Ginkgo Bioworks allies with Ajinomoto to expand into amino acid production

Ginkgo Bioworks has unveiled part of the expansion strategy it teased when it raised $45 million earlier this year. The expansion sees the organism design specialist hook up with Ajinomoto to apply its microbe engineering capabilities to amino acids. Ajinomoto is a Japanese producer of ingredients used in pharmaceuticals, foods, drinks and other products. "The partnership is one of the first in our expansion plans into new categories including pharmaceuticals, nutrition, cosmetics and health," Ginkgo Bioworks CEO Jason Kelly said in a statement. Release