On 7 August 2023 Gingko Bioworks and Merck announced a collaboration to improve biologic manufacturing. Gingko will “apply its expertise and capabilities in cell engineering, ultra high-throughput multiplexed screening, protein characterization and process optimization to improve” [Merck’s] “production efficiency and increase yield”. Merck will pay Gingko up to US$490M under the deal, including research fees, milestone fees and license payments.
This is the second collaboration between the companies, which announced a biocatalysis project to improve Merck’s active pharmaceutical ingredient manufacturing in October 2022.