The Science Technology and Research Institute of Delaware (STRIDE) reached an R&D agreement with Zymergen, a California-based molecular technology company. STRIDE science and technology experts will develop Zymergen microbially-derived building blocks for applications such as films, coatings and adhesives. 

Zymergen is integrating high throughput screening, robots for automation, big data analysis and machine learning to design and create new microbial strains at dramatically improved scale and speed.

“Our platform offers the capability to create unique specialty materials from biology and at a commercially viable cost,” said Dr. Joachim Ritter, VP of Research & Technology at Zymergen. “Using this approach, we can access previously untapped sources of molecular diversity to develop novel materials with properties not previously possible using traditional methods. We are partnering with proven innovators across industries to develop these novel products.” 

“We are excited to be working with Zymergen in our labs here in Delaware,” said Dr. Seetha Coleman-Kammula, CEO of STRIDE Services. “When Zymergen approached us, we quickly put together an excellent team of experts in films, coatings, adhesives and analytical chemistry and gathered the necessary laboratory infrastructure to help them get to market faster and more efficiently. This is at the heart of our value proposition.” 

Added U.S. Senator Chris Coons: “Delaware is fortunate to be home to STRIDE and its scientists and engineers, who are some of the smartest and most experienced industry professionals in the country. STRIDE offers a great flexible option to a small company looking to grow or a large company looking to quickly supplement or expand R&D capacity. The diversity of their members’ backgrounds makes STRIDE a logical option for a company or research organization to partner with.”