Ginkgo Bioworks has joined forces with Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) on a pioneering cancer detection initiative funded by the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H).  

The effort, part of the POSEIDON program (Platform Optimizing SynBio for Early Intervention and Detection in Oncology), positions Ginkgo as the program’s Commercial Partner, with CMU mechanical engineering professor Rebecca Taylor serving as principal investigator. 

The collaboration aims to combine synthetic biology with cutting-edge detection technology to create a first-of-its-kind oral pill embedded with tumor-targeting sensors, paired with a user-friendly at-home cancer screening device. Ginkgo will leverage its expertise in cell and enzyme engineering to drive the development of these tools. 

The innovative pill uses synthetic biology and nucleic acid nanotechnology to sense tumor-specific conditions—including low oxygen, acidity, and lactate—and release reporters that reveal the presence and location of tumors. These synthetic reporters are then excreted in urine, enabling simple, non-invasive testing. 

"Our dual-function approach is designed to provide an unprecedented level of precision, effectively illuminating hidden tumors from within the body, which then signals the presence of disease through a simple urine test," Taylor said. "This is a scientific leap forward that we believe will profoundly change how we approach early cancer diagnostics." 

Jesse Dill, Government BD Lead at Ginkgo Bioworks, added, "We are truly excited to get to support this effort. This type of interdisciplinary teaming, and ambitious vision, are essential for bringing transformative new diagnostics to the market. We hope that patients and doctors will be empowered to make well-informed decisions, to the benefit of all." 

The project also includes researchers from the University of Pittsburgh, University of Massachusetts Amherst, and KU Leuven, alongside corporate partners Velentium Medical, Clinical Research Strategies, and Platypus Bio.