Asimov
Asimov is a Boston-based synthetic biology company that builds AI-driven cell lines, genetic parts, and cloud-based design software for the manufacture of biologics, cell therapies, gene therapies, and RNA therapeutics, licensed to pharma, biotech, CDMO, and government customers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersBoston, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What Asimov does
Asimov is a Boston-based synthetic biology company founded in 2017 (incorporated 2016) that builds AI-driven tools for the design and manufacture of advanced therapeutics. The company offers an integrated platform combining engineered mammalian host cell lines, a library of over 1,000 experimentally validated genetic parts, and cloud-based computer-aided design software (Kernel) for programming living cells. Customers include top-10 pharmaceutical companies, mid-cap biotechs, contract development and manufacturing organizations (CDMOs), government agencies, and academic institutions.
The core product is a family of four modality-specific Edge platforms: CHO Edge for biologics/antibody production (8–12 g/L titers), LV Edge for lentiviral vectors (up to 1E9 TU/mL unconcentrated), AAV Edge for adeno-associated virus gene therapy vectors (up to 6E15 vg/L), and RNA Edge for RNA therapeutic candidates. These are underpinned by the Chrysalis transposase (a proprietary genome integration tool derived from multiple butterfly species), GMP-banked host cell lines with regulatory documentation, and AI models that combine deep learning, reinforcement learning, and mechanistic modeling on multi-omics data. The AI stack includes the CHO metabolic simulator (flux-balance analysis + neural networks), a tissue-specific promoter designer, and the Cello genetic circuit compiler.
Asimov generates revenue through three streams: technology licensing of its cell lines and software platforms, full-service cell line development performed at its Boston facility, and subscription-based platform access for partners performing development in-house. Distribution combines direct enterprise licensing (Novo Nordisk, Amgen, RevOpsis, Score Pharma, Ottimo Pharma, Mabylon AG) with channel partnerships through CDMOs (LOTTE Biologics, Center for Breakthrough Medicines, AGC Biologics, Cytiva) and a federal government program (BARDA BioMaP Consortium for medical countermeasures). Pricing is quote-based on multi-year contracts and not publicly disclosed. The company has raised over $200 million from Andreessen Horowitz, CPP Investments, Horizons Ventures, and Fidelity, and operates subsidiaries including Asimov Labs (research) and Asimov Press (publishing).
Asimov firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Asimov
- Legal name
- Asimov, Inc.
- Website
- https://asimov.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Asimov is a Boston-based synthetic biology company that builds AI-driven cell lines, genetic parts, and cloud-based design software for the manufacture of biologics, cell therapies, gene therapies, and RNA therapeutics, licensed to pharma, biotech, CDMO, and government customers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Asimov industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Synthetic Biology Platform
- NAICS
- Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Biological Product (except Diagnostic) Manufacturing (325414), Custom Computer Programming Services (541511)
- SIC
- Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836), Services-Computer Programming Services (7371)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Synthetic Biology & Genetic Circuit Design Platforms (pathway engineering, chassis development) (HLAAAIAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Viral Vector Manufacturing Services (AAV, lentiviral, adenoviral) (HLAAAKAD), RNA Therapeutics Platforms & Design (sequence design, target ID/validation, AI/bioinformatics) (HLAAADAG), AAV Vector Gene Therapy Developers (HLAAACAA)
Keywords
Where Asimov is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Boston
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Asimov business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Technology Licensing: Licensing of proprietary cell lines (CHO Edge, LV Edge, AAV Edge), genetic parts, and software platforms to pharma, biotech, and CDMO partners.
- Cell Line Development Services: Full-service cell line development performed by Asimov in their Boston facility, including clonal cell bank generation and process transfer.
- Platform Access: Software access and technical support for partners performing cell line development in-house using Asimov's platform.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Technology licensing and cell line development services |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
Asimov product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Asimov provides an integrated synthetic biology platform combining proprietary engineered mammalian cell lines (CHO Edge, LV Edge, AAV Edge, RNA Edge systems), a library of 1000+ validated genetic parts, and cloud-based CAD software (Kernel) that enables partners to design, simulate, and optimize genetic systems for therapeutic production. The company licenses these technology platforms and provides custom cell line development services to pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and CDMO partners for biologics, cell therapy, gene therapy, and RNA therapeutic manufacturing.
