Ginkgo Bioworks Buys Baktus’ Epidemic-Predicting Tools

Ginkgo Bioworks has announced the purchase of epidemiological data infrastructure assets from Delaware-based Baktus Inc. The assets include datasets, modeling and analytical tools, and a software platform that can be used to track, model, and predict the trajectory of epidemics. 

Ginkgo Bioworks

Founded in 2009 by MIT scientists, Ginkgo has made it its mission to help customers grow their own products by providing programmed microorganisms that can be customized to the client’s needs. The company has since diversified into data analysis and modeling of disease outbreaks, such as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, vaccine manufacturing optimization and therapeutics discovery. 

Ginkgo began trading on the New York Stock exchange under the ticker “DNA” last year, in a mega SPAC merger that gave the company a market cap of nearly $2.5 billion. 

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Using Data Tools To Fight Pandemics

Through its subsidiary Metabiota, Baktus has amassed a database of infectious disease outbreaks. The company has also developed analytic tools to help governments and partners assess the impact of pathogens, with the goal of promoting resilience against pandemics and epidemics. 

Now the data and tools are in Ginkgo’s hands. The company has indicated that it will integrate several ongoing epidemiological analysis projects into its biosecurity and public health initiative, Concentric. 

A biosecurity platform, Concentric operates across the US, providing COVID-19 monitoring programs and services to thousands of sites in the nation, including schools and airports. 

“Integrating state-of-the-art epidemiological modeling and predictive capabilities with our end-to-end biosecurity offerings will help us continue making the data we gather on pathogen spread and evolution that much more meaningful and actionable for public health leaders and communities,” said Matt McKnight, General Manager for Biosecurity at Ginkgo. 

“Our team has spent nearly a decade building epidemiological data and risk modeling tools for the public and private sector to more effectively quantify, mitigate and manage epidemic risk,” said Nita Madhav, outgoing CEO of Metabiota, who will be joining Ginkgo as part of the transaction. “Ginkgo’s biosecurity initiative is an ideal home for our data, analytics, and expertise, and we are very excited to join the Ginkgo team.”

Baktus and Metabiota are expected to continue their independent operations after transferring the related assets and epidemiological data personnel to Ginkgo.

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Joy Lin

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