Firms Partner on DNA Data Storage

The partnership leverages imec's 300mm silicon platform to manufacture a custom nano-scale array of electrochemical cells directly on top of a CMOS ASIC designed by Atlas. This integrated chip is the core of their strategy, designed to orchestrate millions of individual DNA synthesis sites simultaneously to massively increase data writing throughput. Atlas Data Storage was spun out of Twist Bioscience in May 2025, launching with $155 million in seed funding to commercialize DNA-based storage solutions. The company, founded by Bill Banyai, focuses on developing end-to-end systems, including specialized hardware for writing and reading data encoded in synthetic DNA. Imec, a globally recognized nanoelectronics research hub based in Belgium, provides the advanced semiconductor fabrication capabilities essential for scaling the technology. Beyond technical development and prototyping, imec is also making a direct financial investment into Atlas Data Storage as part of its venture development strategy. The push for DNA storage is driven by the exponential growth of data, with forecasts predicting over 284 zettabytes generated annually by 2027. Traditional magnetic media like hard drives and tapes are facing limitations in density and long-term reliability, requiring costly data migration every few years. DNA offers unparalleled storage density, with the potential to store hundreds of petabytes in a single gram. When properly encapsulated, synthetic DNA is stable for thousands of years, eliminating the need for data migration that plagues current archival methods. However, the technology faces significant hurdles, primarily the high cost of DNA synthesis and slow read/write speeds compared to electronic media. The Atlas-imec collaboration directly targets the writing speed bottleneck by anchoring the solution in CMOS technology to achieve the necessary scale for commercial viability. This silicon-based approach represents a key strategy in a competitive field that includes major tech players like Microsoft and IBM, alongside various startups. The market for DNA data storage is projected to grow from USD 76 million in 2024 to over USD 3.3 billion by 2030.