Developing Implantable Cell-Based Bioelectronic Devices for Disease Treatment Under ARPA-H's REACT Program

We're excited to announce a subcontract of up to $9.4 million awarded in partnership with Carnegie Mellon University to develop bioelectronic cell-based devices aimed at diagnosing and treating hormone disorders.

This initiative is part of the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health's (ARPA-H) Resilient Extended Automatic Cell Therapies (REACT) program. Ginkgo is eligible to receive up to $9.4 million for its work across the program. 

Chronic diseases that require continuous monitoring and treatment, such as thyroid disorders, diabetes, and obesity affect millions globally, presenting a significant public health challenge. Through this collaboration, Ginkgo will leverage its industry-leading capabilities in mammalian cell engineering and induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) engineering to create cells that produce and deliver therapeutic molecules—such as hormones—and/or monitor the disease status.

The Biointegrated Implantable Systems for Cell-based Sensing and Therapy (BIO-INSYNC) project focuses on implantable bioelectronic devices that utilize engineered cells to produce therapeutic molecules on demand and/or to measure disease biomarkers in real time. These devices are expected to function for at least a year after implantation. The team will demonstrate their platform technology using thyroid disorders, including hypo- and hyperthyroidism, as sample diseases. The systems will measure the levels of thyroid hormones and/or produce the required dose of thyroid hormones. The patient and the healthcare provider can monitor disease and control drug delivery status remotely using a smartphone.

"This is an exciting opportunity to support Carnegie Mellon's team on ARPA-H's REACT program," said Jesse Dill, Business Development Lead at Ginkgo Bioworks. "Chronic diseases that require continuous management cause a high public health burden, and bioelectronic devices like those targeted in the REACT program have the potential to unlock new, convenient ways to monitor and treat these conditions. We are excited to apply our expertise in mammalian cell engineering and iPSC-derived tissue differentiation to this challenge, in partnership with our team members."

Mike Nehil, Senior Director of Mammalian Engineering at Ginkgo Bioworks, added, "Our advanced capabilities in mammalian cell engineering make us a strong partner for academic-led teams aiming to push the boundaries of medical innovation. We look forward to contributing to this significant project and advancing our iPSC platform."

"We are thrilled to partner with Ginkgo Bioworks on this groundbreaking initiative," said Dr. Burak Ozdoganlar, Ver Planck Endowed Chair Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University, who leads the BIO-INSYNC project. "By combining our expertise in bioelectronics and tissue engineering with Ginkgo's leading cell engineering platform, we aim to create transformative therapies that could redefine the management of hormone disorders. This multidisciplinary project will also include researchers from the University of Pittsburgh, University of Florida, and University of California—Santa Cruz."

This partnership underscores Ginkgo's commitment to collaborating with academic institutions and innovative funding agencies to address complex health challenges. By participating in this groundbreaking program, Ginkgo plans to further develop and demonstrate its capabilities in engineering mammalian cell systems to treat complex diseases.

To learn more about how you can bring innovative biological solutions to life, please visit our page for Ginkgo Cell Therapy Services.