SAN DIEGO, July 2, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — SGI-DNA, a leader in commercial DNA synthesis, today announced industry veteran Todd R. Nelson, Ph.D., MBA has been appointed Chief Executive Officer to lead the spin-out of the company from Synthetic Genomics, Inc. (SGI).

“Todd is a proven life sciences leader who brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to commercial organizations like SGI-DNA with disruptive instrument and reagent platforms, and we are very pleased to have him lead the organization during this time of accelerated growth,” said Oliver Fetzer, Ph.D., MBA, Chief Executive Officer of Synthetic Genomics and SGI-DNA Board member. “With more than 20 years industry experience and an outstanding value creation track record in prior CEO roles, Todd is poised to take SGI-DNA and its exciting platform centered around the BioXp™ System, the world’s first benchtop DNA printer, to new heights.”

Todd was previously responsible for leading several life sciences companies through expansive phases of financial and commercial growth including eBioscience (acquired by Affymetrix, now Thermo Fisher), MP Biomedicals (acquired by Valeant Fine Chemicals), and most recently, DiscoverX Corporation (now Eurofins). Todd is the founder of Tonbo Biosciences and TCRx Corporation.

“I look forward to helping SGI-DNA capitalize on its rapid phase of innovation and commercial development,” said Todd R. Nelson, Ph.D., MBA. “The company enjoys an unusual mix of successful ingredients: a highly differentiated and disruptive product line, exposure to large, rapidly growing emerging markets, great people, and great customers. I’m confident we can fully leverage critical assets and realize the business’ full upside potential as the global leader in integrated DNA synthesis solutions.”

About SGI-DNA
SGI-DNA is a subsidiary of Synthetic Genomics, Inc. (SGI) and commercializes genomic tools to advance scientific discovery. The company’s suite of gene synthesis instrumentation, reagents, bioinformatics, and services enable scientists to discover, design, and build novel solutions for basic research and biomedical and industrial applications. In 2014, SGI-DNA launched the BioXp™ 3200 System, the world’s first DNA printer. This fully automated genomic workstation was innovated by research and development scientists at SGI to create double-stranded DNA fragments, automated cloning, and next-generation sequencing DNA library preparation. More information about SGI-DNA and the BioXp System is available at www.sgidna.com.

About Synthetic Genomics, Inc.
Synthetic Genomics, Inc. (SGI) is a private biotechnology company harnessing the power of living cells — nature’s most efficient machines — to create transformative medicines and bio-based products. With an unmatched understanding of how DNA and RNA instruct the functions of life, we program cells for improved purpose and function. Our R&D competencies focus on our novel self-amplifying RNA replicon platform for infectious disease and oncology vaccines and therapeutics and our algal cell systems for industrial and biotherapeutic discovery and manufacturing. Built on a legacy of scientific firsts, our team of biological engineers are shaping the future bioeconomy. For more information about our research, partnering opportunities or careers, please visit us at www.syntheticgenomics.com to learn more.

Forward-Looking Statements
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SOURCE Synthetic Genomics, Inc.