P&G Shares How Biotechnology Fuels Innovation at SynBioBeta 2025
June 15, 2025
The Global Synthetic Biology Conference, known as SynBioBeta, brings together individuals across a broad range of industries who share a passion for advancing biology and sustainability. At SynBioBeta 2025, P&G R&D leaders joined industry colleagues to discuss strategies for achieving their joint goal of applying synthetic biology to develop high performance products that are sustainable.
P&G has a rich history of leveraging biotech for innovation, dating back to our first few branded products derived from tallow waste to make candles, soap and glycerin. Today, we continue to apply biotechnology to unlock superior performance, enhance ingredient sustainability, and deliver high-performing products for hair, health, hygiene, and more.
P&G R&D Takes the Stage: Accelerating Synthetic Biology Innovation for Consumer ProductsOn the Main Stage, P&G R&D leaders Lee Ellen Drechsler, PhD, and Andy Weatherston spoke in a featured session, “From Startup to Scaleup: Insights to How P&G is Harnessing Bio Innovation for Superior Performance and Sustainability.” They highlighted how synthetic biology can positively impact consumer products. The panel reviewed challenges–both technical and societal–we’ll need to solve to get there, emphasizing how corporate organizations and startups can work together to achieve the functional and sustainable product performance that consumers demand.
Several P&G R&D experts were also featured in panel sessions, spanning key themes including innovation, collaboration, and sustainability:
Bridging the Gap Between Biotech Innovation and Consumer Acceptance
Mikah Coffindaffer, PhD, R&D Director, joined a conversation with other leaders in the field to discuss how we bridge the gap between biotech innovation and consumer adoption—building trust, addressing concerns, and effectively communicating the benefits of bio-based products.
Genes to Giants: Strategic Alliances between SynBio and the Fortune 500
Jose Carlos Garcia-Garcia, PhD, Senior Director and Research Fellow, participated in a panel exploring how synthetic biology startups can successfully partner with Fortune 500 companies to scale innovation in consumer products.
Making It Happen: Accelerating the Global Bioeconomy
Amy Trejo, PhD, Director, Hair Care Sustainability, joined a panel of leaders from industry, government, and the community to explore how to overcome key barriers—like scaling, regulation, and investment bottlenecks—to unlock the full potential of the bioeconomy and drive real-world impact from synthetic biology.
Transforming Supply Chains with Designer Proteins
Jose Carlos Garcia-Garcia, PhD, Senior Director and Research Fellow, together with other panel experts, discussed how engineered proteins can transform supply chains, enhance products, and drive sustainability through strategic partnerships and innovation.
Our team at P&G R&D is committed to unlocking the power of biology to deliver sustainably produced, high-performance materials—such as biopolymers, biosurfactants, bioactives, and biofragrances—that meet the needs of people and the planet.
From transforming waste into valuable new feedstocks to embracing the vast potential of microbial diversity, synthetic biology is driving breakthroughs that promote better health and a healthier environment for all. These advances are also driving transformation of global supply networks, making them more resilient, efficient, and secure in the face of growing challenges.
P&G is committed to advancing these efforts to redefine what’s possible in bio-innovation in the pursuit of a more sustainable future.
