In a report released in October 2021, Scorpion Capital alleged Ginkgo Bioworks Holdings Inc of being a "colossal scam", claiming that the company, at a $23 billion valuation, was ridiculously overpriced. Former employees cited in this short report claimed that 9 out of 10 projects launched by the company since its inception have failed. Ginkgo shares crashed 12% on the same day the report was released. Investor sentiment deteriorated further when the Department of Justice launched an investigation into the ...

Its ambitious business model may not be sustainable. Ginkgo Bioworks (DNA -1.81%) stock has had a rough 12 months, falling 88%, and undergoing a reverse stock split on Aug. 20 that left its shares down by around 18% in the aftermath. Depending on which view of the company you subscribe to, things could keep getting worse for shareholders over the next couple of years -- or they could get a lot better. Let's game out a few scenarios so that you can understand whether this stock is worth taking a chance on, o ...

Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. APDN stock traded higher on Friday on a strong session volume of 114.23 million, compared to the average volume of 6.78 million, according to data from Benzinga Pro. The PCR-based DNA technologies submitted a validation package to the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) to expand the permitted use of its Linea Mpox Virus 1.0 Assay to include both mpox clade I and clade II. The company's validation studies concluded that the Assay's primers and probe have 100% homology to ...

The Good Brigade/DigitalVision via Getty Images In recent years, you won't find many names that have done worse than cell programming and biosecurity company Ginkgo Bioworks (NYSE:DNA). The company has continued to miss lofty revenue growth targets, leading to its shares losing almost all of their value. Now that management is trying to turn things around and two major negative catalysts are behind us, it's time to see if this company can finally get on track. Previous coverage of the name I've been bearish ...

Have shares of the troubled life sciences business fallen too far? To say the past year has been rough for investors in Ginkgo Bioworks (DNA -13.85%) would be an understatement of the highest order. As of Aug 14, shares of the synthetic-biology stock were down by 86% in 2024. A beaten-down price isn't the only way the stock market has signaled low expectations. Ginkgo stock has been trading at a steeply negative enterprise value. It's a debt-free company that finished June with $730 million in cash and cash ...

Efficiency in core processes is set to increase substantially due to AI. As we've all been told, artificial intelligence (AI) is going to disrupt everything in healthcare, from scheduling a doctor's appointment to developing new medicines. But there's a lot more to AI than large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT. In fact, there's a good chance that AI's impact on biotech will go far beyond what consumer-facing AI applications might imply. Investors will accrue many of the benefits. Here's my predictions f ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company ended the quarter with $730 million in cash and no bank debt, indicating a strong cash position [3] - Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was negative $99 million, down from negative $80 million in Q2 2023, driven by a decrease in total revenue [12] - The net loss includes noncash income and expenses, making adjusted EBITDA a more indicative measure of profitability [12] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Cell engineering revenue was $36 million, down 20% compared to Q2 2023, primarily due to a decrease in revenue from early-stage customers [7] - Biosecurity revenue generated $20 million in Q2 2024, with a gross margin of 41%, significantly up due to the timing of a customer contract [9] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company supported a total of 140 active programs across 82 customers on the cell engineering platform, representing a 33% increase in active programs year-over-year [7] - The sales pipeline for both cell engineering and biosecurity categories remains solid, with new contracts and programs being added [8] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to reach adjusted EBITDA breakeven while maintaining a cash margin of safety, with plans to cut annualized operating expenses by $200 million by mid-2025 [3][4] - Ginkgo is focusing on opening its platform directly to customer scientists, democratizing access to its technology assets [4] - The company is narrowing its focus on specific offerings in agriculture and biopharma to improve efficiency and profitability [31][34] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the restructuring efforts and the ability to continue delivering for customers while implementing cost-cutting initiatives [20] - The company reaffirmed its guidance for 2024, expecting cell engineering revenue between $120 million to $140 million and biosecurity revenue of at least $50 million [13] Other Important Information - The company has notified approximately 450 employees, or roughly 35% of the workforce, about the reduction in force, which is expected to save over $85 million in annualized costs [5] - The company is implementing a genomic analysis program for H5N1, leveraging existing practices to monitor and respond to biological threats [45][46] Q&A Session Summary Question: What is the current outlook on some of Ginkgo tech? Any signs of breakthroughs in the next 1 to 2 years? - Management discussed the democratization of access to their platform and the effectiveness of their automation technology, which has shown promising results [49][50] Question: How has the progress been with accelerating the start-up time for new projects using the racks? - Management noted improvements in the scalability and manufacturability of their rack systems, allowing for quicker deployment and integration into existing setups [55][56] Question: What is the perspective on the demand environment for biosecurity and cell engineering? - Management indicated that while biosecurity revenue saw a spike, it should not be viewed as a new run rate, and they are cautious about the cell engineering side due to ongoing restructuring [58][59] Question: How is the organization adapting to the headcount cuts? - Management confirmed that restructuring has led to the creation of smaller business units to enhance accountability and efficiency in delivering customer services [60][61]

