From Benchtop to Breweries: How Whole-cell Synthetic Biochemistry is Transforming Essential Medicine Supply Chains
Christina Smolke
Co-Founder & CEO, Antheia, Inc.
Friday, May 2, 2025
3:00 p.m., 66-110 (2:30 p.m. Reception)
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, MA
Bio
Christina Smolke is CEO and co-founder of Antheia, Inc. and Adjunct Professor of Bioengineering at Stanford University. Prior to Antheia, Christina was a Professor of Bioengineering and Chemical Engineering at Stanford University, the Associate Chair of Education in Bioengineering, and an Investigator at the Chan Zuckerberg Biohub. Christina pioneered a whole-cell engineering approach that enables the design and reconstruction of biosynthetic pathways of unprecedented complexity in brewer’s yeast. At Antheia, she has scaled this biosynthesis technology to rebuild the supply chains for some of the most complex and valuable essential medicines known to humankind. Christina’s impact in advancing the frontiers of biotechnology has been recognized with numerous awards, including Nature’s 10, NIH Director’s Pioneer Award, and Novozymes Award for Excellence in Biochemical Engineering.