ZymoChem collaborates with Los Alamos National Laboratory in development of bio-based adipic acid. September 29, 2026 The biotechnology company ZymoChem recently announced a new Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the U.S. Government and the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL). The agreement, administered through the Agile BioFoundry (ABF) and supported by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), will advance ZymoChem's development of bio-based adipic acid, a key precursor to bio-nylon 6,6. Under the agreement, ZymoChem and LANL will collaborate on metabolic engineering of E. coli to produce adipic acid in economically feasible quantities and rates. ZymoChem's proprietary carbon-conserving pathways are designed to maximize theoretical yield, and the collaboration will focus on improving the titer and rate of production. LANL will apply technologies developed through the Agile BioFoundry, including biosensor adaptation, enzyme engineering, and adaptive laboratory evolution, to help accelerate strain engineering breakthroughs that will bring bio-adipic acid to commercial-scale production. Looking for a reprint of this article? From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today! JOIN TODAY to unlock your recommendations. Already have an account? Sign In

ZymoChem, a specialty chemicals company focused on biological manufacturing, has secured $4 million in renewed federal funding from the US Department of Energy (DOE). Combined with a $1 million cost share, the award totals $5 million and aims to rebuild domestic supply chains for high-performance materials. The company will lead a consortium including Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, working on bio-based intermediates that replace petroleum-derived precursors in high-performance polymers. ZymoChem is also conducting additional DOE-funded projects totalling approximately $650,000 at Lawrence Berkeley and Oak Ridge National Laboratories. The work focuses on developing bio-adipic acid and expanding the company's bio-based materials platform. Investors include lululemon athletica and Toyota Ventures.