By Janet Kanters

Ginkgo Bioworks and Invaio Sciences have announced a collaboration to develop manufacturing technology for peptide-based agricultural products.

The partnership aims to create a microorganism capable of producing next-generation crop protection solutions at costs that are accessible to growers.

The collaboration addresses a pressing need in agriculture: combating pests that have developed resistance to conventional chemical treatments. Invaio Sciences, known for its nature-positive crop protection solutions, is leveraging its platform to discover and develop peptide-based alternatives that are both effective and affordable. By partnering with Ginkgo Bioworks, Invaio will gain access to advanced microbial strains and fermentation processes to scale up production.

“Ginkgo’s technology offers us a clear path to manufacturing our peptides at scale,” said Amy O’Shea, CEO of Invaio Sciences. “We are excited to partner with Ginkgo to develop much-needed next-generation crop protection solutions for persistent pests and diseases.”

The collaboration highlights Ginkgo’s expertise in optimizing microbial strains for industrial-scale fermentation. Using its autonomous lab infrastructure, including Reconfigurable Automation Carts (RACs) and Catalyst automation software, Ginkgo will refine its strains and processes to meet Invaio’s production goals.

“At Ginkgo, we understand the urgency for next-generation agricultural solutions that can support growers, consumers, and the planet,” said Jill Bradshaw, general manager of Ginkgo’s Microbial Solutions business unit. “We are excited to work alongside our partners at Invaio to deliver a manufacturing strain and process that allows them to continue to focus on the discovery of next-generation biological solutions important to crop protection.”

This partnership underscores Invaio’s commitment to providing scalable, cost-effective solutions that integrate seamlessly into growers’ existing practices. By combining Invaio’s innovative peptide-based crop protection products with Ginkgo’s cutting-edge microbial engineering capabilities, the collaboration aims to deliver solutions that benefit farmers, consumers, and the environment.

Both companies are leaders in their respective fields. Ginkgo Bioworks specializes in engineering biology to make it easier for scientists to develop new products, while Invaio Sciences focuses on nature-positive agricultural technologies that improve yields and sustainability.