San Francisco, Calif., July 14, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Synthetic biology company Pareto Biotechnologies today announces a technology partnership with global bioengineering leader DNA2.0, enabling Pareto to further develop its technology for quick-to-market products.

The integration of Pareto's rational-based design approach and DNA2.0's machine learning optimization technologies, such as ProteinGPS™ and GeneGPS™, is drastically speeding up the process of engineering proteins in the Pareto pipeline. Specifically, Pareto will merge its novel synthetic biology platform with DNA2.0's ProteinGPS™ engineering technology, to identify and quantify genetic mutations to be incorporated into iterative rounds of improved synthetic genes. The tool rapidly generates proteins with improved characteristics.

"Rational-based design has been the core of my life's work. The marriage of Pareto's novel platform with DNA2.0's engineering expertise will create fantastic opportunities for enhancing enzymes for the production of Pareto products," said Dr. Joseph Noel, Salk Institute for Biological Studies Professor and Chairman of Pareto Biotechnologies' Scientific Advisory Board.

Pareto's CEO, Jamie Bacher, continued, "Our deep understanding of the structures of these classes of enzymes, along with a statistical optimization algorithm from DNA2.0 gets us the best of both worlds: rational design and robust enzyme improvement. Through our relationship with DNA2.0, we'll be able to generate completely novel molecules with applicability to flavors and fragrances, cosmetics, and therapeutics."

The broad applicability of this combined approach enables a progressive application of the technology along the value chain, as a practical demonstration of the power of market-driven research and development efforts – a.k.a. "Synthetic Biology 2.0." Pareto will leverage DNA2.0's specific technologies to increase the efficacy of its own platform to generate flavors, fragrances and cosmetics with improved and novel properties. As the technology is further developed, it will also enhance drug discovery platforms, as well as the generation of industrial chemicals.

"Our patented bioengineering approaches, especially ProteinGPS™ and GeneGPS™, have been validated by many scientific publications and successful partners. Recently we published a seminal ProteinGPS paper in ACS Synthetic Biology. The technology allows the researcher to engineer any biological function using only a few hundred samples. We are delighted to partner with Pareto and Dr. Joe Noel in their exciting endeavor to ignite the molecular revolution," said Claes Gustafsson, DNA2.0's Chief Commercial Officer.

About Pareto Biotechnologies:

Pareto Biotechnologies is a synthetic biology startup that is poised to lead the movement towards a bio-based economy. Pareto's platform fully leverages its dominant IP position in polyketide pathways, combining structurally-guided enzyme design and synthetic biology to develop a platform for designer molecules with broad applicability: cosmetics, flavors, fragrances, therapeutics, industrial commodity chemicals, and chemical intermediates. Learn More About Pareto Biotechnologies.

About DNA2.0:

DNA2.0 is the leading bioengineering solutions provider, offering an integrated pipeline of solutions, including gene design, optimization, synthesis, and platforms for protein and strain engineering. DNA2.0 explores novel applications for synthetic genes and the synergy between efficient gene design and protein optimization technologies. DNA2.0's tools and solutions are fueling the transformation of biology from a discovery science to an engineering discipline. Learn More About DNA2.0.

Media Contact:

Kristen Caron

Kristen@7SecondStrategies.com

978-407-9283

SOURCE Pareto Biotechnologies