On October 27, 2021, Arcaea, a company launched on the Ginkgo Bioworks platform, announced its $78 million Series A to build a new, regenerative future for the beauty industry through expressive biology—where biology is used as a creative tool for self-expression. Arcaea, formerly known as Kalo Ingredients, LLC,  will grow new ingredients and product experiences for beauty by leveraging technology such as DNA sequencing, biological engineering, and fermentation to activate unique storytelling. Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati advised Arcaea on intellectual property, patent, licensing and contracts, including its spinout from Gingko Bioworks.

The Series A funding comes from a consortium of strategic and financial investors including Cascade Investment L.L.C., Viking Global, CHANEL, Givaudan, and Wittington Ventures. The financing will enable Arcaea to initiate multiple technical programs across key categories in beauty to develop a pipeline of ingredients and brand launches and create a world of previously unimaginable possibilities in beauty, such as: a fragrance that no one on earth has ever smelled before; proteins that can memorize hair styles; contouring through skincare and not just makeup; and biological filters that protect skin from the elements.

The Wilson Sonsini team that advised Arcaea on the transaction included Matt Bresnahan.

For more information, please see Arcaea’s press release.