BUILT Biotechnologies Named Anchor Company at Commonwealth BioAccelerator, Scaling DNA Manufacturing-as-a-Service to Meet Surging Demand
BUILT Biotechnologies,a rapidly emerging leader in DNA Manufacturing-as-a-Service, has announced its selection as an anchor company at the Commonwealth BioAccelerator, an initiative spearheaded by CvilleBioHub to strengthen Virginia’s biotechnology ecosystem. This designation comes as BUILT relocates its headquarters to CvilleBioHub’s state-of-the-art facilities at North Fork Research Park, positioning the company for rapid expansion in both production and talent acquisition. The move reflects BUILT’s commitment to meeting the increasing demand for high-quality, ready-to-use DNA constructs while fostering growth within the local biotech community.
By establishing a presence at the Commonwealth BioAccelerator, BUILT gains access to a collaborative ecosystem designed to support companies poised for rapid scale. The North Fork facility, a next-generation laboratory space, will enable BUILT to enhance its production capacity, streamline operations, and accelerate delivery timelines, ensuring that innovators across the life sciences sector can access DNA solutions with unprecedented speed and reliability. The company plans to leverage Charlottesville’s rich pool of scientific and technical talent to expand its team, building a workforce capable of supporting both current operations and future growth.
At the heart of BUILT Biotechnologies’ offering is its proprietary Regenerative DNA Assembly™ process. This innovative technology bridges the critical gap between DNA synthesis and the production of fully functional DNA molecules ready for immediate application. Unlike conventional methods that often require time-intensive in-house assembly, BUILT delivers sequence-perfect DNA constructs directly to researchers and companies, enabling them to accelerate research and development programs. The service has attracted a diverse roster of customers nationwide, ranging from top-10 biopharmaceutical companies and university core facilities to smaller biotech startups. These clients leverage BUILT’s DNA constructs in a wide array of applications, including cell and gene therapy, RNA therapeutics, and broader synthetic biology initiatives.
BUILT routinely ships BUILT DNA™, which includes linear and plasmid DNA constructs, as well as “unbuildable” long and complex molecules that traditional methods struggle to produce. This level of capability provides biotech innovators with both reliability and flexibility, removing bottlenecks in the development process and reducing the need for costly in-house assembly. By offering pre-assembled, ready-to-use DNA, BUILT accelerates the path from concept to experimental execution, empowering scientists to focus on innovation rather than logistics.
George McArthur, PhD, CEO of BUILT Biotechnologies, emphasized the strategic importance of the company’s new role at the Commonwealth BioAccelerator. “Our designation as an anchor company validates BUILT’s rapid emergence as the partner of choice for life science operations seeking a more efficient, cost-effective way to access highest-quality DNA,” he said. “The North Fork lab provides the necessary capacity to scale our production and meet the pressing needs of the market. Moreover, it allows us to recruit exceptional local talent and partner more closely with CvilleBioHub to strengthen the biotechnology ecosystem in Virginia.”
The North Fork facility will also facilitate collaboration with the newly established Paul and Diane Manning Institute of Biotechnology at the University of Virginia. This partnership underscores BUILT’s commitment to serving both local and global innovators. By aligning with academic and research institutions, BUILT can integrate cutting-edge scientific insights into its production processes, providing clients with DNA constructs that meet the highest standards of quality and reproducibility. These collaborations further highlight the company’s role as a bridge between academic research and industrial-scale biotechnology applications.
Nikki Hastings, PhD, Executive Director of CvilleBioHub, praised BUILT’s selection as an anchor company, noting its significance for the region’s biotech ecosystem. “BUILT exemplifies the kind of scale-ready company we’re proud to champion in Central Virginia,” Hastings said. “As an anchor company of the Commonwealth BioAccelerator, BUILT strengthens our ecosystem by delivering reliable, fast, and capable DNA manufacturing that growing therapeutics companies need to move from idea to impact.”
The Commonwealth BioAccelerator, managed by CvilleBioHub and supported by both public and private partners, provides companies with the resources, mentorship, and community necessary to scale operations in Virginia. Anchor companies like BUILT play a pivotal role by not only demonstrating successful growth but also by contributing to the broader ecosystem through collaboration, workforce development, and knowledge sharing. For BUILT, this designation marks both recognition of its industry-leading capabilities and an opportunity to shape the future of DNA manufacturing in the region.
In recent years, the demand for synthetic DNA has surged, driven by advances in gene therapy, RNA-based therapeutics, and synthetic biology research. As these technologies move from laboratory experimentation to clinical and commercial applications, the need for scalable, reliable, and high-quality DNA manufacturing solutions has become more critical than ever. BUILT Biotechnologies addresses this need by offering a service model that combines advanced technology, robust quality control, and rapid delivery.
BUILT’s Regenerative DNA Assembly™ process represents a significant leap forward in DNA manufacturing. Unlike traditional synthesis methods, which may be constrained by sequence length, complexity, or error rates, BUILT’s technology allows for the creation of large, intricate DNA molecules that previously would have been considered “unbuildable.” This capability enables customers to explore more ambitious experimental designs and accelerate the pace of innovation across multiple domains, from precision medicine to industrial biotechnology.
The company’s commitment to quality, speed, and customer service has positioned it as a trusted partner for a diverse range of clients. By removing the logistical challenges associated with DNA assembly, BUILT allows researchers and biotech companies to focus on discovery, development, and commercialization. The resulting acceleration of scientific programs contributes to faster development timelines, reduced costs, and ultimately, a more rapid translation of research into therapeutic solutions.
BUILT’s expansion to the North Fork Research Park also represents a broader commitment to fostering the biotechnology ecosystem in Virginia. By establishing a local hub of innovation, the company is contributing to workforce development, creating high-quality scientific jobs, and building bridges between academic institutions, startups, and established biopharmaceutical companies. This local engagement complements BUILT’s national and global reach, positioning the company as both a regional anchor and an international player in DNA manufacturing.
Looking ahead, BUILT Biotechnologies plans to leverage its position at the Commonwealth BioAccelerator to expand production capacity, enhance its service offerings, and deepen collaborations with research institutions and industry partners. By scaling operations in response to growing demand, BUILT is poised to accelerate the pace of innovation in synthetic biology, cell and gene therapy, and RNA therapeutics, supporting the next generation of breakthroughs in life sciences.
In conclusion, BUILT Biotechnologies’ selection as an anchor company at the Commonwealth BioAccelerator marks a significant milestone in the company’s trajectory. Through its innovative Regenerative DNA Assembly™ technology, commitment to quality and reliability, and strategic expansion to North Fork Research Park, BUILT is well-positioned to meet the increasing demand for ready-to-use DNA constructs. The company’s integration into Virginia’s vibrant biotech ecosystem, combined with partnerships with local institutions such as the University of Virginia, underscores its dual focus on global innovation and regional impact. As synthetic biology and gene-based therapies continue to grow, BUILT Biotechnologies stands at the forefront of enabling scientists and companies to translate ideas into actionable solutions, accelerating the path from research to real-world impact.
