Synthego
Synthego is a Redwood City-based genome engineering tools company that supplies synthetic sgRNA, proprietary engineered nucleases (eSpOT-ON, hfCas12Max, AccuBase), and GMP-grade reagents to therapeutic developers, academic labs, and industrial biotech customers worldwide.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2012
- HeadquartersRedwood City, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Synthego does
Synthego is a genome engineering tools company that designs, manufactures, and supplies synthetic sgRNA and engineered CRISPR nucleases to therapeutic developers, academic researchers, and industrial biotechnology customers. Its core product lines include synthetic sgRNA, proprietary nucleases such as eSpOT-ON (a high-fidelity SpCas9 reported to reduce off-target activity), hfCas12Max, AccuBase, and a growing catalog of GMP-grade reagents (including GMP SpCas9) plus molecular biology enzymes (T7 RNA Polymerase, RNase Inhibitor) and high-performance molecular reagents. Manufacturing is supported by the HALO synthesis platform, which automates production and reportedly eliminates HPLC purification, enabling high-throughput sgRNA manufacturing at scale (2M+ gRNA units delivered, 200+ clinical batches, 14 INDs cleared to date).
The company operates a hybrid go-to-market model: direct e-commerce for research-use reagents to a long-tail customer base, distribution partnerships in 17+ countries, and enterprise/licensing agreements with therapeutic developers for proprietary nucleases (e.g., AstraZeneca for eSpOT-ON, Vita Therapeutics for hfCas12Max). Quality systems include cGMP, ISO 13485, and ISO 9001 certifications supporting clinical and regulated use. Following a Chapter 11 filing in May 2025, Synthego was acquired by Perceptive Advisors in July 2025 and has subsequently pivoted toward diagnostic reagents (biotechrabbit partnership, January 2026) and additional nuclease product launches (AccuBase with Kactus, November 2025). The company is headquartered in Redwood City, California, was founded in 2012 by Paul and Michael Dabrowski, and operates with approximately 101–250 employees.
Synthego firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Synthego
- Legal name
- Synthego Holdings LLC
- Website
- https://synthego.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2012
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Synthego is a Redwood City-based genome engineering tools company that supplies synthetic sgRNA, proprietary engineered nucleases (eSpOT-ON, hfCas12Max, AccuBase), and GMP-grade reagents to therapeutic developers, academic labs, and industrial biotech customers worldwide.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Synthego industry classification
Industry- Product category
- CRISPR Gene Editing Reagents
- NAICS
- Biological Product (except Diagnostic) Manufacturing (325414), In-Vitro Diagnostic Substance Manufacturing (325413), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)
- SIC
- Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836), In Vitro & In Vivo Diagnostic Substances (2835)
- akta.pro primary industry
- CRISPR & Functional Genomics Screening Platforms (pooled/arrayed screens, perturb-seq) (HLAAAIAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Plasmid DNA & mRNA Manufacturing Services (HLAAAKAE), RNA Manufacturing & CMC (oligo synthesis, IVT, purification, formulation, QC) (HLAAADAF), mRNA & Nucleic Acid Manufacturing Services (mRNA/saRNA/Plasmid DNA) (HLAGAGAC)
Keywords
Where Synthego is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Redwood City
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Synthego business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- CRISPR Research Products: Sale of synthetic sgRNA, nucleases (SpCas9, hfCas12Max, eSpOT-ON), and base editors for research use applications. Products sold directly through e-commerce and distributors.
- GMP Manufacturing Services: cGMP manufacturing of sgRNA and nucleases for clinical and therapeutic applications with regulatory documentation support including Drug Master Files for IND submissions
- Molecular Diagnostics Reagents: Entry into molecular and clinical diagnostic reagents market including isothermal amplification (RPA, LAMP), PCR/RT enzymes, IVT enzymes, and sample preparation products
- Technology Licensing: Licensing of proprietary nucleases (hfCas12Max, eSpOT-ON) to pharmaceutical and biotech companies for therapeutic development with sublicensing rights
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Research Use Only (RUO) products available for online purchase with standard pricing |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Multi-year contract | GMP/Clinical grade products require quotation and custom manufacturing agreements |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
Synthego product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Synthego manufactures and sells CRISPR-based genome engineering products including synthetic single guide RNAs (sgRNAs), engineered nucleases (SpCas9, hfCas12Max, eSpOT-ON, AccuBase), and molecular biology reagents such as IVT enzymes and isothermal amplification kits. The company also provides cGMP manufacturing of clinical-grade CRISPR reagents and regulatory expertise services supporting IND submissions for cell and gene therapy developers. Offerings span Research Use Only products sold through e-commerce, GMP-grade products for therapeutic development, and molecular diagnostics reagents manufactured in partnership with biotechrabbit GmbH.
