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Viridos (company)
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<h2 id="core-markets">Core markets</h2> <p>SGI mainly operates in three <a href="/facts/Strategic_business_unit/7zc6Q5t7">end markets</a>: research, bioproduction and applied products. The <a href="/facts/Research/mo8joeTL">research</a> segment focuses on genomics solutions for academic and <a href="/facts/Contract_research_organization/KfvfpH3h">commercial research organizations</a>. The commercial products and services include <a href="/facts/Scientific_instrument/NX2ldw1E">instrumentation</a>, <a href="/facts/Reagents/c3GLInCu">reagents</a>, <a href="/facts/Artificial_gene_synthesis/ELoepoLA">DNA synthesis</a> services, and <a href="/facts/Bioinformatics/D5x2L8ee">bioinformatics</a> services and <a href="/facts/Software_as_a_service/LPyPQ5b7">software</a>. In 2015, the company launched the BioXP 3200 system,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:3" href="#fn:3"><sup>3</sup></a> a fully automated benchtop instrument that produces DNA fragments from many different sources for genomic data. </p><p>The company's efforts in bio-based production are intended to improve both existing production <a href="/facts/Host_(biology)/L6mop0kh">hosts</a> and develop entirely new synthetic production hosts with the goal of more efficient routes to <a href="/facts/Bioproducts/ymYJnNec">bioproducts</a>. </p><p>SGI has a number of commercial as well as research and development stage programs across a variety of industries. Some of these <a href="/facts/Strategic_partnership/MPdBP9sA">research partnerships</a> include: </p> <table><tbody><tr><th scope="col">Partner</th><th scope="col">Focus</th><th scope="col">Target</th></tr><tr><th scope="row"><a href="/facts/United_Therapeutics/NWjG6bgF">United Therapeutics</a></th><td><a href="/facts/Xenotransplantation/tbKt8gB5">Organ Transplantation</a></td><td>To reduce the risk of rejection in organ transplantation<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:4" href="#fn:4"><sup>4</sup></a></td></tr><tr><th scope="row"><a href="/facts/Novartis/jDregKez">Novartis Vaccines</a></th><td><a href="/facts/Vaccines/QcXzLug2">Vaccines</a></td><td>To stockpile synthetic flu vaccines for rapid response to global flu outbreaks<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:5" href="#fn:5"><sup>5</sup></a></td></tr><tr><th scope="row"><a href="/facts/Archer_Daniels_Midland/5j9ko77l">ADM</a></th><td><a href="/facts/Cooking_oil/FwHp4QXg">Food Oil</a></td><td>To provide nutritional oils that overcome cost barrier in multiple applications<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:6" href="#fn:6"><sup>6</sup></a></td></tr><tr><th scope="row"><a href="/facts/Monsanto/6rVAaIXB">Monsanto</a></th><td><a href="/facts/Agriculture/TGztqzJs">Agriculture</a></td><td>To map microbiome metagenome related to plant health and crop yield<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:7" href="#fn:7"><sup>7</sup></a></td></tr><tr><th scope="row"><a href="/facts/ExxonMobil/0qXyFrM4">ExxonMobil</a></th><td><a href="/facts/Biofuel/RWu7b6Y3">Biodiesel</a></td><td>To develop an algae platform that can produce economically viable biodiesel<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:8" href="#fn:8"><sup>8</sup></a></td></tr></tbody></table> <h2 id="history">History</h2> <p>Synthetic Genomics was founded in the spring of 2005 by <a href="/facts/J._Craig_Venter/qr1BPR53">J. Craig Venter</a>, Nobel Laureate <a href="/facts/Hamilton_O._Smith/vmKB4z3k">Hamilton O. Smith</a>, Juan Enriquez, and David Kiernan. Venter (and Smith)'s previous company, <a href="/facts/Celera_Genomics/9bEVX6TQ">Celera Genomics</a>, was a driving force in the race to sequence the <a href="/facts/Human_Genome_Project/eQDHgHTP">human genome</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:9" href="#fn:9"><sup>9</sup></a> The firm takes its name from the phrase <a href="/facts/Synthetic_genomics/5hwNUaMl">synthetic genomics</a> which is a scientific discipline of <a href="/facts/Synthetic_biology/rHSNe8j3">synthetic biology</a> related to the generation of organisms artificially using genetic material.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:10" href="#fn:10"><sup>10</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:11" href="#fn:11"><sup>11</sup></a> </p><p>Many of SGI's collaborations have been with energy companies. In 2007, SGI worked with BP to commercialize microbial-based processes for increasing the conversion and recovery of subsurface hydrocarbons.