Ginkgo Bioworks and Virica Biotech have announced a strategic partnership aimed at enhancing the manufacturing of adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene therapies.

This collaboration combines Ginkgo's innovative HEKMo cell line and plasmid engineering with Virica's Viral Sensitizer (VSE) platform to improve AAV production titers and quality.

As part of the partnership, Ginkgo will leverage its advanced screening platform to rapidly test Virica's proprietary VSEs in client cell lines.

Virica will contribute a panel of VSEs designed for high-throughput AAV production screening, which will optimize production efficiency for Ginkgo's clients.

The collaboration is expected to significantly reduce the high costs associated with AAV-based gene therapy manufacturing, thereby facilitating wider adoption of these therapies.

Ultimately, the combined efforts of both companies aim to make gene therapies more accessible to patients around the globe.

Jean-Simon Diallo, CEO of Virica, highlighted that this partnership enhances their ability to deliver effective VSE solutions to market more quickly.

Narendra Maheshri, VP of Genetic Medicines at Ginkgo, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, emphasizing the innovative solutions it brings to the field of gene therapy.