Bayer and Ginkgo Bioworks create the Agricultural Biological Energy Plant

Bayer announced today that the company has sealed the previously announced transaction with Ginkgo Bioworks to begin a multi-year strategic partnership to accelerate the research and development of agricultural biologics.

The transaction includes the divestiture of Bayer West Sacramento Biologics' Research and Development site, and its leading internal discovery and optimization platform.

With the closing of this transaction, the Biologics business, which is part of Bayer's Crop Science Division, will also be able to further engage the open innovation ecosystem and build on its leading position as the partner of choice for innovators and scientists in Worldwide.

Joyn Bio, the joint venture created by Bayer and Ginkgo Bioworks in 2017, will be integrated into Ginkgo Bioworks to enable the continued advancement of Joyn Bio's innovative nitrogen fixation platform. As part of the agreement, Bayer retains the right to commercialize the technology to complement the use of synthetic fertilizers in the coming years.

Bayer is now the first major partner in Ginkgo Bioworks' expanded agricultural bioplatform, entering into a new collaboration focused on key programs in the areas of crop protection, nitrogen fixation and carbon sequestration to identify the next generation biologicals that deliver clear benefits to cultivators.

“Biological solutions play a key role in the agricultural innovation ecosystem, and we see a tremendous opportunity for these products to add even more value to agriculture in the future,” said Dr. Robert Reiter, Head of R&D, Crop Science Division from Bayer.

“The open innovation approach will accelerate the product pipeline and ensure we bring high-quality biologics solutions and innovative technologies to market faster.”

Ginkgo Bioworks aims to develop and advance agricultural microbial solutions across crops and geographies through broad, fully capable technical platforms that meet diverse market needs. Ginkgo Bioworks will work independently with different partners to discover microorganism-derived products for agriculture.

"Ginkgo is committed to harnessing the power of programmable biology to enable sustainable food production and food security around the world," said Jason Kelly, CEO and co-founder of Ginkgo Bioworks.

"We look forward to partnering with Bayer and other innovative companies, and bringing more applications to Ginkgo's expanded agricultural bioplatform so that growers around the world can develop innovative products."