What Synplogen does

Synplogen Co., Ltd. (株式会社シンプロジェン) is a privately held Japanese synthetic biology company founded in February 2017 as a spinout from Kobe University's Graduate School of Science, Technology and Innovation and headquartered at the Kobe Biomedical Innovation Cluster on Port Island. The company provides custom DNA synthesis, DNA library construction, and integrated gene therapy development services to pharmaceutical companies and drug discovery startups, with a stated worldwide distribution model executed through direct B2B engagement and inquiry-based custom quoting.

The company's differentiator is its proprietary OGAB™ (Ordered Gene Assembly in Bacillus subtilis) method, described in company materials as the only DNA synthesis technology in the world that uses Bacillus subtilis. OGAB™ can assemble 50+ DNA fragments to synthesize long-chain DNA from a few kb to more than 100 kb, with reported success on more than 500 DNA types and an ability to handle difficult sequences (extreme GC/AT content, repeat regions, and sequences unclonable in E. coli). Building on OGAB™, Synplogen has developed Combinatorial-OGAB™ (Combi-OGAB™) for thousands-to-tens-of-thousands-pattern DNA library construction, and the All-in-One Plasmid™ technology, which collapses AAV vector production into a single transfection instead of the conventional triple-transfection method.

Revenue is generated through four streams: DNA synthesis services, DNA library construction services, Gene Therapy Biofoundry™ services spanning sequence design, cell line development, process scale-up, and analytical QC for viral vectors (AAV/LV) and mRNA, and technology licensing (including All-in-One Plasmid™) supported by feasibility studies. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. Strategic co-development partnerships signed in December 2022 with MicroBiopharm Japan (plasmid DNA manufacturing process development and GMP technology transfer) and Merck Japan (viral vector manufacturing process development and GMP transfer) extend the offering into a one-stop gene therapy development-to-GMP value chain. The board includes institutional investors JAFCO, Mizuho Financial Group, and Sojitz Corporation alongside founder Kenji Tsuge and an executive team led by Representative Director Kazuhiko Yamamoto.

Name

Synplogen

Legal name

株式会社シンプロジェン

Website

https://synplogen.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Synplogen is a Kobe, Japan-based synthetic biology company that provides custom long-chain DNA synthesis, DNA library construction, and integrated Gene Therapy Biofoundry services to pharmaceutical firms and drug discovery startups using its proprietary Bacillus subtilis OGAB™ method.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Synthetic Biology Services / DNA Synthesis & Gene Therapy Biofoundry

NAICS

Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Synthetic Biology & Genetic Circuit Design Platforms (pathway engineering, chassis development) (HLAAAIAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

mRNA & Nucleic Acid Manufacturing Services (mRNA/saRNA/Plasmid DNA) (HLAGAGAC), Plasmid DNA & mRNA Manufacturing Services (HLAAAKAE), Gene Therapy Regulatory, Pharmacovigilance & Clinical Operations Services (HLAAACAM)

Keywords

• DNA synthesis services
• Gene therapy biofoundry
• Synthetic biology
• DNA library construction
• Plasmid DNA production

Headquarters

HQ city

Kobe

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. DNA Synthesis Services: Custom DNA synthesis services using OGAB™ technology for synthesizing long-chain DNA (few kb to over 100 kb), difficult sequences with high/low GC content, repeat sequences, and DNA that cannot be cloned in E. coli. Services include synthesis, cloning, and optional purification and quality testing.
2. DNA Library Construction Services: Combinatorial-OGAB™ (Combi-OGAB™) services for designing and constructing large-scale, diverse DNA libraries tailored to client needs for applications including viral vector development and enzyme optimization.
3. Gene Therapy Biofoundry Services: Comprehensive services for gene therapy product development including sequence design, cell line development, process development (scale-up), and analytical development and quality control for viral vectors and mRNA medicines.
4. Technology Licensing: Out-licensing of proprietary technologies including All-in-One Plasmid™ and supporting feasibility studies for technology transfer.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

Synplogen provides custom DNA synthesis and DNA library construction services using its proprietary OGAB™ (Bacillus subtilis–based) and Combinatorial-OGAB™ methods, capable of producing long-chain DNA (a few kb to 100+ kb) and difficult sequences not clonable in E. coli. Building on this platform, the company offers an integrated Gene Therapy Biofoundry™ service for viral vectors (AAV, LV) and mRNA medicines covering sequence design, cell line development, process scale-up, and analytical/quality control. All synthesis is performed in-house at its Kobe, Japan R&D center.

Product overview

Synplogen offers a portfolio of proprietary DNA synthesis technologies and gene therapy services. The core technology platform consists of OGAB™ for long-chain DNA synthesis (up to 100+ kb), Combinatorial-OGAB™ (Combi-OGAB™) for large-scale DNA library construction, and All-in-One Plasmid™ for cost-effective AAV vector production. The company provides DNA synthesis services and DNA library construction services as its foundational offerings. These technologies are integrated into the Gene Therapy Biofoundry™ service platform, which offers end-to-end solutions including sequence design, cell line development, process development/scale-up, and analytical development and quality control for viral vectors (AAV and LV) and mRNA medicines. Supporting services include plasmid preparation, cloning services for difficult sequences, and plasmid modification services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• OGAB™: Proprietary DNA fragment assembly method using Bacillus subtilis for synthesizing long-strand DNA from few kb to over 100 kb.
• Combinatorial-OGAB™ (Combi-OGAB™)
• All-in-One Plasmid™
• Gene Therapy Biofoundry™

