US Funds Ginkgo Bioworks $22.2M Contract to Bolster Pandemic Defense Manufacturing

By Brenda Thompson

BOSTON, MA – The Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), a division of the US Department of Health and Human Services, has awarded Ginkgo Bioworks a contract worth up to $22.2 million to accelerate domestic biomanufacturing capabilities for producing antibody therapies targeting infectious diseases. The agreement underscores a growing national focus on bolstering pandemic preparedness and reducing reliance on international supply chains, while raising questions about the cost of innovation and access to critical medicines.

Announced earlier this week, the project will leverage Ginkgo’s synthetic biology platform to improve the scalability and efficiency of manufacturing monoclonal antibodies, specifically focusing on those targeting Ebola and Sudan Virus. The contract signifies a strategic shift towards proactive investment in biomanufacturing infrastructure, a lesson learned from the supply chain bottlenecks experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The pandemic exposed critical vulnerabilities in our ability to rapidly produce essential medicines domestically,” stated an anonymous source familiar with the BARDA contract. “This partnership with Ginkgo is a step towards building a more resilient and responsive biomanufacturing ecosystem.”

Reshoring and National Security

The contract arrives amidst a broader push to ‘reshore’ manufacturing capabilities across various sectors, driven by concerns about national security and supply chain resilience. Historically, much of the world’s pharmaceutical manufacturing has been concentrated in countries like India and China. However, geopolitical tensions and disruptions caused by the pandemic have prompted governments worldwide to prioritize domestic production.

“The US has long relied on international partners for critical pharmaceutical ingredients and finished products,” explained a healthcare analyst who requested anonymity. “While globalization has brought benefits, it has also created risks. This contract represents a strategic effort to mitigate those risks and ensure that the US can meet its own medical needs in times of crisis.”

Ginkgo Bioworks: A Synthetic Biology Powerhouse

Ginkgo Bioworks, a publicly traded synthetic biology company, is known for its ‘foundry’ – a platform that engineers cells to produce a wide range of products, from cultured meat to sustainable fragrances. The company’s technology aims to reduce the time and cost associated with traditional biomanufacturing processes.

The company will partner with a consortium of established CDMOs (Contract Development and Manufacturing Organizations), including Advanced BioScience Laboratories (ABL), Isolere Bio by Donaldson, NeuImmune, and ProteoNic BV. This collaborative approach is designed to leverage the expertise of each partner and accelerate the development and scaling of antibody production.

“Ginkgo’s platform offers the potential to significantly improve the efficiency and scalability of biomanufacturing,” said an industry expert who wished to remain anonymous. “By engineering cells to produce antibodies more effectively, we can reduce costs and increase production capacity.”

The Cost of Innovation and Access to Medicines

While the contract is lauded as a positive step towards bolstering pandemic preparedness, some experts raise concerns about the cost of innovation and the potential impact on drug prices. Synthetic biology and other advanced manufacturing technologies can be expensive to develop and implement, which could translate into higher costs for patients.

“Innovation is essential, but it must be balanced with affordability,” said a healthcare economist who requested anonymity. “We need to ensure that these new technologies don’t exacerbate existing inequalities in access to healthcare.”

Another concern is the potential for exclusivity and limited competition. If only a few companies have the capacity to produce essential medicines, it could create a monopoly and drive up prices.

“It’s crucial to promote competition and prevent the creation of barriers to entry,” argued a patient advocate who wished to remain anonymous. “We need to ensure that life-saving medicines are accessible to everyone who needs them, regardless of their ability to pay.”

Looking Ahead

The $22.2 million contract with Ginkgo Bioworks is part of a larger effort to rebuild US biomanufacturing capacity and strengthen pandemic preparedness. Experts predict that this investment will lead to further innovation and collaboration in the biopharmaceutical industry.

The success of this project will depend on several factors, including the ability to scale up production, reduce costs, and ensure equitable access to medicines. The lessons learned from this initiative will be critical for shaping future investments in biomanufacturing and pandemic preparedness.

“This contract is a starting point,” concluded a government official familiar with the program, speaking on background. “We need to continue investing in research and development, fostering collaboration between industry and government, and building a resilient biomanufacturing ecosystem to protect against future health threats.”