French biotech DNA Script raises $200 million, pushes forward with desktop DNA printer

Parisian life sciences technology company DNA Script has raised $200 million in a Series C funding round. The company has developed an alternative to traditional DNA synthesis, a proprietary mechanism it calls Enzymatic DNA Synthesis. This process is the foundation of the company’s SYNTAX platform, one that gives scientists the ability to print DNA, in a matter of speaking, from the convenience of home. The funds are expected to further drive the development of the SYNTAX platform. Since its founding in 2014, DNA Script has raised a total of $315 million.

It might sound like something out of a science fiction novel, but yes, DNA Script is pushing the envelope for scientists that are pushing the genomics and molecular biology envelope. Through its Enzymatic DNA Synthesis method, a fully automated, desktop DNA printer gives researchers the ability to create custom oligos (short single strands of synthetic DNA or RNA that serve as the starting point for many molecular biology and synthetic biology applications) in their own lab without the need for specialised infrastructure or the laborious process of waiting days or weeks for third-party service providers to deliver genetic materials.

DNA Script’s $200 million Series C round was comprised of two tranches, the first tranche of $165 million was led by Coatue Management and Catalio Capital Management, and included new investors Fidelity Management and Research, Columbia Threadneedle Investments, Arrowmark Partners, Farallon Capital, and Moore Strategic Ventures, with existing investors Casdin Capital, LSP, Illumina Ventures, Bpifrance Large Venture Fund, Danaher Life Sciences, Agilent Technologies, M Ventures, Kurma Partners, and Alexandria Venture Investment all following on.

The second tranche of $35 million saw investment from T. Rowe Price Associates, Baillie Gifford, Healthcor Management, eureKARE, and Irving Investors, as well as additional capital from previous investors.

“We are thrilled to partner with this world-class group of investors, including new participants Baillie Gifford and T. Rowe Price, who collectively share our vision to increase access to oligo manufacturing to accelerate the bio-revolution,” commented DNA Script co-founder and CEO Thomas Ybert. “SYNTAX is the first step toward creating a new paradigm for DNA and RNA synthesis. With the support of our investors, we look forward to continuing to advance this new paradigm to solve some of our largest challenges and advance human health.”