Products and services

• DNA Synthesis Services Custom DNA synthesis service using OGAB™ technology for long-chain DNA (a few kb to 100+ kb), sequences with extreme GC/AT content, repeat sequences, and sequences that cannot be cloned in E. coli. All synthesis work is performed in-house in Kobe, Japan.
• DNA Library Construction Services Service using Combinatorial-OGAB™ to design and construct large-scale, diverse DNA libraries (thousands to tens of thousands of patterns) tailored to client needs for applications such as viral vector development and enzyme optimization.
• Plasmid Preparation Services Plasmid preparation using CsCl/EtBr density gradient ultracentrifugation for transfection into animal cells, mRNA IVT templates, and raw plasmids for kit production.
• Cloning Services for Difficult Genes Cloning service using Bacillus subtilis for genes difficult to clone in E. coli (e.g., membrane proteins, nucleases), using customer-provided template genes.
• Large-Size Plasmid Modification Services Services including transcription unit conversion of gene clusters, multi-site mutation introduction into long plasmids, and creation of plasmids for insert length verification.
• Gene Therapy Biofoundry™ Vertically integrated biofoundry service for gene therapy providing one-stop solutions for sequence design and DNA synthesis, cell line development, process development (scale-up), and analytical development and quality control for viral vectors (AAV, LV) and mRNA medicines.
• Gene Therapy Sequence Design Services DNA sequence design and synthesis services as blueprints for gene therapy products, leveraging OGAB™ and Combinatorial-OGAB™ technologies.
• Process Development (Scale-up) for Gene Therapy Development of culture processes using jar fermenters and bioreactors, column chromatography purification processes, and pharmaceutical formulations for plasmid DNA, viral vectors, and mRNA for GMP manufacturing.
• Analytical Development and Quality Control for Gene Therapy Analytical development for viral vectors and mRNA including characterization, stability testing, GMP-compliant test method validation, and quality testing of plasmid DNA, viral vectors, and formulations.
• Viral Vector Production Services (Research Use) Production services for AAV and LV vectors including synthesis of gene-of-interest sequences, plasmid DNA synthesis, packaging into viral vectors, and empty capsid particle production in BSL-2 facilities.
• Technology Licensing (All-in-One Plasmid™ and supporting technologies) Out-licensing of proprietary technologies including All-in-One Plasmid™ and supporting feasibility studies for technology transfer to GMP manufacturing partners.

Quantifiable outcome

• Synthesize DNA over 100 kb with proven track record of 500+ DNA types
• +2 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• MicroBiopharm Japan Co., Ltd.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 December 2022Collaboration for plasmid DNA manufacturing process development and technology transfer. Synplogen develops the manufacturing process for plasmid DNA and transfers the technology to MicroBiopharm Japan for GMP raw material production.
• Merck (Japan)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 December 2022Collaboration for viral vector manufacturing process development and GMP manufacturing technology transfer. Synplogen develops viral vector manufacturing processes and transfers technology to Merck for GMP production.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• GenScript: GenScript offers gene synthesis, DNA library construction, and protein production services for biotech and pharma customers. It competes head-to-head with Synplogen in custom gene synthesis and gene therapy support services and is one of the dominant Asia-based players in the same segment.
• GenScript ProBio: GenScript ProBio is the CDMO arm of GenScript offering plasmid DNA, viral vector, and cell therapy manufacturing services. It is a direct comparable to Synplogen's Gene Therapy Biofoundry™ offering, addressing the same gene therapy developers with broader GMP capacity.
• Twist Bioscience: Twist Bioscience is a leading silicon-based DNA synthesis provider serving gene therapy, antibody discovery, and synthetic biology customers. It is the most direct competitor to Synplogen's DNA synthesis offering, addressing similar pharma/biotech buyers with overlapping capabilities, although Synplogen differentiates through Bacillus subtilis-based long-chain synthesis.
• ATUM (formerly DNA2.0): ATUM provides gene synthesis, protein engineering, and synthetic biology tools. It is comparable to Synplogen as a focused gene synthesis provider, sharing similar customer segments in pharma and biotech, though ATUM emphasizes algorithmic protein design alongside its synthesis services.

Emerging players

• ANSA Biotechnologies: ANSA is developing enzymatic DNA synthesis technology aimed at producing long, complex DNA sequences without templates. It is an emerging competitor to Synplogen in the long-chain DNA synthesis niche, attacking the same problem with a different technological approach.

Broad incumbents

• Integrated DNA Technologies (IDT): IDT, a Danaher company, is one of the largest custom DNA/RNA oligonucleotide and gene synthesis providers globally. It overlaps with Synplogen's custom DNA synthesis service for pharma and academic customers, but is a much broader incumbent with a vast catalog versus Synplogen's boutique long-chain focus.
• GeneArt (Thermo Fisher Scientific): GeneArt, part of Thermo Fisher's life sciences portfolio, offers gene synthesis and DNA library construction services. It competes with Synplogen on gene synthesis and synthetic biology applications, but with Thermo Fisher's much broader commercial and manufacturing footprint.
• Eurofins Genomics: Eurofins Genomics is a large-scale commercial provider of DNA synthesis, sequencing, and molecular biology services. It competes for the same pharma and academic customers Synplogen serves, though at much greater scale and breadth across Europe and globally.

Regional players

• Bioneer: Bioneer is a Korean molecular diagnostics and DNA synthesis provider offering custom gene synthesis and oligonucleotide services. It is a regional comparable to Synplogen — similar size and Asia-based — competing for the same regional academic and biotech customers with overlapping DNA synthesis offerings.

Others

• Auro Biotechnologies (Bioneer Pacific): Although a less direct competitor, Auro and adjacent Asia-based oligonucleotide and DNA synthesis providers represent the broader regional supply ecosystem Synplogen competes against for academic and biotech DNA synthesis contracts in APAC.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/synplogen

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors2 records

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Synplogen