Why we invested: PheroSyn

The global agriculture landscape is facing significant challenges. Up to 40% of annual crop yield is lost to pests and diseases, as reported by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The economic cost of invasive insects alone is estimated to be in excess of $70 billion. Additionally, viral diseases, often spread by insects, accrue an additional $200 billion in yearly damages.

PheroSyn - an innovative agricultural technology company, is focusing on a sustainable solution to this global issue, with the production of insect pheromones.

Once a spin-out from Rothamsted Research, PheroSyn is at the cutting edge of agricultural pest control transformation through its novel work in creating synthetic insect pheromones at scale. The use of these pheromones replaces traditional insecticides and allows for a precise and sustainable approach to crop treatment.

Expected regulatory changes will continue to move farmers away from using traditional pesticides, and replace them with healthier alternatives. PheroSyn’s insecticide-free solution mitigates the environmental impact associated with the use of traditional and indiscriminate pesticides, providing a sustainable alternative. 

PheroSyn's strength lies in its streamlined synthesis process; drastically reducing manufacturing complexity and cost. This efficiency allows the pheromones to be price-competitive in comparison to traditional pesticides. To date, the company has conducted 25 field trials, validating the efficacy of its five products. This has allowed them to begin building strategic partnerships with several industry leaders.

The PheroSyn team is led by Dr. Mary Ellis (Co-Founder, CEO) and Daniel Bahia (Co-founder, Director of Operations), who bring a wealth of experience to the table. Dr. Ellis has 20+ years of experience in life sciences and Agri-Tech and has co-founded five companies. Daniel Bahia's expertise in Operations and Synthetic Organic Chemistry adds a strategic dimension to the team.

PheroSyn is currently raising a pre-seed round and has successfully secured grant funding from Innovate UK. This funding will go towards:

• Safeguarding intellectual property

• Ongoing trial activities

• Acquiring new equipment

• Expanding laboratory facilities 

• Refining their IP position 

• Growing their team.

We are excited about the potential impact of PheroSyn's technology on global agriculture and are delighted to include them in our investment portfolio. We look forward to collaborating with Pherosyn on this transformative journey.

For more information about PheroSyn, head to their website.