Genomatica was founded in 2000 based on pioneering research in the development of predictive computer models of cellular metabolism developed by Professor Bernhard Palsson. The Company’s early vision was to harness the power of metabolic modeling and simulation as a biological discovery engine to accelerate life science product development. Of specific interest were product areas that dealt with microbial metabolism and human metabolism; the former is more advanced from a technology development and commercialization standpoint and is a main focus of Genomatica today.

In order to develop its technology platform, Genomatica adopted a strategy that leveraged modest early investments with extensive Federal R&D funding and early stage corporate partnerships. As the technology matured, the Company advanced from offering technology rights and modeling software to the ability to demonstrate in a wet lab its experimental capability to develop novel microorganisms that produce high levels of desirable chemicals. In October of 2007 the first target product was identified, with initial production in the lab in early 2008.

Genomatica’s scientists work fervently to increase the number of products in the pipeline. In August of 2008 the first chemical microorganism was enhanced 1000 times, bringing the prospects of low-cost production closer to reality.