Synthetic biology applies engineering principles to biological systems, driving advancements in medicine, agriculture, and industrial biotechnology. As of 2025, the number of synthetic biology companies in the United States has grown substantially, fueled by progress in DNA synthesis, genome editing, and biomanufacturing.
The global synthetic biology market is projected to exceed $50 billion by 2025, reflecting increasing investments and technological advancements in the field. This list highlights 20 innovative companies leading the way in this dynamic sector.
Here are 20 of the top innovative synthetic biology startups in the US chosen by us at Scispot:
Founded in 2008 and headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, Ginkgo Bioworks is one of the most well-known names in synthetic biology. The company specializes in custom organism design and bioengineering, using its advanced biofoundry to develop microbes tailored for pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and industrial manufacturing. By leveraging automation, artificial intelligence, and high-throughput screening, Ginkgo accelerates the development of engineered organisms that contribute to sustainable and efficient bioprocesses across multiple industries.
Founded in 2017 in Brisbane, California, Mammoth Biosciences is revolutionizing CRISPR-based diagnostics and gene editing. The company’s proprietary detector platform leverages CRISPR to create rapid, accurate, and accessible disease diagnostics. In addition to diagnostics, Mammoth is expanding into therapeutic applications, aiming to develop gene-editing solutions for precision medicine. Their technology has broad applications in infectious disease detection, oncology, and genetic disorder treatments.
Tessera Therapeutics, based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, was founded in 2018 and is pioneering RNA-based gene writing. Unlike traditional gene-editing technologies, gene writing enables precise DNA modifications without cutting, offering a safer and more targeted approach to genome engineering. This next-generation genetic medicine has vast potential in treating genetic diseases, regenerative medicine, and engineered cell therapies.
Asimov, headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, was founded in 2017 and focuses on mammalian synthetic biology and gene circuit engineering. The company is building an advanced genetic circuit programming platform to control gene expression in mammalian cells. This allows for the development of programmable cell therapies, advanced biologics, and gene regulation systems, significantly advancing biotechnology and synthetic biology-based drug discovery.
Sherlock Biosciences, established in 2019 in Watertown, Massachusetts, is a leading developer of CRISPR-based molecular diagnostics. The company’s SHERLOCK™ and INSPECTR™ platforms allow for rapid and accurate detection of pathogens, genetic disorders, and biomarkers. These tools enhance accessibility and affordability in molecular diagnostics, providing healthcare solutions for point-of-care testing, pandemic preparedness, and decentralized diagnostics.
Founded in 2021 and based in San Francisco, California, Pando Biosciences integrates machine learning and synthetic biology to accelerate enzyme discovery and optimization. Their platform enhances the development of biocatalysts for pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and industrial bioprocessing, making processes more sustainable and efficient. By using AI-driven modeling, Pando’s approach reduces the time and costs required for enzyme engineering.
Founded in 2018 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Volta Labs has developed a digital fluidics platform that automates sample preparation for genomic and molecular biology applications. Their technology improves efficiency, reproducibility, and data accuracy in research laboratories. By enabling automated liquid handling, Volta Labs simplifies next-generation sequencing (NGS), CRISPR workflows, and synthetic biology applications.
Founded in 2012 and headquartered in Menlo Park, California, Synthego is a leader in genome engineering solutions. The company offers synthetic RNA, CRISPR reagents, and AI-driven bioinformatics tools, facilitating precise and scalable genome editing. By providing high-throughput gene-editing capabilities, Synthego is helping researchers accelerate therapeutic development, functional genomics, and synthetic biology innovations.
Locus Biosciences, based in Morrisville, North Carolina, was founded in 2015 and is at the forefront of CRISPR-based bacterial therapeutics. The company specializes in engineered bacteriophages that selectively target and eliminate antibiotic-resistant bacteria, offering a novel approach to treating multi-drug-resistant infections. This CRISPR-Cas3 technology has the potential to revolutionize how bacterial infections are treated, reducing reliance on broad-spectrum antibiotics.
Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Berkeley, California, Pivot Bio is transforming agriculture through microbial nitrogen fixation. Their engineered microbes naturally fix nitrogen in soil, reducing reliance on synthetic fertilizers. By improving soil health and crop resilience, Pivot Bio helps farmers enhance yields while reducing environmental impact, making agriculture more sustainable.
Founded in 2015 and based in San Leandro, California, Geltor focuses on animal-free protein production for use in cosmetics, nutraceuticals, and food products. Using precision fermentation, Geltor creates bioidentical proteins without requiring animal-derived ingredients. Their sustainable protein solutions have gained adoption in skincare, alternative collagen production, and dietary supplements, making them a leader in ethical and bio-based protein manufacturing.
Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Berkeley, California, Perfect Day is pioneering animal-free dairy proteins using precision fermentation. Their proteins are nutritionally equivalent to those found in cow’s milk but lactose-free, antibiotic-free, and environmentally sustainable. Perfect Day has partnered with food and beverage brands to create dairy-free ice cream, cheese, and protein powders, driving the future of sustainable food production.
Arzeda, founded in 2008 and based in Seattle, Washington, specializes in computational protein design and enzyme engineering. By combining AI-driven modeling and synthetic biology, Arzeda develops customized enzymes for industrial applications. Their technology has been applied in biodegradable plastics, agricultural crop enhancement, and sustainable chemical production, reducing the reliance on petroleum-based products.
Founded in 2011 and based in Berkeley, California, Caribou Biosciences is a leader in CRISPR-based genome editing for therapeutics. Their precision gene-editing platform is advancing treatments for oncology and immune disorders, with applications in CAR-T cell therapies, regenerative medicine, and rare genetic disease treatments. Caribou’s innovations have made them a major player in gene therapy advancements.
Twist Bioscience, based in South San Francisco, California, was founded in 2013 and has become a major player in the DNA synthesis industry. The company employs a silicon-based DNA synthesis process, enabling scalable and cost-effective production of synthetic DNA. This technology supports research in gene therapy, precision medicine, and synthetic biology applications, allowing researchers to develop novel biomolecules and advance genetic engineering at an unprecedented pace.
Founded in 2010 and based in Berkeley, California, Lygos engineers microbial strains to produce bio-based specialty chemicals as alternatives to petroleum-based ingredients. Their synthetic biology platform enables the sustainable production of organic acids and specialty chemicals used in agriculture, personal care, and industrial manufacturing. Lygos focuses on low-carbon, non-toxic alternatives to conventional chemical synthesis.
Zymochem, founded in 2017 and headquartered in San Leandro, California, is focused on carbon-efficient biomanufacturing. Their engineered microbes prevent carbon loss during fermentation, enabling the production of bio-based materials, biodegradable plastics, and green chemicals. Their approach reduces CO₂ emissions while creating high-value, sustainable bioproducts for industrial applications.
Founded in 2015 and based in Boulder, Colorado, Inscripta develops next-generation genome editing technology that allows for precise and automated DNA modifications. Their Onyx™ digital genome engineering platform enables researchers to edit microbial genomes at an unprecedented scale, accelerating biomanufacturing and synthetic biology research. Inscripta’s technology is critical for advancing custom enzyme development, metabolic engineering, and industrial biotechnology.
Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Alameda, California, Checkerspot applies synthetic biology to materials science, developing bio-based materials for sports equipment, textiles, and personal care products. Their engineered microalgae-derived oils serve as sustainable replacements for petroleum-based polyurethanes and chemicals, helping industries transition toward eco-friendly materials.
A division of Ginkgo Bioworks, Ginkgo Enzymes was launched to specialize in custom enzyme discovery and development. Using AI-driven screening and synthetic biology, Ginkgo Enzymes creates highly efficient biocatalysts for applications in biopharma, food processing, and industrial chemical production. Their high-throughput enzyme engineering accelerates biomanufacturing efficiency across multiple sectors.
Why Synthetic Biology Companies Should Choose Scispot as Their Lab Software
As synthetic biology research becomes increasingly data-driven, managing lab automation, reproducibility, and compliance is critical for biotech companies. Scispot’s Lab Operating System (LabOSᵀᴹ) is designed to support synthetic biology companies, helping them streamline data workflows, inventory tracking, and collaboration in a unified digital platform.
Key Benefits of Scispot:
- Automated Data Management: Centralizes experimental data, ensuring better reproducibility and reducing errors.
- AI-Powered Workflow Automation: Speeds up experiment planning, sample tracking, and regulatory documentation.
- Compliance & Security: Built-in adherence to ISO, HIPAA, CAP, and GDPR standards, keeping data secure and audit-ready.
- Scalability & Integrations: Seamlessly connects with lab instruments, cloud databases, and external bioinformatics tools, allowing biotech companies to scale operations effortlessly.
By integrating Scispot’s LabOSᵀᴹ, synthetic biology startups and enterprises can focus on breakthrough research while automating their lab processes efficiently.
Conclusion
The synthetic biology sector is growing rapidly, driven by advancements in genome engineering, sustainable biomanufacturing, and molecular diagnostics. These 20 innovative companies are at the forefront of transforming industries ranging from biopharma to materials science and agriculture.
As research complexity increases, digital lab platforms like Scispot will play a crucial role in enabling biotech companies to accelerate discoveries, maintain compliance, and scale their operations. The future of synthetic biology is being shaped by automation, data-driven insights, and AI-powered lab systems, paving the way for sustainable and innovative biotech solutions.
