BOSTON/SAN DIEGO - In a move to enhance global biosecurity, Concentric by Ginkgo, the biosecurity unit of Ginkgo Bioworks (NYSE: DNA), has announced a partnership with Illumina, Inc. (Nasdaq: NASDAQ:ILMN), a leader in DNA sequencing technology. The collaboration aims to expand a pathogen monitoring network, or "bioradar," to detect and respond to biological threats worldwide.
The agreement, announced today, will integrate Illumina's DNA sequencing instruments and software with Concentric's biosecurity programs. This initiative is designed to provide countries with the tools to identify and monitor pathogens, thereby strengthening national security and early warning systems in the face of potential pandemics and emerging biothreats.
Concentric's bioradar system is currently being scoped and hosted in over a dozen countries. The partnership with Illumina is expected to accelerate the expansion of this network and enhance genomic surveillance capabilities on a global scale.
Matt McKnight, General Manager for Biosecurity at Ginkgo Bioworks, emphasized the importance of early detection investments, stating that the collaboration is intended to bolster governmental efforts in modernizing defenses against biological threats.
Illumina's Vice President of Marketing, Luke Hickey, also highlighted the significance of the partnership, underscoring the company's commitment to empowering countries to protect citizens from infectious diseases with their sequencing solutions.
This collaboration is part of a broader effort by both companies to build local capacity for biosurveillance, aiming to equip nations with sustainable, in-house biosecurity rather than relying on external parties.
The partnership's success and the effectiveness of Ginkgo's biosecurity platform, however, are subject to a variety of factors, including market conditions, regulatory changes, and technological advancements within the industry.
This news is based on a press release statement from Ginkgo Bioworks.
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