Product overview
Synthego offers a comprehensive CRISPR and molecular biology portfolio organized across three product pillars: (1) CRISPR Gene Editing products including Research Use Only synthetic sgRNAs, engineered nucleases (eSpOT-ON, hfCas12Max), and the AccuBase cytosine base editor; (2) GMP Manufacturing solutions comprising GMP-grade sgRNA, GMP SpCas9, and GMP AccuBase for clinical cell and gene therapy development; and (3) Molecular Biology products spanning IVT enzymes (T7 Polymerase, RNase Inhibitor), isothermal amplification reagents (RPA), PCR/RT enzymes, and cell-free protein expression kits. The company supports these products with software tools including the CRISPR Design Tool for guide RNA design and ICE CRISPR Analysis Tool for editing validation, plus Regulatory Expertise services for IND submissions. Synthego has supported over 14 IND clearances and completed more than 200 clinical sgRNA batches.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Research sgRNA (Synthetic Guide RNA) Chemically modified synthetic single guide RNAs for CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing experiments, designed for high purity and editing efficiency without requiring HPLC purification. Sold directly through e-commerce for life science researchers.
- eSpOT-ON Nuclease Protein Engineered high-fidelity Cas9 variant (ePsCas9) delivered as recombinant protein, designed for therapeutic gene editing with high on-target activity and low off-target effects. Licensed from AstraZeneca.
- eSpOT-ON Nuclease mRNA Engineered high-fidelity Cas9 variant delivered in mRNA format for expression in cells, supporting cell and gene therapy development with high fidelity and low off-target effects. Licensed from AstraZeneca.
- hfCas12Max Nuclease Protein High-fidelity Cas12 nuclease variant engineered for therapeutic gene editing, offering broad PAM recognition, high specificity, small size, and effectiveness across various cell types. Exclusively licensed from Huidagene.
- hfCas12Max Nuclease mRNA High-fidelity Cas12 nuclease variant delivered as mRNA for therapeutic gene editing applications requiring precision and flexibility.
- AccuBase Cytosine Base Editor Engineered cytosine base editor (CBE) that eliminates double-strand breaks for safer CRISPR-based therapeutics, available in research-grade and GMP formats with near-zero off-target effects. Developed in partnership with Kactus Biosciences and Base Therapeutics.
- Research SpCas9 Protein Wild-type SpCas9 nuclease protein for CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing research applications.
- Research SpCas9 mRNA SpCas9 nuclease delivered as mRNA for research genome editing applications.
- GMP sgRNA Good Manufacturing Practice-grade single guide RNAs for use in CRISPR-based cell and gene therapies, with regulatory support and quality documentation including Drug Master Files for IND submissions.
- GMP SpCas9 GMP-grade SpCas9 nuclease produced under certified cGMP manufacturing standards, designed for clinical research and therapeutic development.
- GMP AccuBase GMP-grade cytosine base editor for clinical cell and gene therapy applications requiring high-fidelity base editing.
- Custom Nuclease Manufacturing Custom CRISPR gene editors available in mRNA or protein formats for clinical applications, manufactured under GMP conditions.
- T7 RNA Polymerase Engineered T7 RNA polymerase for in vitro transcription applications, generating high yields of RNA for mRNA therapeutics and CRISPR guide RNA synthesis.
- RNase Inhibitor RNase inhibitor enzyme for in vitro transcription and RNA research applications, protecting RNA from degradation during synthesis.
- RPA Endpoint Kit Recombinase Polymerase Amplification kit for reliable DNA amplification with endpoint detection, delivering results in minutes for molecular diagnostics applications.
- Isothermal Amplification Products Reagents for isothermal nucleic acid amplification methods including RPA and LAMP, designed for molecular diagnostics workflows requiring rapid, field-deployable testing.
- PCR & RT Enzymes & Products PCR and reverse transcription enzymes and products for molecular biology and clinical diagnostics applications.
- Cell-Free Protein Expression Kit Rapid, high-yield protein production in a controlled, scalable system without the need for live cells, for research and therapeutic development applications.
- Sample Preparation & Processing Reagents and products for nucleic acid preparation and processing for molecular diagnostics applications.
- Regulatory Expertise Services Regulatory guidance and expert support for CRISPR-based therapies, including IND submission assistance, strategic regulatory advice, and proactive regulatory intelligence.
Quantifiable outcome
- 14 INDs cleared using Synthego GMP products
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Synthego
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Synthego technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability4 records
Feature8 records
Synthego partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered major, flagship and minor.
- biotechrabbit GmbHmajorCollaboration for manufacturing molecular biology and clinical diagnostic reagents. biotechrabbit manufactures enzymes for Synthego's diagnostic reagent portfolio including products for nucleic acid amplification, detection, and quality control under ISO 13485 and ISO 9001 quality systems.
- Kactus BiosciencesmajorPartnership to commercialize AccuBase, a Cas-embedded cytosine base editor with near-zero off-target effects. Kactus manufactures the product while Synthego commercializes and distributes. AccuBase embeds deaminase enzymes within Cas9 protein to reduce off-target activity while maintaining high on-target efficiency.
