Huaan: Transformation and upgrading of productivity create new blue ocean, synthetic biology welcomes the development breeze.

Huaan released a research report stating that with the deepening of the concept of engineering design, synthetic biology is gradually becoming a new direction for productivity transformation and upgrading. This technology integrates multiple interdisciplinary fields, aiming to construct new biological systems to produce specific substances. Although the current share of synthetic biology in basic chemicals is limited, its strategic and commercial value is already evident, and the empowerment of AI technology and policy support are bringing unprecedented development opportunities. However, industry players need to pay close attention to the core barriers and potential risks in various aspects of the industry chain. Key points from Huaan are as follows: Synthetic biology is a new direction for productivity transformation and upgrading. Synthetic biology is based on the concept of engineering design, combining interdisciplinary technologies such as biology, chemistry, medicine, agronomy, engineering, computer science, and data science. The goal is to design and build new biological systems to achieve specific functions, essentially making cells work to produce the desired substances for humanity. The difference between synthetic biology and fermentation engineering lies in the targeted intervention in cells, greatly enhancing the efficiency of microbial cell factories. Currently, synthetic biology can only synthesize a few dozen bulk chemicals, and its overall share in basic chemicals is still very limited, unable to drastically replace traditional chemical industry. However, it has good applications in some areas, with strategic and commercial advantages, and huge potential in the future of biomanufacturing. AI empowerment upstream + policy support on the ground, the east wind of synthetic biology is coming. Currently, the main strength of international synthetic biology is mainly concentrated in the United States, Europe, and other regions. Their policies have certain reference value for China, which is also laying out policies at the provincial and municipal levels, providing guidance routes and various support. With the increasing demand for the landing of the biomanufacturing industry, new landmark documents are expected to appear, further guiding industry development and completing the healthy value cycle of the synthetic biology industry. On the other hand, through machine learning models and algorithms, AI can analyze large amounts of data in a short time and model and simulate biological systems, quickly evaluate design schemes and experimental conditions, predict and optimize research and development results, reduce the randomness and repetitiveness of experiments. As domestic AI technology continues to develop, it will provide strong support for the research of synthetic biology. Three levels of core barriers in the industry chain are different, and there are abundant investment opportunities in China. The global synthetic biology industry is in a period of rapid development, with interconnected chains. For innovative production industries with high technological content like synthetic biology, patents are important but difficult to fully cover the core barriers of the entire synthetic biology industry. Upstream tool companies focus on enabling technology development, with core barriers based on the professional advantages brought by technology; midstream platform companies provide enabling technology platforms, with core assets concentrated on biological foundries, code libraries, comprehensive workflow biological laboratories that collect various knowledge, and databases required for cell programming; downstream application companies bring innovative products to various vertical industries, controlling the cost of mass production, batch-to-batch variation, and yield rate, which are the core technologies of application-layer companies. Risk warnings Risks of industrialization progress falling short of expectations; risks of strain and formula leakage; risks of legal disputes; risks of biological safety; risks of ethical morality; risks of downstream certification falling short of expectations.