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The world of agriculture is facing a significant challenge. With the increasing awareness of the harmful effects of chemical-based insecticides on the environment and human health, regulations are changing, and farmers are being forced to reduce their use of these pesticides. This has created a huge demand for alternative solutions that can protect crops from devastating infestations. One company that is working tirelessly to meet this demand is BugBiome, a bioinsecticide developer that is creating a new product to protect crops such as potatoes, sugar beet, and oilseed rape from aphid infestations. The product, an aphicide, has been developed using crop-associated microbes found in plants, offering a more natural and sustainable solution to the problem.
The need for alternative insecticides is urgent, and BugBiome is well-positioned to meet this need. With the current limitations on chemical-based insecticides, farmers are looking for credible alternatives to protect their crops. BugBiome is aiming to develop a range of products that will meet these requirements, and its new aphicide product is just the beginning. The company has made significant progress in developing this product and is now gearing up to run field trials to validate its efficacy. This is a critical step towards commercialization and partnering with other companies to bring this product to market. By developing a range of bioinsecticides, BugBiome is hoping to provide farmers with a toolkit to tackle some of the most significant crop pests, including cabbage stem flea beetles and diamondback moths.
To accelerate the development of its product and tap into the expertise of plant and genome scientists, BugBiome has relocated to the Norwich Research Park in the UK. This move has been facilitated by recent investment from European Agfunds Rockstart and Biotope, which has enabled the company to fund its field trials and further research. The Norwich Research Park is a hub for agri-food research and innovation, and BugBiome is excited to be part of this community. The park is home to the John Innes Centre and Earlham Institute, two world-renowned research institutions that are at the forefront of plant and genome science. By being part of this community, BugBiome will be able to collaborate with experts in the field and access state-of-the-art facilities to accelerate its research and development.
The move to Norwich Research Park is a significant milestone for BugBiome, and the company is excited to be part of the growing agri-food cluster and community activity at the park. Dr. Alicia Showering, CEO and co-founder of BugBiome, said, “Demonstrating field efficacy of our aphid product is a critical milestone for commercialization and partnering. The environment at Norwich Research Park will enable us to accelerate not only this product but also the broader portfolio of new bioinsecticide solutions farmers urgently need.” The company’s existing investors, including Cambridge Angels, Discovery Park Ventures, IndieBio/SOSV, and AgLaunch, are also excited about the potential of BugBiome’s technology and are supporting the company’s ongoing fundraising round.
The Norwich Research Park is a unique ecosystem that supports innovative companies like BugBiome. Roz Bird, CEO of Anglia Innovation Partnership, the campus management organization for Norwich Research Park, said, “We are delighted to welcome BugBiome to our campus, adding another highly innovative agri-biotech start-up company to our community. Over the last three years, we have developed a supportive ecosystem including a successful incubator programme to support spin-outs, spin-ins, and start-ups as they establish themselves and grow.” The park’s supportive ecosystem and access to world-class research facilities make it an ideal location for companies like BugBiome to develop and commercialize their products.
As BugBiome looks to the future, the company is excited about the potential of its technology to make a significant impact on the agricultural industry. With the increasing demand for sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions, BugBiome is well-positioned to meet this need. The company’s relocation to Norwich Research Park is a significant milestone in its journey, and it is excited to be part of the agri-food community at the park. With its innovative approach to developing bioinsecticides, BugBiome is hoping to revolutionize the way farmers protect their crops and contribute to a more sustainable food system. As Dr. Showering said, “The move to Norwich places us at the heart of the UK’s agri-biotech community. Our relocation and integration have gone well, and we are delighted to enter the next phase of our development here.”
