Prognosis

Billionaires for a 'Hot Minute': Biotech Slump Whipsaws Boston Founders

Shaky shares can’t stop proliferation of labs, startups around the industry hub

Jason Kelly, co-founder of Ginkgo Bioworks, was a billionaire —  “for a hot minute.” 

Photographer: Adam Glanzman/Bloomberg
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In late 2021, bioengineer Jason Kelly became a billionaire for, as he put it, “a hot minute.”

Investors in Ginkgo Bioworks Holdings Inc., the Boston company he co-founded, had driven its market value above $29 billion. Since then, amid the broad biotech slump, Ginkgo shares have lost 87% of their value.