Codex DNA
Codex DNA, operating as Telesis Bio, is a publicly traded synthetic biology company that sells automated BioXp DNA/mRNA synthesis systems, proprietary reagent kits, and Gibson SOLA enzyme-based DNA assembly technology to biotechnology and pharmaceutical customers for therapeutic discovery workflows.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2018
- HeadquartersSan Diego, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Codex DNA does
Codex DNA, operating commercially as Telesis Bio, is a synthetic biology company that develops automated platforms for on-site DNA and mRNA synthesis. Its core offering, the BioXp Platform, comprises benchtop (BioXp 3250) and high-throughput (BioXp 9600) synthesis systems paired with proprietary reagent kits covering mRNA synthesis, gene synthesis, DNA cloning, DNA amplification, library construction, and NGS library preparation. The Gibson SOLA Platform is an enzyme-based DNA assembly technology licensed to enterprise customers for internal rapid gene synthesis. The myBioXperience portal provides a secure cloud interface for sequence submission and order management. According to firmographic data, the company is publicly listed on NASDAQ (ticker DNAY), was founded in 2011, is headquartered in San Diego, California, and employs 101–250 people.
The company targets biotechnology and pharmaceutical customers, with named application areas in antibody drug discovery, cell and gene therapy, and vaccine development, as well as vaccine developers building mRNA candidates. Its value proposition is built on speed and control: the platform is positioned to reduce time to results by up to 90% versus traditional outsourcing and enable a 3-day sequence-to-result mRNA workflow, while retaining intellectual property and build timeline control on the customer side. Membership in the International Gene Synthesis Consortium signals compliance with biosecurity best practices relevant to gene synthesis procurement.
Telesis Bio monetizes through three streams: sale of BioXp hardware systems, recurring revenue from BioXp consumable kits tied to the installed base, and enterprise licensing of the Gibson SOLA technology. Distribution combines direct enterprise field sales, a self-service customer portal for consumables, OEM-style licensing to biopharma partners (notably Regeneron, signed May 2025), and a global distributor network. The company has historically supplemented organic growth with M&A, including the November 2021 acquisition of Eton Bioscience for $13 million, and a $25 million financing round in September 2019 led by Northpond Ventures.
Codex DNA firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Codex DNA
- Legal name
- Telesis Bio Inc.
- Website
- https://codexdna.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2018
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Codex DNA, operating as Telesis Bio, is a publicly traded synthetic biology company that sells automated BioXp DNA/mRNA synthesis systems, proprietary reagent kits, and Gibson SOLA enzyme-based DNA assembly technology to biotechnology and pharmaceutical customers for therapeutic discovery workflows.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Codex DNA industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Automated Synthetic Biology Instrumentation
- NAICS
- Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)
- SIC
- Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Synthetic Biology & Genetic Circuit Design Platforms (pathway engineering, chassis development) (HLAAAIAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Molecular Biology & Genomics Instruments (PCR/qPCR, Sequencing, Microarrays) (HLAGAIAF), Library & Diversity Generation Platforms (display libraries, DNA-encoded libraries for biologics, variant libraries) (HLAAAIAL)
Keywords
Where Codex DNA is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Diego
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
Codex DNA business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- BioXp Systems (Hardware): Sale of automated BioXp synthesis systems including BioXp 3250 and BioXp 9600 platforms for on-site biomolecule synthesis.
- BioXp Kits (Consumables): Recurring sales of proprietary reagent kits for mRNA synthesis, gene synthesis, DNA cloning, DNA amplification, and NGS library preparation. Consumable revenue from repeat orders.
- Gibson SOLA Licensing: Technology licensing agreements allowing partners to deploy Gibson SOLA technology for internal rapid DNA and gene synthesis capabilities.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Quote-based enterprise pricing for BioXp systems and consumables |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
Codex DNA product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Codex DNA (Telesis Bio) sells automated benchtop synthesis systems—the BioXp 3250 and 9600 platforms—alongside proprietary BioXp reagent kits for on-site DNA, mRNA, gene synthesis, DNA cloning, amplification, libraries, and NGS library preparation. It also licenses its Gibson SOLA enzymatic DNA assembly technology to biopharma enterprises for internal deployment. The offering enables biotechnology and pharmaceutical researchers to perform rapid, on-demand synthesis of biomolecules, reducing reliance on external CROs/outsourcing for therapeutic discovery workflows.
Product overview
Telesis Bio (formerly operating as Codex DNA) offers a platform-plus-modules architecture centered on two core product lines: the BioXp Platform and the Gibson SOLA Platform. The BioXp Platform consists of automated synthesis systems (BioXp 3250 System and BioXp 9600 system) that work with a suite of BioXp Kits for mRNA synthesis, gene synthesis, DNA cloning, DNA amplification, libraries, and NGS library preparation. The Gibson SOLA Platform provides rapid on-site DNA and gene synthesis capabilities for integration with standard lab automation. Both platforms are supported by the myBioXperience secure ordering portal. The company focuses on therapeutic discovery applications including antibody drug discovery, cell and gene therapy, and vaccine development, enabling researchers to reduce time to results by up to 90% compared to traditional outsourcing methods.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- BioXp Platform: Automated platform for synthesis of DNA, mRNA, and other biomolecules
- Gibson SOLA
- myBioXperience
Products and services
- BioXp 3250 System A benchtop automated synthesis system within the BioXp platform for DNA and mRNA production, designed for biotech and pharmaceutical researchers who need rapid, on-site synthesis of biomolecules for therapeutic discovery.