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:12" href="#fn:12"><sup>12</sup></a> In 2009, SGI received funding from <a href="/facts/ExxonMobil/0qXyFrM4">ExxonMobil</a> to produce <a href="/facts/Biofuel/RWu7b6Y3">biofuels</a> on an industrial-scale using recombinant <a href="/facts/Algae/U1ftVKU3">algae</a> and other microorganisms.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:13" href="#fn:13"><sup>13</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:14" href="#fn:14"><sup>14</sup></a> The company purchased an 81-acre site (33 ha) in the <a href="/facts/Imperial_Valley/9aSIEjne">Imperial Valley</a> in <a href="/facts/Southern_California/1CaAWjd2">Southern California</a> to produce <a href="/facts/Algae_fuel/A0SBG0RL">algae fuel</a> for their collaboration with Exxon Mobil.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:15" href="#fn:15"><sup>15</sup></a> They also signed a collaborative agreement with <a href="/facts/New_England_Biolabs/DhvjCYpr">New England Biolabs</a> to Launch Gibson Assembly Master Mix Product for Synthetic and Molecular Biology Applications in 2012.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:16" href="#fn:16"><sup>16</sup></a> </p><p>In 2010, Synthetic Genomics spun off a new subsidiary, Synthetic Genomics Vaccines Inc., to develop next generation <a href="/facts/Vaccines/QcXzLug2">vaccines</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:17" href="#fn:17"><sup>17</sup></a> </p><p>In 2014 SGI expanded into the field of <a href="/facts/Organ_transplantation/1jNvVJn6">organ transplantation</a> with a collaborative agreement with <a href="/facts/United_Therapeutics/NWjG6bgF">United Therapeutics</a> valued at $50M<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:18" href="#fn:18"><sup>18</sup></a> and brought in Oliver Fetzer as <a href="/facts/CEO/mg4A8y5M">CEO</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:19" href="#fn:19"><sup>19</sup></a> </p> <h2 id="external-links">External links</h2> <ul><li><a href="http://www.syntheticgenomics.com/">Official website</a></li></ul> <h2 id="references">References</h2> <ol> <li id="fn:1"><p>"News and Media". Viridos. Retrieved 2022-05-23. <a href="https://www.viridos.com/media/" target="_blank">https://www.viridos.com/media/</a> <a href="#fnref:1" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:2"><p>"Algal Genomics and Biotechnology". Viridos. Retrieved 2022-05-23. <a href="https://www.viridos.com/about-us/" target="_blank">https://www.viridos.com/about-us/</a> <a href="#fnref:2" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:3"><p>"SGI-DNA Launches the BioXp™ 3200 System Early Access Program". SGI-DNA. <a href="http://www.syntheticgenomics.com/040215.html" target="_blank">http://www.syntheticgenomics.com/040215.html</a> <a href="#fnref:3" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:4"><p>"Synthetic Genomics Inc. Expands Collaborative Research and Development Agreement with Lung Biotechnology PBC, a Subsidiary of United Therapeutics Corporation, to Develop Organs for Transplantation". www.prnewswire.com. <a href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/synthetic-genomics-inc-expands-collaborative-research-and-development-agreement-with-lung-biotechnology-pbc-a-subsidiary-of-united-therapeutics-corporation-to-develop-organs-for-transplantation-300147402.html" target="_blank">https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/synthetic-genomics-inc-expands-collaborative-research-and-development-agreement-with-lung-biotechnology-pbc-a-subsidiary-of-united-therapeutics-corporation-to-develop-organs-for-transplantation-300147402.html</a> <a href="#fnref:4" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:5"><p>"Novartis Teams with Synthetic Genomics Vaccines to Develop Flu Seed Virus Banks". 7 October 2010. <a href="http://www.genengnews.com/gen-news-highlights/novartis-teams-with-synthetic-genomics-vaccines-to-develop-flu-seed-virus-banks/81244037/" target="_blank">http://www.genengnews.com/gen-news-highlights/novartis-teams-with-synthetic-genomics-vaccines-to-develop-flu-seed-virus-banks/81244037/</a> <a href="#fnref:5" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:6"><p>"algaeplanet.com". algaeplanet.com. <a href="https://algaeplanet.com/" target="_blank">https://algaeplanet.com/</a> <a href="#fnref:6" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:7"><p>"Monsanto Acquires Parts of Agradis, Partners with Synthetic Genomics". <a