Manus and Inscripta Merge to Forge Industrial Biotech Powerhouse

Courtesy: Manus

In a move poised to reshape the landscape of industrial biotechnology, Manus and Inscripta have announced a strategic merger to create an integrated platform for the development, manufacturing, and commercialization of bioalternative products. The new entity will operate under the Manus name, combining the cell factory engineering and commercialization capabilities of Manus with Inscripta’s cutting-edge whole-genome engineering technologies.

The merger marks a significant milestone at a time when the bioeconomy is gaining momentum and market pressure is mounting for sustainable and scalable alternatives to petroleum-based products. By merging their operations, the two companies aim to accelerate the transition from promising biotech innovations to profitable, real-world applications across food ingredients, personal care, and agriculture.

“Industrial biotech is at a turning point and needs to demonstrate execution at scale,” said Ajikumar “Aji” Parayil, founder and CEO of Manus, who will continue to lead the newly merged company. “This merger brings together two cutting-edge technology and scale-up platforms and an unmatched commercial capability to meet the growing demand for bioalternatives.”

With more than 60 consumer products already featuring ingredients developed by the combined company, the merger builds on established market traction and signals a readiness to scale. Among the more prominent commercial relationships is Manus’ alliance with Tate & Lyle, an indication of the company's ability to partner with industry incumbents.

The integration of Inscripta’s genome engineering capabilities is expected to reduce product development timelines and lower production costs, enhancing the competitiveness of bioalternative products. In parallel, the merged company plans to expand domestic manufacturing operations and implement AI-driven process optimization to further boost efficiency and profitability.

“This is about building an organization designed to scale and deliver real-world impact,” said John Stuelpnagel, who served as chairman of Inscripta and will now chair the board of the combined company. “With execution and profitability at its core, the company is focused on rapidly commercializing its integrated pipeline of bioalternatives. I am confident the combined company – with its strong balance sheet and top-tier investors – will be well-positioned for the future.”

The newly formed board reflects the strategic nature of the merger, bringing together leadership from both Manus and Inscripta. Alongside Parayil and Stuelpnagel, the board will include Sri Kosaraju, CEO of Inscripta prior to the merger; Christine Santos, Chief Technology Officer at Manus; Roger Wyse of Spruce Capital Partners; and Jean Nehme, representing Manus’ majority shareholders.

The merger, which has received approval from shareholders of both companies, takes effect immediately. Independence Point Securities LLC served as financial advisor to Manus, with legal counsel provided by Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP. Cooley LLP acted as legal counsel to Inscripta.

As the new Manus begins operations, the biotechnology sector will be watching closely to see how the combined strengths of two high-performing platforms translate into commercial growth—and how quickly the promise of bioalternatives can become the norm rather than the niche.