Twist Bioscience Continues Support for Next Generation of Synthetic Biologists Through Work with iGEM Competition

As a long-time supporter of iGEM, in 2019 Twist provided a streamlined approach to change the way iGEM Competition teams contribute to the Registry of Standard Biological Parts, a free online database for synthetic biologists. Teams now submit their part sequences and documentation to the Registry and Twist then synthesizes samples of these parts for the following year’s competition. In addition to synthesizing the parts, Twist is providing all iGEM teams with 10kB of synthetic DNA to support their project.

A new addition to the iGEM line up this year, Twist is partnering with its customer Ginkgo Bioworks on the “Ginkgo Challenge” during the iGEM workshop sessions. The Ginkgo Challenge is a pitch competition to elevate ideas for how to make biology easier to engineer. Teams will submit pitches through the weekend here with the five top ideas selected on November 17^th to pitch to Ginkgo’s panel of three judges live on the 18^th. The winner will receive expert consultation in advanced biological design as well as 50kB of synthetic DNA in Twist plasmids.

“The next generation of synthetic biologists across the globe compete at iGEM, bringing their best ideas for solving global challenges head-on,” said Emily Leproust, Ph.D., CEO and co-founder of Twist Bioscience. “We, at Twist, are strong supporters of employing science education, engineering prowess and creative engagement to overcome obstacles. Through iGEM and the Ginkgo Challenge, we have the opportunity to invest in and inspire the bright minds that will drive our world forward, applying synthetic biology and engineering principles and we cannot wait to see their solutions.”

The International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) Foundation is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of synthetic biology, education and competition, and the development of an open community and collaboration. This is done by fostering an open, cooperative community, and friendly competition.

iGEM’s biggest program is the iGEM Competition. The iGEM Competition gives students the opportunity to push the boundaries of synthetic biology by tackling everyday issues facing the world. Made up of primarily university students, multidisciplinary teams work together to design, build, test, and measure a system of their own design using interchangeable biological parts and standard molecular biology techniques. Every year nearly 6,000 people dedicate their summer to iGEM and then come together in the fall to present their work and compete at the annual Jamboree.

About Twist Bioscience Corporation

Twist Bioscience is a leading and rapidly growing synthetic biology and genomics company that has developed a disruptive DNA synthesis platform to industrialize the engineering of biology. The core of the platform is a proprietary technology that pioneers a new method of manufacturing synthetic DNA by “writing” DNA on a silicon chip. Twist is leveraging its unique technology to manufacture a broad range of synthetic DNA-based products, including synthetic genes, tools for next-generation sequencing (NGS) preparation, and antibody libraries for drug discovery and development. Twist is also pursuing longer-term opportunities in digital data storage in DNA and biologics drug discovery. Twist makes products for use across many industries including healthcare, industrial chemicals, agriculture and academic research.

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Legal Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained herein, are forward-looking statements reflecting the current beliefs and expectations of management made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other important factors that may cause Twist Bioscience’s actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, among others, the risks and uncertainties of the ability to attract new customers and retain and grow sales from existing customers; risks and uncertainties of rapidly changing technologies and extensive competition in synthetic biology could make the products Twist Bioscience is developing obsolete or non-competitive; scientific unknowns and new information relating to the SARS-CoV-2 virus; the duration, extent and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic; supply chain and other disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic or otherwise; uncertainties of the retention of a significant customer; risks of third party claims alleging infringement of patents and proprietary rights or seeking to invalidate Twist Bioscience’s patents or proprietary rights; and the risk that Twist Bioscience’s proprietary rights may be insufficient to protect its technologies. For a further description of the risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from those expressed in these forward-looking statements, as well as risks relating to Twist Bioscience’s business in general, see Twist Bioscience’s risk factors set forth in Twist Bioscience’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 12, 2020. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date hereof, and Twist Bioscience specifically disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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