Constructive Bio, a synthetic genomics startup that rewrites the genome to build the biomolecules of the future, has secured $58 million in the first close of its Series A financing. This brings the total amount raised by the company to date to $75 million.
The round was led by Ahren (which invested in Zoe and Sunfire), OMX Ventures, and Paladin Capital Group with participation from Fine Structure Ventures, +ND Capital, and Abcam-founder Jonathan Milner.
The investment will be used to further develop Constructive Bio’s groundbreaking technology that creates entirely new biomolecules. In addition to this, Nobel Prize winner and biotech entrepreneur Sir Gregory Winter will join the board as a representative of Ahren, bringing his world-leading expertise and experience in the sector to support the company’s growth.
Turns living cells into biofactories
Constructive Bio was founded in 2022 as a spinout from the lab of founder Jason Chin at the University of Cambridge and is led by CEO Ola Wlodek. It has developed technology that turns living cells into biofactories, creating sustainable new materials and therapeutics. Through genome synthesis, the company can write entire custom genomes with full control of the genetic sequence and code. By engineering protein translation, it can create and manufacture entirely new molecules with novel properties and functions.
The company is rapidly advancing its technologies to develop new therapeutics and synthesise these and existing pharmaceuticals at scale. Since its debut, the company has unlocked the commercial potential of its proprietary platforms by optimising its synthetic organisms and demonstrating the scalable production of multi-functionalised proteins at commercial titres.
Constructive Bio now has the capacity to bring new products and manufacturing methods to sectors including pharmaceuticals, chemicals, materials and consumer goods.
Professor Jason Chin, CSO and founder of Constructive Bio, said: “Constructive Bio is the only company that can turn living cells into sustainable biofactories in which we can programme the sequence, composition and chemistry of proteins, and new biopolymers. We have the best technology and an unmatched synergy across our three foundational platforms: deeply recoded synthetic genomes, engineered cellular machinery, and new chemistry. With additional funding we are accelerating genome synthesis and design from years to days, more rapidly engineering cells’ machinery to make molecules with extra building blocks, and expanding the chemistry we can programme into molecules.”
“Synthetic genomics is redefining how we harness biology. Our suite of proprietary technologies and incomparable team allows us to build novel materials and products that will revolutionise drug manufacturing and discovery,” said Ola Wlodek, CEO at Constructive Bio. “This financing will enable us to accelerate bringing breakthrough products and platforms to market, which will grow our revenue through existing and new paths, ranging from exciting therapeutics to sustainable biomaterials. We see the future of biology, and we’re leading the charge.”
Investors’ views
Sir Gregory Winter, Ahren Science Partner and board member of Constructive Bio, said: “With this investment, we aim to develop Constructive Bio’s technology to deliver biomanufacturing at scale. By providing a biological, cost-effective production process, we can help overcome shortfalls in global supplies of therapeutic peptides and proteins such as semaglutide.”
Paul Conley, Managing Director at Paladin Capital Group and CEO of General Inception, a deep tech venture studio which has supported Constructive Bio since its foundation and serves on Constructive Bio’s board, said: “It has been amazing to witness the evolution of Constructive Bio’s truly unique bioengineering and biomanufacturing platform technologies. We are honoured to be backing this impressive team as they move swiftly to realise the full potential of the technology with breakthrough medicines, enzymes and biomaterials in the future.”
Shyam Kamadolli, Managing Director of Fine Structure Ventures, said: “Constructive Bio has cutting-edge technology with exceptional near- and long-term potential. It couples groundbreaking innovation with multiple distinct routes to market, and is set to revolutionise the sustainable biomanufacturing of new products across industries.”
