About | Solt DB

We grew tired of the hype, so we gave tech bros the bird.

Solt DB is a biotech equities research firm. The finch helps investors learn about science and scientists learn about the business of biotech.

Paying members have access to our investment research and real-money investment portfolio. Solt DB also publishes free articles and data visualizations analyzing the bioeconomy. In addition, we're building an open-source database of every biotech company, past and present, to generate granular insights across all six biotech sectors.

Founded as a public benefit company, Solt DB donates 5% of revenue to Nucleate Pittsburgh to support biotech entrepreneurship in the Steel City and an additional 1% of revenue to Stripe Climate.

See the bioeconomy more clearly.

We don't tell you about biotech. We show you.

Solt DB creates interactive data visualizations to discuss and analyze living technology in vivid detail. From individual company insights to broad trends across competitive landscapes, the finch helps you objectively understand the bioeconomy -- even when trends don't match the headlines.

Click or hover these charts to view data labels.

Insights into today's trends, down to the cell.

Solt DB uses the same illustration tools as scientists publishing in the world's top journals -- a first in finance.

The combination of simple language and clear visuals allows investors of all backgrounds to more deeply understand the biotech stocks they own, while scientists can gain a better grasp of the business of biotech.

Our founder's hype-busting track record includes critical reporting of:

Solazyme's manufacturing miscues (2014), which weren't transparently communicated to investors. A careful analysis of the company's bioprocess metrics and downstream processing hurdles shed light on the problems. The company pivoted multiple times, changed its name to TerraVia, and eventually declared bankruptcy.

Intrexon's financial irregularities (2016), which were detailed in regulatory filings and tips from high-level employees. The company sent our founder a cease and desist letter in an attempt to stop his work. Shortly after an investigation from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Intrexon restructured into separate entities. The cease and desist is framed in our office.

Amyris' chronic mismanagement (2018+) and destruction of shareholder value. The synthetic biology pioneer underdelivered on financial targets for nearly a decade, abused partnerships, and misused Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans intended for small businesses. An article from Solt DB in late 2022 preceded the removal of the longtime CEO, bankruptcy, and delisting from the Nasdaq.

Ginkgo Bioworks' low foundry success rate (2022), which was discovered through a routine Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. A document revealed the company had only commercialized three of over 21 flavor and fragrance ingredients from 2016 through 2022, which helps to explain the pivot toward pharma. An article from Solt DB in late 2022 detailed the findings.

Let's build a better world -- and a better internet.

Information technology is built using joules and bits. Living technology is built using joules, bits, and atoms. That creates additional responsibility.

Biology is an inherently unique technology that requires careful stewardship, thoughtful application, and decentralized access to optimize value creation for all stakeholders and build public trust.

We think those responsibilities extend to information distribution, too.

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About Us

We grew tired of the hype, so we gave tech bros the bird.

We're doing things differently.

See the bioeconomy more clearly.

Insights into today's trends, down to the cell.

Solt DB has an unmatched data advantage.

Our founder's hype-busting track record includes critical reporting of:

Let's build a better world -- and a better internet.

About Solt DB