Synthetic Genomics, Inc. Announces Agreement with New England Biolabs to Launch Gibson Assembly™ Master Mix Product for Synthetic and Molecular Biology Applications

LA JOLLA, Calif. and IPSWICH, Mass., Feb. 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Synthetic Genomics, Inc. (SGI), a privately held company commercializing and developing genomic-driven solutions to solve a variety of global needs, and New England Biolabs, Inc. (NEB), today jointly announced that they have entered into a non-exclusive licensing agreement whereby NEB will commercialize the Gibson Assembly™ Master Mix.  This product is based on the Gibson Assembly™ method which was developed by Daniel Gibson, Ph.D., and colleagues at the J. Craig Venter Institute (JCVI) as part of a program sponsored by SGI. The financial details of the agreement were not disclosed.

Gibson Assembly uses a one-step, isothermal approach to enable the rapid assembly of multiple DNA fragments.  Since its introduction to the life science community in 2009, the Gibson Assembly method has become a mainstay in many synthetic biology laboratories and has attracted interest from both the academic and commercial life sciences community due to its ease-of-use, robustness and flexibility.

The Gibson Assembly Master Mix includes protocols for primer design, and can be used for assembly of multiple DNA fragments, including linearized vector and insert. NEB's Gibson Assembly™ Master Mix can be used by researchers to assemble such synthetic nucleic acids into larger genetic constructs. The Gibson Assembly Master Mix is available for order through the NEB website (www.neb.com).

SGI also recently signed an agreement with Integrated DNA Technologies (IDT) to manufacture, market, and commercialize custom synthetic double-stranded nucleic acids of lengths up to 5 kb using SGI's proprietary technologies.

"The Gibson Assembly method is a powerful tool that we believe will enable synthetic biology researchers to make rapid advances leading to new discoveries and products," said J. Craig Venter, Ph.D., Founder and CEO, SGI.  "SGI is pleased to work with industry leader NEB in commercializing this product."

"New England Biolabs is delighted to work with SGI to introduce Gibson Assembly to our customers.  As a leader in the discovery and development of cloning tools and technologies, NEB has embraced this approach for building DNA constructs, and believes that it will open new opportunities for the manipulation of complex DNAs," states Richard J. Roberts, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer, NEB.

In May 2010 J. Craig Venter Institute researchers announced the successful construction of the first self-replicating synthetic bacterial cell, work that took years to complete and was enabled only through development of new tools and technologies. One such tool was Gibson Assembly. SGI sponsored this work at JCVI and controls the licensing of the technologies.

Gibson Assembly™ is a trademark of Synthetic Genomics, Inc.

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 algae biofuels in alliance with Exxon Mobil Research and Engineering Company, microbial-enhanced hydrocarbon recovery and conversion through an agreement with BP, new and improved food and nutritional products, and clean water technologies. SGI is also involved in synthetically derived vaccine development through Synthetic Genomic Vaccines Inc. (SGVI), a company co-founded with the J. Craig Venter Institute; and to developing sustainable crops and agricultural products through Agradis Inc., a company co-founded with Plenus S.A. de C.V. For more information go to: www.syntheticgenomics.com.

About New England Biolabs

Established in the mid 1970's, New England Biolabs, Inc. is the industry leader in the discovery and production of enzymes for molecular biology applications and now offers the largest selection of recombinant and native enzymes for genomic research. NEB continues to expand its product offerings into areas related to PCR, gene expression, sample preparation for next generation sequencing, cellular analysis, epigenetics and RNA analysis. Additionally, NEB is focused on strengthening alliances that enable new technologies to reach key market sectors. New England Biolabs is a privately held company, headquartered in Ipswich, MA and has extensive worldwide distribution through a network of exclusive distributors, agents and six subsidiaries located in Canada, China, France, Germany, Japan and the UK. For more information about New England Biolabs visit www.neb.com.

SGI Media Contact:
Heather Kowalski, [email protected], 858-361-0466

NEB Media Contact:
Deana Martin, [email protected], 978-380-7464

SOURCE Synthetic Genomics, Inc.