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Arzeda is a biotechnology company designing custom organisms using knowledge of synthetic biology and computational biology for the production of specialty and bulk chemical products. Arzeda uses its own proprietary software for computational enzyme design, protein optimization, and metabolic engineering to create organisms that are intended to produce chemicals on an industrial scale. The company is located in Seattle, Washington and was founded in 2008 by Eric Althoff, David Baker, Daniela Grabs, and Alexandre Zanghellini.
Arzeda uses computer simulations to design up to 10^37 possible enzymes capable of performing a certain biochemical function. Its computational system then tests the potential enzymes under multiple conditions through simulations in an attempt to see which enzyme design is optimal for specific cases. The best candidates are then selected to be made in the lab and tested in real-world settings.
Azeda uses its in-house software for protein optimization called Archytas. Archytas is capable of identifying high energy areas within protein structures and come up with designs that improve enzyme function and/or add or subtract biochemical properties of an enzyme.
Arzeda combines its enzyme design and protein optimization techniques with their bioengineering tools to create novel metabolic pathways. Its metabolic engineering system comprises three steps: identify existing enzymes with the desired properties, re-engineer enzymes to perform desired function, and design new enzymes capable of novel biological functions. By combining these three processes Arzeda is able to design completely new metabolic pathways capable of producing desired products.
On December 8, 2009 Arzeda received a $149,000 grant from the National Science Foundation for a six-month contract to try and create an enzyme capable of producing butadiene.
On December 12, 2013 Arzeda recieved an undisclosed amount of grant funding from Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy (ARPA-E) in conjunction with the University of Washington for the development of a bioreactor system with the ability to convert methane to methanol.
On February 27, 2009 Arzeda received and undisclosed amount of seed funding from the Washington Research Foundation.
On July 20, 2017 Arzeda completed its Series-A funding round raising $12,000,000 from OS Fund (lead investor), Bioeconomy Capital, Washington Research Foundation, Sustainable Conversion Ventures, and Conversion Ventures.
On July 14, 2009 Arzeda announced its first partnership agreement. It will be partnering up with Dupont's business Pioneer Hi-Bred to increase agricultural productivity through the creation of more efficient crop strains such as corn, soybeans, rice, cotton, and canola. DuPont will have ownership and rights to anything produced during the collaboration.
On February 6, 2013 Arzeda announced a partnership with INVISTA. The two companies agreed to collaborate on the development of technologies which can help enable the creation of new bio-derived processes. INVISTA will provide knowledge in the fields of biotechnology, chemicals, and catalysis for integration into Arzeda's software platforms in hopes of accelerating technological development for both companies.
On November 11, 2015 Arzeda announced a partnership with Stratos Genomics, a biotechnology company developing DNA sequencing technologies. Stratos Genomcs hopes to leverage the software, enzyme engineering, and metabolic bioengineering technologies of Arzeda to advance its own "Sequence by Expansion" (SBX) technology. SBX is an enzyme enabled rapid prototyping system for the construction of single molecule DNA sequences. Arzeda will aid Stratos Genomics in making enzymes that improve upon enzymes being used in SBX technology.
On February 16, 2016 Mitsubishi Rayon announced it will be working with Arzeda to improve the process of producing a specific chemical building block used in several applications. Arzeda is using its Archytas protein design software and Mitsubishi Rayon will be offering expertise in process development and industrialization. The general manager of Mitsubishi Rayon's research and development administration department had the following to say about the Arzeda partnership, "Through our own experience and expertise, as well as with innovative technology like Arzeda’s, Mitsubishi Rayon can meet the growing global demand for a range of products in a sustainable manner."
On March 21, 2016 Arzeda and Zymergen announced a multi-year deal to work together on developing new strains of organisms capable of manufacturing valuable molecules and materials. Arzeda is offering Zymergen access to its metabolic bioengineering, protein optimization, and enzyme design software and technologies; and Zymergen is offering Arzeda access to its strain construction technologies. Alexandre Zanghellini, the CEO of Arzeda, said the following about the partnership, "Uniting with Zymergen's innovative strain design platform has the potential to help make our designs a reality. Zymergen's scientists are constantly pushing the envelope in synthetic biology, and we are thrilled to be working with their team."
