About | Solt DB

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

Solt DB is a public benefit company exploring the business of biotech. The finch helps investors learn about science and scientists learn about business.

Subscriptions to investment research ensure our platform has long-term sustainability. That strong foundation allows us to create value for the public benefit.

The finch publishes free, objective analyses of the bioeconomy. We combine clear writing and data visualizations to make nerdy technical concepts accessible, so you can go beyond the headlines on a noisy internet. Subscriptions also allow us to self-fund the development of high quality, open source data assets such as the Solt DB Biotech Company Database. Our unique business model means our incentives are never tied to advertising, clickbait, or corporate sponsors.

A better way to discuss biotech innovation.

Solt DB was founded by a bioprocess engineer who became a financial analyst. Writing thousands of articles for mass media publications provided a front-row seat to how the internet works -- and it's not always pretty.

The dependence on advertising revenue or corporate sponsors can quickly warp incentives, such as prioritizing clickbait and headlines engineered to tickle algorithms over competence. This model predictably leads to errors, inaccuracies, and a poor understanding of some of the most important technologies of the 21st century.

You are not a pageview

Solt DB was founded as a public benefit company to align our incentives with people, not algorithms. The finch generates 100% of revenue from subscriptions, so we're never tempted to write clickbait or take money from corporate sponsors.

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Our platform is truly independent.

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.

An illustration showing differences in the lipid nanoparticles used for two drug candidates from Verve Therapeutics.

See the bioeconomy more clearly.

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

Solt DB leverages 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.

Is that biotech stock a buy?

We don't tell you every stock is a buy. Sometimes good businesses and promising technologies platforms are overvalued -- and it's okay to admit that.

Solt DB Invest quantifies its written research with a real-time Margin of Safety, which shows how much stocks need to rise or fall to reach our fair value.

This chart is interactive, too.

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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