI-DNA, and will remain as SGI's Senior Vice President for Business Development.

In February of 2012, IDT and SGI began to co-manufacture and commercialize small synthetic gene products up to 5 kb. IDT also launched its gBlocks™ Gene Fragments product line, for use in combination with SGI's proprietary DNA technologies, including Gibson Assembly™.  These IDT and SGI technologies have already revolutionized synthetic biology applications by substantially lowering DNA synthesis costs and by making DNA assembly more efficient and reliable.

IDT and SGI-DNA are now expanding this collaboration to manufacture and co-brand cloned synthetic DNA constructs up to 2 Mbp, a product offering that has never been available until today.  This will enable new applications including metabolic and whole genome engineering through de novo DNA synthesis.  SGI-DNA is manufacturing the synthetic DNA products and making them available through IDT, and is now IDT's exclusive supplier of the larger DNA constructs.  The two companies will also work together on IDT's launch of an expanded gBlocks™ Gene Fragment offering, expected later in 2013.

"Over the last year, we have grown our in-house gene synthesis business, and effectively worked together with IDT to co-manufacture and commercialize smaller synthetic gene products," said J. Craig Venter, Ph.D., SGI's Founder and Chief Executive Officer. "We are excited about what we will accomplish through the expanded relationship with IDT, which combines SGI-DNA's unique expertise with large, complex gene products and IDT's experience in manufacturing and delivering small DNA products to customers around the globe."

Joseph Walder, Ph.D., IDT's Founder and Chief Executive Officer, agreed.  "Through this strengthened collaboration, SGI-DNA and IDT will enable the research community by providing a complete solution, from short genes to very large synthetic constructs, at prices and with delivery times simply unavailable in the market today. Enabling new and better research has always been the essence of IDT's mission, so it's the perfect fit."

For more information about how to order IDT/SGI-DNA products please visit, https://www.idtdna.com/pages/products/genes/custom-gene-synthesis.

About SGI-DNA                                                                                                                          SGI-DNA, a wholly owned subsidiary of Synthetic Genomics, Inc. (SGI) founded in 2013 and headquartered in La Jolla, CA, provides differentiated synthetic DNA solutions to leading organizations with demands for large and/or complex DNA constructs. Building on the scientific breakthroughs from leading scientists J. Craig Venter, Hamilton Smith, Clyde Hutchison, Dan Gibson and their teams, SGI-DNA utilizes unique and proprietary DNA synthesis technologies from SGI to produce synthetic genes, genetic pathways, and whole genomes quickly and cost-effectively. SGI-DNA is responsible for all commercial aspects of SGI's synthetic DNA business and focuses on strategic business relationships with both academic and commercial researchers. For more information, visit www.sgidna.com.

About IDT
Integrated DNA Technologies, Inc. (IDT) is the largest supplier of custom synthetic nucleic acids in the world, serving the areas of academic research, biotechnology, clinical diagnostics, and pharmaceutical development. IDT's primary business is the manufacture of custom primers, probes, and genes for research and diagnostic applications. Today, IDT synthesizes and ships an average of 36,000 custom oligos per day to more than 86,000 customers worldwide. IDT's manufacturing locations include facilities in Coralville, Iowa; San Diego, Calif.; Leuven, Belgium; and Singapore. For more information, visit www.idtdna.com.

About Synthetic Genomics Inc.
SGI, a privately held company founded in 2005, is dedicated to developing and commercializing genomic-driven solutions to address a wide range of global challenges. The company is focused on several key research and business programs including: developing new synthetic DNA products and technologies through SGI-DNA, algae biofuels, new and improved food and nutritional products, and clean water technology. SGI is also involved in synthetically derived vaccine development through Synthetic Genomic Vaccines Inc. (SGVI), a business unit co-founded with the J. Craig Venter Institute; and in developing sustainable crops such as castor and sweet sorghum and agricultural products through AgraCast, a company co-founded with Plenus S.A. de C.V. For more information go to: www.syntheticgenomics.com.

Media Contact for SGI and SGI-DNA
Heather Kowalski
858-361-0466
[email protected]

Media Contact for IDT
Stephen Gunstream
319-626-9696
[email protected]

SOURCE Synthetic Genomics Inc.