Financial Performance - Total revenue for Q2 2024 was $56.2 million, down $24.4 million (30.3%) from $80.6 million in Q2 2023, and $94.2 million in the first half of 2024, down $67.1 million (71.5%) from $161.3 million in the first half of 2023[156]. - Cell Engineering revenue decreased by $9.1 million (20.1%) in Q2 2024 compared to Q2 2023, and by $15.3 million (19.3%) in the first half of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023[156]. - Biosecurity revenue decreased by $15.3 million (25.5%) in Q2 2024 compared to Q2 2023, and by $51.8 million (51.8%) in the first half of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023[159]. - Net loss for Q2 2024 was $217.2 million, an increase of $43.9 million (25.3%) compared to a net loss of $173.3 million in Q2 2023[156]. - Adjusted EBITDA for the six months ended June 30, 2024, was $(216.2) million, compared to $(179.8) million for the same period in 2023[178]. Revenue Streams - The Cell Engineering segment generates revenue through service fees and downstream value share, with a focus on milestone payments and royalties[115]. - Biosecurity revenue is derived from fees for data and analytics services, with a shift in focus from test kit sales to biomonitoring and bioinformatic support[115]. - Cell Engineering revenue is generated through license and collaboration agreements, with service fees including upfront payments, reimbursements, and milestone payments[133]. Operational Changes - Ginkgo has entered into multiple Platform Ventures, including Motif FoodWorks, which raised approximately $119 million in gross proceeds, and Allonnia, which raised about $52 million[118][119]. - The company announced changes in commercial terms, including new intellectual property terms and the removal of downstream value share from certain program types[135]. - The company anticipates that scaling its platform will lead to lower program costs, driving additional demand for its cell programming capabilities[112]. - The company anticipates expenditures will exceed revenue for at least the next 12 months, focusing on R&D, operational upgrades, and acquisitions[181]. Investment and Impairment - Genomatica's investment value was $55.0 million, with a carrying value of $7.0 million as of June 30, 2024, reflecting impairment losses[126]. - Goodwill impairment of the Cell Engineering reporting unit was fully recognized in Q2 2024[144]. - The company recorded a goodwill impairment loss of $47.9 million due to a decrease in market capitalization and stock price, indicating a potential impairment as of June 30, 2024[189]. - The company recorded a $47.9 million impairment expense related to goodwill for the six months ended June 30, 2024[175]. Program Metrics - New Programs decreased from 21 in 2023 to 10 in 2024, indicating a potential slowdown in future revenue growth[130]. - Current Active Programs increased from 105 in 2023 to 140 in 2024, suggesting a positive trend in ongoing projects[130]. - Cumulative Programs remained stable at 269, indicating a consistent level of program initiation over time[130]. - The number of Current Active Programs increased to 140 in Q2 2024, up from 105 in Q2 2023, and the number of customers grew to 82 from 63 in the prior year period[157]. Cost Management - R&D expenses are expected to decrease due to a restructuring plan initiated in Q2 2024, focusing on prioritizing investments in key areas[142]. - General and Administrative expenses are anticipated to lower as a result of the restructuring plan, while maintaining a strategic approach to inorganic growth initiatives[143]. - Restructuring charges incurred were $17.1 million in Q2 2024, primarily related to employee termination costs and facility consolidation[166]. Cash Flow and Liquidity - Net cash used in operating activities was $173.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024, compared to $164.1 million for the same period in 2023[182]. - Cash and cash equivalents as of June 30, 2024, were $730.4 million, expected to fund projected operations for at least the next 12 months[180]. - Net cash used in investing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2024, was $38.9 million, primarily for property and equipment purchases and the acquisition of Zymergen[186]. Market and Economic Factors - Inflation has not had a material effect on the company's business, financial condition, or results of operations during the three and six months ended June 30, 2024[193]. - The company does not expect an immediate 10% change in the relative value of the U.S. dollar to other currencies to materially affect its operating results or financial condition[192]. - An immediate change in market interest rates of 100 basis points would not have a material impact on the fair market value of the company's cash and cash equivalents[191].

Ginkgo provides update on its restructuring process including estimated annualized cost savings of over $85 million from reduction in force BOSTON, Aug. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Ginkgo Bioworks Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: DNA, "Ginkgo"), which is building the leading platform for cell programming and biosecurity, today announced its results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2024. The update, including a webcast slide presentation with additional details on the second quarter and supplemental financial informat ...

Ginkgo Bioworks (NYSE:DNA) stock is falling on Friday after the cell programming company announced plans for a reverse split of its shares. Ginkgo Bioworks wants to enact a reverse stock split for DNA shares in the range of one-for-20 to one-for-40. This has it holding a shareholder meeting to get approval from investors for the reverse stock split. That meeting is set to take place on Aug. 14, 2024 at 4:00 pm Eastern Time. If shareholders approve the reverse stock split, it will be up to the board of direc ...