- Vita TherapeuticsmajorStrategic nonexclusive licensing agreement granting Vita Therapeutics access to Synthego's high-fidelity hfCas12Max CRISPR system for therapeutic applications including preclinical and clinical programs for neuromuscular disorders. Synthego's goal is to reduce upfront licensing fees to make CRISPR solutions more accessible.
- AstraZenecaflagshipStrategic licensing agreement where Synthego received exclusive global rights to manufacture and distribute AstraZeneca's CRISPR gene editing enzyme eSpOT-ON, including exclusive commercialization and sublicensing rights for therapeutic and commercial use. Partnership combines AstraZeneca's nuclease technology with Synthego's gRNA and regulatory expertise.
- EditCominorReferral partnership for Engineered Cells, Gene Knockout Kits, and Arrayed Screening Libraries. Synthego directs customers to EditCo for these specific products while maintaining separate operations and support.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Synthego competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- IDT (Integrated DNA Technologies): IDT is a leading manufacturer of custom oligonucleotides including sgRNAs and CRISPR reagents, directly competing with Synthego's research and GMP sgRNA lines across academic, biotech, and therapeutic customers globally.
- EditCo Bio: EditCo is a direct competitor in synthetic sgRNAs and engineered cells, and is also a Synthego referral partner for GKO kits and arrayed screening libraries — overlapping on CRISPR reagent manufacturing and gene knockout services.
- Twist Bioscience: Twist Bioscience manufactures synthetic DNA and sgRNA libraries at scale using a silicon-based DNA synthesis platform, competing directly with Synthego's synthetic sgRNA and arrayed library offerings for research and functional genomics.
- GenScript: GenScript provides custom gene synthesis, sgRNA manufacturing, and CRISPR-related services through its life-science reagents business, overlapping with Synthego's research and cell therapy reagent offerings.
- Aldevron: Aldevron manufactures GMP-grade plasmids, proteins, and nucleic acids used in cell and gene therapy manufacturing, overlapping with Synthego's GMP sgRNA and nuclease manufacturing business for clinical-stage customers.
Broad incumbents
- Thermo Fisher Scientific: Thermo Fisher offers CRISPR reagents through its GeneArt and other product lines and bundles them into broader gene editing and cell therapy workflows, competing with Synthego as a broad incumbent across research and GMP cell therapy manufacturing.
- Horizon Discovery (Revvity): Horizon (now part of Revvity) provides CRISPR reagents and cell line engineering services through its gene editing portfolio, competing with Synthego's offerings within a broader life sciences and diagnostics portfolio.
Emerging players
- Beam Therapeutics: Beam is a clinical-stage developer of base editing therapeutics — directly competing with AccuBase as a cytosine base editing technology and a potential customer/partner for Synthego's nuclease and base editor reagents.
- Intellia Therapeutics: Intellia develops in vivo CRISPR/Cas9 therapeutics and is both a potential customer for Synthego's GMP CRISPR reagents and a competing technology platform pushing the frontier of therapeutic gene editing.
- Codexis: Codexis engineers proteins and enzymes for therapeutic and molecular biology applications, with overlap on Synthego's engineered nuclease (eSpOT-ON, hfCas12Max) and IVT enzyme portfolios, particularly in protein engineering for high-fidelity variants.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Synthego social profiles
Digital presenceSynthego compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
Synthego financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Synthego leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Synthego funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds9 records
Investors25 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Synthego 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 Synthego
What does Synthego do?
Synthego manufactures and sells CRISPR-based genome engineering products including synthetic single guide RNAs (sgRNAs), engineered nucleases (SpCas9, hfCas12Max, eSpOT-ON, AccuBase), and molecular biology reagents such as IVT enzymes and isothermal amplification kits. The company also provides cGMP manufacturing of clinical-grade CRISPR reagents and regulatory expertise services supporting IND submissions for cell and gene therapy developers. Offerings span Research Use Only products sold through e-commerce, GMP-grade products for therapeutic development, and molecular diagnostics reagents manufactured in partnership with biotechrabbit GmbH.
Is Synthego a public or private company?
Synthego is a private company. It is classified as private equity controlled and is currently operating.
When was Synthego founded?
Synthego was founded in 2012. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Synthego based?
Synthego is headquartered in Redwood City, United States, in the North America region.
How does Synthego make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. CRISPR Research Products are the primary driver. The others are GMP Manufacturing Services, molecular Diagnostics Reagents and technology Licensing.
Who are Synthego's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are IDT (Integrated DNA Technologies), EditCo Bio, Twist Bioscience, GenScript and Aldevron. Broad incumbents are Thermo Fisher Scientific and Horizon Discovery (Revvity). Emerging players are Beam Therapeutics, Intellia Therapeutics and Codexis.
Does Synthego have an API?
No public API is recorded for Synthego.
What industry is Synthego in?
Synthego's product category is CRISPR Gene Editing Reagents. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAAAIAG, CRISPR & Functional Genomics Screening Platforms (pooled/arrayed screens, perturb-seq), with a secondary code of HLAAAKAE, Plasmid DNA & mRNA Manufacturing Services. Its NAICS code is 325414 and its SIC code is 2836.