Synplogen

About Synplogen

Synplogen, established in February 2017, is a biotechnology startup that originated from Kobe University's Graduate School of Science, Technology and Innovation. The company was founded by a team including Kenji Tsuge, who invented the core OGAB™ technology, and is currently led by Representative Director and CEO Kazuhiko Yamamoto. Mr. Yamamoto brings a background in finance and management strategy from his time at Sumitomo Electric Industries and Nomura Research Institute.

The firm operates in the synthetic biology and gene therapy markets, providing specialized services to biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies. Its business model centers on providing custom DNA synthesis and acting as a biofoundry for gene therapy development. Revenue is generated through these fee-for-service offerings, which support clients from research phases through to clinical trial preparation. The company has secured significant funding, including a Series C financing round, to expand its R&D capabilities and manufacturing infrastructure.

Synplogen's core service is built upon its proprietary OGAB™ (Ori-GEM-based Assembly) and Combinatorial-OGAB™ technologies. This platform is distinguished by its use of Bacillus subtilis for DNA assembly, which enables the synthesis of long-chain DNA up to and exceeding 100 kilobase pairs. It can handle complex sequences, such as those with high GC content or repetitive patterns, that are often challenging to clone using standard E. coli methods. For the gene therapy sector, Synplogen offers "Gene Therapy Biofoundry™" services, which encompass the design, development, manufacturing, and analysis of viral vectors and mRNA. This integrated service model aims to accelerate the commercialization of new gene therapies by providing an end-to-end solution from DNA synthesis to supporting technology transfer for GMP-compliant manufacturing.