William Blair initiated research coverage of Twist Bioscience Corporation (TWST $122.56) and Zymergen Inc. (ZY $41.15), two companies in the burgeoning synthetic biology ecosystem.

In a white paper published in conjunction with the initiations, analyst Matt Larew described synthetic biology as involving the design and engineering of biological organisms. Part science, part engineering, and part industrial design, synthetic biology can be thought of as a way of programming life. In the same way that computers can be programmed with binary code, cells can be programmed with the code of life, DNA. In his view, this approach has the potential to revolutionize virtually every industry and is compelling from an ESG standpoint. Within this framework, Twist Bioscience’s DNA synthesis platform addresses the limitations in scale, throughput, and cost associated with legacy DNA synthesis methods, effectively enabling researchers and companies to start to fulfill the promise of synthetic biology. Zymergen is a leading synthetic biology company with a differentiated, end-to-end “biofacturing” platform that it leverages to create better products faster, cheaper, and more sustainably.

Larew said, “Twist’s disruptive DNA synthesis platform has industrialized the engineering of biology and established the company as the leader in the synthetic DNA market. While providing a key enabling technology for the synthetic biology workflow, Twist has leveraged its platform to develop a suite of products for the high-growth NGS market. Since going public in 2018, Twist has seen rapid adoption of its products in the synthetic biology and NGS markets, resulting in a revenue CAGR of 88.2% from fiscal 2018 to 2020. Given Twist’s competitive position in these rapidly growing markets, we expect above-industry-average top-line growth to continue, and we see potential for significant upside from Twist’s emerging biopharma business and possible expansion into the massive data storage market.”

While Twist offers enabling technology, Zymergen focuses on the manufacturing and commercialization of end products created on the synthetic biology platform. Larew said, “By integrating techniques in biology, chemistry, materials science, lab automation systems, software applications, unique databases, and machine learning algorithms, Zymergen believes its biofacturing platform will eventually enable it to make better products without the use of toxic chemicals, cut costs by roughly 90%, and produce materials in about half the time. We are not aware of any other synthetic biology companies with a comparable platform that are attempting to directly commercialize products across such a diverse range of industries. Zymergen has 11 products in development across three industries so far, and we expect its pipeline to continue to expand both within its three original target markets and into new markets.”

William Blair is the premier global boutique with expertise in investment banking, investment management, and private wealth management. We provide advisory services, strategies, and solutions to meet our clients’ evolving needs. As an independent and employee-owned firm, together with our strategic partners, we operate in more than 20 offices worldwide.*

View our research coverage list

*Includes strategic partnerships with Allier Capital, BDA Partners, and Poalim Capital Markets.

William Blair or an affiliate does and seeks to do business with companies covered in its research reports. As a result, investors should be aware that the firm may have a conflict of interest that could affect the objectivity of this report. This report is not intended to provide personal investment advice. The opinions and recommendations herein do not take into account individual client circumstances, objectives, or needs and are not intended as recommendations of particular securities, financial instruments, or strategies to particular clients. The recipient of this report must make its own independent decisions regarding any securities or financial instruments mentioned herein.

William Blair or an affiliate is a market maker in the security of Twist Bioscience Corporation and Zymergen Inc.

William Blair or an affiliate expects to receive or intends to seek compensation for investment banking services from Twist Bioscience Corporation and Zymergen Inc. or an affiliate within the next three months.

Officers and employees of William Blair or its affiliates (other than research analysts) may have a financial interest in securities of Twist Bioscience Corporation and Zymergen Inc.

Please contact us at +1 800 621 0687 or view disclosures on our coverage list.

Additional information is available upon request.

Current Ratings Distribution (as of 6/28/21)

Coverage Universe
Outperform (Buy): 76%
Market Perform (Hold): 23%
Underperform (Sell): 1%

Inv. Banking Relationships*
Outperform (Buy): 29%
Market Perform (Hold): 11%
Underperform (Sell): 0%

* Percentage of companies in each rating category that are investment banking clients, defined as companies for which William Blair has received compensation for investment banking services within the past 12 months.

The compensation of the research analyst is based on a variety of factors, including the quality and accuracy of research, client feedback, contributions to other firm departments, competitive factors, and firm profitability.

OTHER IMPORTANT DISCLOSURES

Stock ratings and valuation methodologies: William Blair & Company, L.L.C. uses a three-point system to rate stocks. Individual ratings reflect the expected performance of the stock relative to the broader market (generally the S&P 500, unless otherwise indicated) over the next 12 months. The assessment of expected performance is a function of near-, intermediate-, and long-term company fundamentals, industry outlook, confidence in earnings estimates, valuation (and our valuation methodology), and other factors. Outperform (O) – stock expected to outperform the broader market over the next 12 months; Market Perform (M) – stock expected to perform approximately in line with the broader market over the next 12 months; Underperform (U) – stock expected to underperform the broader market over the next 12 months; not rated (NR) – the stock is not currently rated. The valuation methodologies include (but are not limited to) price-to-earnings multiple (P/E), relative P/E (compared with the relevant market), P/E-to-growth-rate (PEG) ratio, market capitalization/revenue multiple, enterprise value/EBITDA ratio, discounted cash flow, and others. Stock ratings and valuation methodologies should not be used or relied upon as investment advice. Past performance is not necessarily a guide to future performance.

The ratings and valuation methodologies reflect the opinion of the individual analyst and are subject to change at any time.

Our salespeople, traders, and other professionals may provide oral or written market commentary, short-term trade ideas, or trading strategies—to our clients, prospective clients, and our trading desks—that are contrary to opinions expressed in this research report. Certain outstanding research reports may contain discussions or investment opinions relating to securities, financial instruments and/or issuers that are no longer current. Always refer to the most recent report on a company or issuer. Our asset management and trading desks may make investment decisions that are inconsistent with recommendations or views expressed in this report. We will from time to time have long or short positions in, act as principal in, and buy or sell the securities referred to in this report. Our research is disseminated primarily electronically, and in some instances in printed form. Research is simultaneously available to all clients. This research report is for our clients only. No part of this material may be copied or duplicated in any form by any means or redistributed without the prior written consent of William Blair & Company, L.L.C.

This is not in any sense an offer or solicitation for the purchase or sale of a security or financial instrument. The factual statements herein have been take from sources we believe to be reliable, but such statements are made without any representation as to accuracy or completeness or otherwise, except with respect to any disclosures relative to William Blair or its research analysts. Opinions expressed are our own unless otherwise stated and are subject to change without notice. Prices shown are approximate.

This material is distributed in the United Kingdom and the European Economic Area (EEA) by William Blair International, Ltd., authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). William Blair International, Limited is a limited liability company registered in England and Wales with company number 03619027. This material is only directed and issued to persons regarded as Professional investors or equivalent in their home jurisdiction, or persons falling within articles 19 (5), 38, 47, and 49 of the Financial Services and Markets Act of 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (all such persons being referred to as “relevant persons”). This document must not be acted on or relied on by persons who are not “relevant persons.”

“William Blair” and “R*Docs” are registered trademarks of William Blair & Company, L.L.C. Copyright 2021, William Blair & Company, L.L.C. All rights reserved.