Why does synthetic biology in the United States monopolize 40% of the global market?
Not only does it have strong research and development capabilities, but it also has a mature capital market and a relaxed policy environment, which provide fertile soil for the development of synthetic biology.
So, what are the significant characteristics of the synthetic biology industry in the United States?
Capital Agglomeration - Financial Aspect
In 2020, corporate financing in the field of synthetic biology in the United States soared to $7.8 billion, 2.5 times the previous year. By 2021, this number had reached $18 billion, almost equivalent to the total of the previous 12 years.
The United States, with nearly 42% market share, has become the largest regional market for synthetic biology in the world, driven by early loose regulatory policies and sustained national level encouragement and investment.
Regulatory Priority - Policy Aspect
In the development of synthetic biology in the United States, relatively aggressive regulatory policies have played a key role. In 1986, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) published the "Coordinated Framework for Biotechnology Regulation in the United States", which paved the way for the commercialization of genetically engineered organisms.
The implementation of this policy has enabled the United States to lead the world in the commercialization of synthetic biology and promoted its rapid development.
Regional Concentration and Cluster Effect - Geographical Characteristics
Synthetic biology companies in the United States are mainly concentrated in California and Massachusetts, which have received the largest share of investment in the field of synthetic biology in the past decade.
This regional concentration is not only supported by local policies, but also inseparable from the support of elite universities behind it. This cluster effect promotes the exchange of knowledge and the dissemination of technology, attracting more investment and talent.
Dual Strategy of Platform and Product - Business Model
American synthetic biology companies have always faced a crucial decision: whether to become platform providers or direct consumer facing product manufacturers.
Ginkgo Bioworks chose the former and is committed to building a platform that allows customers to program cells, while Amyris has achieved great success through direct to consumer products. The coexistence of this model reflects the flexibility and diversity of the synthetic biology industry.