Product overview
Asimov offers an integrated suite of cells, genes, and software powered by AI-driven genetic design for advanced therapy development. The platform centers on four Edge expression systems—CHO Edge (biologics/antibodies at 8-12 g/L titers), LV Edge (lentiviral vectors up to 1E9 TU/mL), AAV Edge (gene therapy vectors up to 6E15 vg/L), and RNA Edge (RNA therapeutics)—supplemented by the proprietary Chrysalis transposase genome integration tool. These are underpinned by Kernel cloud-based CAD software for genetic design, a library of 1000+ validated genetic parts, and GMP-qualified host cell lines. The company also offers cell line development services, with recent expansions including CHO Edge Rapid Pools for high-throughput lead optimization and fully-stable producer cell line services for scalable biomanufacturing.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- CHO Edge System: AI-driven mammalian expression system for biologics/antibody production achieving 8-12 g/L titers
- LV Edge System
- AAV Edge System
- RNA Edge System
- Chrysalis Transposase
- Kernel
- CHO Edge Rapid Pools
Products and services
- CHO Edge System AI-driven expression system for biologics manufacturing using engineered CHO cells, consistently delivering titers of 8-12 g/L across modalities with integrated genetic tools and data-driven models. Licensed to pharma and biotech partners for antibody and biologics production.
- LV Edge System
Quantifiable outcome
- 8-12 g/L clonal titers for biologics production
- +7 more outcomes
Companies that use Asimov
Customer profileNamed customers12 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Asimov technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability8 records
Feature8 records
Asimov partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.
- Rosalind & Morris Goodman Cancer Institute at McGill UniversitycoreStrategic partnership to advance next-generation biologics through academic collaboration.
- Mabylon AGcoreLead optimization campaign to advance trispecific antibody for tree pollen allergies.
- Score PharmacoreCell line development partnership to advance biosuperior antibody therapeutics for cancer treatment. Score Pharma leverages Asimov's CHO Edge system for proof-of-concept studies on its biosuperior anti-HER2 trastuzumab for breast cancer.
- AGC BiologicscorePartnership to provide cost-effective, simplified, and secure manufacturing approach for viral vector production.
- AmgencorePartnership to optimize bispecific antibody expression using Asimov's platform.
- Ottimo PharmacoreCell line development partnership to accelerate cancer immunotherapy's path to clinic.
- BARDA BioMaP ConsortiumflagshipAgreement to advance production of medical countermeasures against Ebola and deadly viruses under the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority's Biomanufacturing Consortium.
- CytivacoreCollaboration on next-generation cell line design and process development for optimized biologics production.
- LOTTE BiologicscorePartnership for accelerated cell line development and scaling to GMP manufacturing. LOTTE Biologics offers end-to-end DNA to drug substance services within 8.5-month timelines from transfection to drug substance release, leveraging Asimov's cell line development platform.
- Novo NordiskflagshipNovo Nordisk licensed the CHO Edge System for biologics manufacturing.
- RevOpsis TherapeuticscoreLicensing agreement for high-titer multispecific-expressing cell line.
- MIT-Broad FoundryflagshipMIT-Broad Foundry team joined Asimov and rebranded as Asimov Labs. This brought high-throughput experimental capabilities and deep expertise in genetic design to accelerate the company's moonshot of solving genetic design.
- iGEMminorPartnership to support next generation of synthetic biologists. Asimov provides Kernel software access, manufactures and ships the iGEM Distribution Kit, offers genetic device characterization services, and provides a collection of mammalian genetic parts.
- Center for Breakthrough MedicinescoreCBM licensed Asimov's clonal GMP HEK293 suspension cell line for preclinical and clinical viral vector production. Platform designed to deliver high yields and higher throughput for cell and gene therapy clients.