href="http://www.xconomy.com/san-diego/2013/01/31/monsanto-acquires-parts-of-agradis-partners-with-synthetic-genomics/" target="_blank">http://www.xconomy.com/san-diego/2013/01/31/monsanto-acquires-parts-of-agradis-partners-with-synthetic-genomics/</a> <a href="#fnref:7" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:8"><p>"Exxon Sinks $600M Into Algae-Based Biofuels in Major Strategy Shift". The New York Times. <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/gwire/2009/07/14/14greenwire-exxon-sinks-600m-into-algae-based-biofuels-in-33562.html" target="_blank">https://www.nytimes.com/gwire/2009/07/14/14greenwire-exxon-sinks-600m-into-algae-based-biofuels-in-33562.html</a> <a href="#fnref:8" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:9"><p>"About Synthetic Genomics". Synthetic Genomics' corporate website. Archived from the original on September 24, 2005. Retrieved November 26, 2005. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050924142325/http://syntheticgenomics.com/about.htm" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20050924142325/http://syntheticgenomics.com/about.htm</a> <a href="#fnref:9" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:10"><p>Whitehouse, David (July 4, 2005). "Venter revives synthetic bug talk". BBC. <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4636121.stm" target="_blank">http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4636121.stm</a> <a href="#fnref:10" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:11"><p>Pennisi, E. (2010). "Genomics. Synthetic genome brings new life to bacterium". Science. 328 (5981): 958–959. doi:10.1126/science.328.5981.958. PMID 20488994. <a href="/wiki/Elizabeth_Pennisi" target="_blank">/wiki/Elizabeth_Pennisi</a> <a href="#fnref:11" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:12"><p>"Algae Biofuel | Viridos - Formerly Synthetic Genomics". Viridos. <a href="https://www.viridos.com" target="_blank">https://www.viridos.com</a> <a href="#fnref:12" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:13"><p>"Juha-Pekka Tikka : Craig Venter Has Algae Biofuel in Synthetic Genomics' Pipeline. Xconomy San Diego. 6/4/09". <a href="http://www.xconomy.com/san-diego/2009/06/04/craig-venter-has-algae-biofuel-in-synthetic-genomics-pipeline/" target="_blank">http://www.xconomy.com/san-diego/2009/06/04/craig-venter-has-algae-biofuel-in-synthetic-genomics-pipeline/</a> <a href="#fnref:13" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:14"><p>"Scientist on plan to turn algae to fuel". NPR. July 15, 2009. <a href="https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=106658672" target="_blank">https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=106658672</a> <a href="#fnref:14" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:15"><p>"Press Release". <a href="http://www.algaeobserver.com/synthetic-genomics-inc-purchases-81-acre-site-in-south-california-desert#more-1033" target="_blank">http://www.algaeobserver.com/synthetic-genomics-inc-purchases-81-acre-site-in-south-california-desert#more-1033</a> <a href="#fnref:15" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:16"><p>"Synthetic Genomics, New England Biolabs Partner to Commercialize DNA Assembly Product". GenomeWeb. February 8, 2012. <a href="https://www.genomeweb.com/pcr/synthetic-genomics-new-england-biolabs-partner-commercialize-dna-assembly-product" target="_blank">https://www.genomeweb.com/pcr/synthetic-genomics-new-england-biolabs-partner-commercialize-dna-assembly-product</a> <a href="#fnref:16" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:17"><p>"Press Release". <a href="http://www.xconomy.com/san-diego/2010/10/07/venter-institute-synthetic-genomics-form-vaccine-company-partner-with-novartis/" target="_blank">http://www.xconomy.com/san-diego/2010/10/07/venter-institute-synthetic-genomics-form-vaccine-company-partner-with-novartis/</a> <a href="#fnref:17" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:18"><p>"Article". <a href="http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2014/may/06/synthetic-genomics-pigs-lung-therapeutics/" target="_blank">http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2014/may/06/synthetic-genomics-pigs-lung-therapeutics/</a> <a href="#fnref:18" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:19"><p>"Union Tribune Article". <a href="http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2014/oct/27/synthetic-genomics-ceo-fetzer-venter/" target="_blank">http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2014/oct/27/synthetic-genomics-ceo-fetzer-venter/</a> <a href="#fnref:19" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> </ol>