Top 10 European Synthetic Biology Companies

Swiss CDMO titan with CHF 6.7B revenue, Lonza is Europe's premier manufacturer of biologics, cell and gene therapies, and microbial fermentation products. Its Ibex Solutions platform allows biotech clients to move from concept to GMP production in under 24 months, making it the backbone of the continent's biopharma supply chain.

US-founded but with significant European operations, Twist's silicon-based DNA synthesis platform can write 9,600 genes on a single chip. European research institutions and synbio startups rely on Twist for affordable, high-accuracy synthetic DNA, enabling everything from vaccine development to data storage encoded in nucleic acids.

Cambridge, UK startup that reprogrammes human stem cells into any cell type with unprecedented purity and scalability using its proprietary opti-ox technology. Bit Bio's commercial cell lines are used by pharma partners for drug screening and regenerative medicine research, with a Series B valuation exceeding $300M.

Family-owned German CDMO based in Laupheim specialising in mammalian cell culture manufacturing for biopharmaceuticals. With over 50 years of heritage and a €400M investment programme underway, Rentschler serves 100+ global clients producing monoclonal antibodies, fusion proteins and viral vectors at commercial scale.

German specialty chemicals giant with a dedicated life science division producing lipids for mRNA vaccine formulations — including the COVID-19 vaccines — as well as amino acids and excipients for biopharmaceutical manufacturing. Evonik's PRECISE lipid nanoparticle technology has become a critical component of the global vaccine supply chain.

European arm of global biotech services leader GenScript, providing gene synthesis, peptide manufacturing and antibody development to research institutions across the EU. GenScript's ProBio CDMO division is expanding into EU GMP biologics production, positioning it as a full-service partner for synthetic biology commercialisation.

US-founded but Europe-active company behind the Onyx digital genome engineering platform, which enables massively parallel genetic edits across entire microbial genomes. Inscripta's technology is deployed at European industrial biotech firms engineering microbes for bio-based chemical and food ingredient production.

Swiss-based bioprocess consultancy and technology provider specialising in quality-by-design frameworks for biologics manufacturing. Novatek supports European synbio companies navigating EMA regulatory submissions, bringing gene-edited products from development through clinical manufacturing with a proven compliance methodology.

Swedish startup spinning structural proteins — including spider silk variants — from genetically engineered microbes, targeting performance textiles and biomedical scaffolds. Backed by Nordic venture capital, Spiber Technologies exemplifies Scandinavia's growing strength in protein engineering and sustainable biomaterials.

Swiss CDMO titan with CHF 6.7B revenue, Lonza is Europe's premier manufacturer of biologics, cell and gene therapies, and microbial fermentation products. Its Ibex Solutions platform allows biotech clients to move from concept to GMP production in under 24 months, making it the backbone of the continent's biopharma supply chain.

US-founded but with significant European operations, Twist's silicon-based DNA synthesis platform can write 9,600 genes on a single chip. European research institutions and synbio startups rely on Twist for affordable, high-accuracy synthetic DNA, enabling everything from vaccine development to data storage encoded in nucleic acids.

Cambridge, UK startup that reprogrammes human stem cells into any cell type with unprecedented purity and scalability using its proprietary opti-ox technology. Bit Bio's commercial cell lines are used by pharma partners for drug screening and regenerative medicine research, with a Series B valuation exceeding $300M.

Family-owned German CDMO based in Laupheim specialising in mammalian cell culture manufacturing for biopharmaceuticals. With over 50 years of heritage and a €400M investment programme underway, Rentschler serves 100+ global clients producing monoclonal antibodies, fusion proteins and viral vectors at commercial scale.

German specialty chemicals giant with a dedicated life science division producing lipids for mRNA vaccine formulations — including the COVID-19 vaccines — as well as amino acids and excipients for biopharmaceutical manufacturing. Evonik's PRECISE lipid nanoparticle technology has become a critical component of the global vaccine supply chain.

European arm of global biotech services leader GenScript, providing gene synthesis, peptide manufacturing and antibody development to research institutions across the EU. GenScript's ProBio CDMO division is expanding into EU GMP biologics production, positioning it as a full-service partner for synthetic biology commercialisation.

US-founded but Europe-active company behind the Onyx digital genome engineering platform, which enables massively parallel genetic edits across entire microbial genomes. Inscripta's technology is deployed at European industrial biotech firms engineering microbes for bio-based chemical and food ingredient production.

Swiss-based bioprocess consultancy and technology provider specialising in quality-by-design frameworks for biologics manufacturing. Novatek supports European synbio companies navigating EMA regulatory submissions, bringing gene-edited products from development through clinical manufacturing with a proven compliance methodology.

Swedish startup spinning structural proteins — including spider silk variants — from genetically engineered microbes, targeting performance textiles and biomedical scaffolds. Backed by Nordic venture capital, Spiber Technologies exemplifies Scandinavia's growing strength in protein engineering and sustainable biomaterials.