- DARPAflagshipContract as part of DARPA's Automating Scientific Knowledge Extraction (ASKE) opportunity to develop a physics-based AI design engine for biology using multi-omics data, deep learning, reinforcement learning, and mechanistic modeling.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights7 records
Asimov competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- GenScript: GenScript's ProBio business offers cell line development, plasmid manufacturing, and biologics services. It is directly comparable to Asimov's cell line development services and CHO-based biomanufacturing offerings, at meaningfully larger scale.
- Cytiva: Cytiva is a global bioprocessing leader supplying cell culture media, instruments, and process development services. Asimov is both a partner (collaboration on next-generation cell line design) and a competitor for process development and cell line engineering work in biologics.
- Twist Bioscience: Twist provides DNA synthesis, antibody libraries, and synthetic biology tools widely used in therapeutic development. While Twist's offering is broader and DNA-centric, it overlaps with Asimov's design software and parts library in enabling genetic engineering workflows.
- Lonza: Lonza is the largest biologics CDMO with proprietary cell line platforms (e.g., GS Xceed) and end-to-end GMP manufacturing. Asimov partners with CDMOs but ultimately competes for the same high-titer cell line business that anchors Lonza's biologics services.
Regional players
- Culture Biosciences: Culture Biosciences provides cloud-based bioreactor services for fermentation and bioprocess development. It overlaps with Asimov's bioprocess optimization capabilities (e.g., CHO metabolic simulator) but focuses on microbial rather than mammalian systems.
Emerging players
- Cradle: Cradle applies generative AI to protein and biologics design, serving developers of therapeutic enzymes and antibodies. It overlaps with Asimov's AI-driven protein and genetic design focus, though with less emphasis on cell line engineering.
- Bota Bio: Bota Bio builds AI-driven biomanufacturing platforms using engineered microorganisms and computational design. It is comparable to Asimov's stack as an AI-native bioprocess platform, though Bota is earlier-stage and focused on different cell hosts.
- Codexis: Codexis applies directed evolution and computational protein engineering to develop biocatalysts and therapeutic proteins. It overlaps with Asimov in the AI/protein engineering space but addresses different application areas, primarily enzyme and biocatalyst optimization.
Direct peers
- ATUM: ATUM provides synthetic biology tools for protein engineering and cell line development, including transposase-based systems similar to Asimov's Chrysalis. Both companies sell tools and services that help therapeutic developers engineer high-titer mammalian cell lines.
- Ginkgo Bioworks: Ginkgo operates a synthetic biology platform that programs cells for industrial and therapeutic applications, including biomanufacturing. Asimov competes in the same AI-driven cell programming category with a tighter focus on therapeutic manufacturing.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Asimov social profiles
Digital presenceAsimov compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
Asimov financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Asimov leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
Asimov subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
Asimov funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds4 records
Investors11 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Asimov M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Asimov
What does Asimov do?
Asimov provides an integrated synthetic biology platform combining proprietary engineered mammalian cell lines (CHO Edge, LV Edge, AAV Edge, RNA Edge systems), a library of 1000+ validated genetic parts, and cloud-based CAD software (Kernel) that enables partners to design, simulate, and optimize genetic systems for therapeutic production. The company licenses these technology platforms and provides custom cell line development services to pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and CDMO partners for biologics, cell therapy, gene therapy, and RNA therapeutic manufacturing.
Is Asimov a public or private company?
Asimov is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Asimov founded?
Asimov was founded in 2016. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Asimov based?
Asimov is headquartered in Boston, United States, in the North America region.
How does Asimov make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Technology Licensing is the primary driver. The others are cell Line Development Services and platform Access.
Who are Asimov's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are GenScript, Cytiva, Twist Bioscience and Lonza. Culture Biosciences is listed as a regional player. Emerging players are Cradle, Bota Bio and Codexis. Direct peers are ATUM and Ginkgo Bioworks.
Does Asimov have an API?
No public API is recorded for Asimov.
What industry is Asimov in?
Asimov's product category is Synthetic Biology Platform. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAAAIAD, Synthetic Biology & Genetic Circuit Design Platforms (pathway engineering, chassis development), with a secondary code of HLAAAKAD, Viral Vector Manufacturing Services (AAV, lentiviral, adenoviral). Its NAICS code is 541714 and its SIC code is 8731.