- BioXp 9600 System A higher-throughput automated synthesis system within the BioXp platform for larger-scale DNA and mRNA production, targeting enterprise biotech and pharmaceutical customers with greater volume requirements for therapeutic discovery workflows.
- BioXp Kits Proprietary consumable reagent kits designed for use on BioXp systems, covering mRNA synthesis, gene synthesis, DNA cloning, DNA amplification, library creation, and NGS library preparation. Sold as a recurring consumable line to researchers running BioXp workflows.
- Gibson SOLA Platform Enzyme-based DNA assembly technology that enables rapid, high-fidelity on-site gene synthesis and cloning, designed to integrate with standard lab automation. Licensed to biopharma enterprises such as Regeneron to provide internal rapid DNA and gene synthesis capabilities for therapeutic discovery.
Quantifiable outcome
- Up to 90% time reduction compared to traditional outsourcing methods
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Codex DNA
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Codex DNA technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Codex DNA partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- RegeneroncoreRegeneron has licensed the Gibson SOLA platform to enable rapid on-site DNA and gene synthesis capabilities for powering their therapeutic discovery pipeline. This licensing agreement represents a flagship enterprise customer adoption of the technology for internal deployment.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Codex DNA competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Twist Bioscience: Directly competes with Telesis Bio in synthetic DNA and gene synthesis, serving biotech and pharma with high-throughput synthesis platforms and oligo products. Highly overlapping customer base in antibody discovery and therapeutic R&D.
- DNA Script: Competes in enzymatic on-site DNA synthesis with the SYNTAX benchtop platform, directly addressing the same 'on-site, IP-controlled synthesis' pain point that Gibson SOLA targets.
- Synthego: Provides synthetic biology tools including engineered cells and gene synthesis services to therapeutic developers, overlapping with Telesis Bio's customer segments in cell/gene therapy and drug discovery.
Broad incumbents
- GenScript: Large incumbent offering gene synthesis services and products to biotech and pharma customers. Overlaps with Telesis Bio's gene synthesis and mRNA workflow offerings, though primarily via outsourced service model.
- Integrated DNA Technologies (IDT): Danaher-owned leader in oligonucleotide and gene synthesis, serving the same biotech/pharma customer base with synthetic nucleic acid products. Represents an entrenched incumbent in molecular biology consumables.
- Eurofins Genomics: Major provider of outsourced gene synthesis and molecular biology services globally. Competes for the same biotech/pharma workflow budgets that Telesis Bio aims to internalize via the BioXp platform.
- Thermo Fisher Scientific: Diversified life sciences tools giant offering instruments, reagents, and services across molecular biology and synthetic biology. Competes indirectly via broader portfolio including gene synthesis and nucleic acid workflow tools.
- Agilent Technologies: Major analytical instrument and genomics consumables provider. Overlaps with Telesis Bio in molecular biology instrumentation and oligo/NGS consumables serving biotech and pharma R&D.
Emerging players
- Molecular Assemblies: Pioneer in enzymatic DNA synthesis with a benchtop synthesis platform aimed at displacing outsourced gene synthesis. Direct technology competitor to Gibson SOLA's enzymatic synthesis approach.
- ATUM (now part of Inspirevet): Synthetic biology tools company offering gene synthesis and protein engineering services, with overlapping customer base in antibody discovery and therapeutic protein development.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Codex DNA social profiles
Digital presenceCodex DNA compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Codex DNA financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Codex DNA leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
Codex DNA funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors3 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Codex DNA M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A1 record
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Codex DNA
What does Codex DNA do?
Codex DNA (Telesis Bio) sells automated benchtop synthesis systems—the BioXp 3250 and 9600 platforms—alongside proprietary BioXp reagent kits for on-site DNA, mRNA, gene synthesis, DNA cloning, amplification, libraries, and NGS library preparation. It also licenses its Gibson SOLA enzymatic DNA assembly technology to biopharma enterprises for internal deployment. The offering enables biotechnology and pharmaceutical researchers to perform rapid, on-demand synthesis of biomolecules, reducing reliance on external CROs/outsourcing for therapeutic discovery workflows.
Is Codex DNA a public or private company?
Codex DNA is a private company. It is classified as public and is currently operating.
When was Codex DNA founded?
Codex DNA was founded in 2018. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Codex DNA based?
Codex DNA is headquartered in San Diego, United States, in the North America region.
How does Codex DNA make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. BioXp Systems (Hardware) is the primary driver. The others are bioXp Kits (Consumables) and gibson SOLA Licensing.
Who are Codex DNA's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Twist Bioscience, DNA Script and Synthego. Broad incumbents are GenScript, Integrated DNA Technologies (IDT), Eurofins Genomics, Thermo Fisher Scientific and Agilent Technologies. Emerging players are Molecular Assemblies and ATUM (now part of Inspirevet).
Does Codex DNA have an API?
No public API is recorded for Codex DNA.
What industry is Codex DNA in?
Codex DNA's product category is Automated Synthetic Biology Instrumentation. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAAAIAD, Synthetic Biology & Genetic Circuit Design Platforms (pathway engineering, chassis development), with a secondary code of HLAGAIAF, Molecular Biology & Genomics Instruments (PCR/qPCR, Sequencing, Microarrays). Its NAICS code is 334516 and its SIC code is 3826.