Foley Hoag LLP represented Ginkgo Bioworks (NYSE:
DNA)(“Ginkgo”), the leading platform for cell programming and biosecurity, in a new collaboration agreement with Merck focused on improving biologic manufacturing.
Ginkgo will apply its expertise and capabilities in cell engineering, ultra high-throughput multiplexed screening, protein characterization and process optimization to improve production efficiency and increase yields. Under the terms of the collaboration, Ginkgo is eligible to receive, in aggregate, up to $490 million in upfront research fees, research milestone fees, option license payments and commercial milestone payments.
Foley Hoag attorneys John Harre, Sarah Cooleybeck, Mark Potash and Siri Rao represented Ginkgo in the transaction.
This is the second collaboration between Ginkgo and Merck, both facilitated by Foley Hoag. In October 2022, the companies
announced a biocatalysis project to improve Merck's active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) manufacturing.
