AgriNovus Indiana, a nonprofit coalition focused on growing Indiana’s agbioscience economy, announced today changes to its board of directors.
The board unanimously approved the addition of Craig Anderson, president and chief executive officer of Ag Alumni Seed, Dr. Robert Pepper, president of Huntington University and Eric Young, chief financial officer at BiomEdit, to replace outgoing directors.
“To execute a bold vision, you must have great leaders in place,” said Karen Plaut, executive vice president for research at Purdue University and chair of the AgriNovus Indiana Board of Directors. “The additions of Craig, Robert and Eric bring a varied background of skills, perspectives and experiences to our Board that will be critical to our shared vision of growing this agbioscience economy.”
Andersonis the president and chief executive officer of The Ag Alumni Seed Improvement Association of Romney, or Ag Alumni Seed, a non-profit focused on the research, development and marketing of popcorn seed for domestic and international markets. He most recently served as chief operating officer of Dryland Genetics and has also held several key leadership roles, including chief operating officer, for AgReliant Genetics.
Pepper is the fourteenth president of Huntington University, a non-profit university operating three locations including its home campus in Huntington, Ind. and two others in Fort Wayne, Ind. and Peoria, Ariz. Prior, he was the executive director and assistant to the president for innovation and university partnerships at Messiah University, an institution where he served in roles of increasing responsibility since 1993.
Young serves as chief financial officer at BiomEdit, Inc., an animal health microbial biotechnology company leveraging the power of the microbiome and synthetic biology to develop next-generation solutions for livestock and pet health. He previously led business development strategic growth ventures at Elanco Animal Health and spent 20 years at Eli Lilly and Company across a variety of leadership positions in corporate finance and business development. Eric has served on the Investment Committee Board for the Indiana Biosciences Research Institute.
The AgriNovus Indiana Board of Directors is comprised of leaders from industry, academia and government. Learn more about our members here.
These changes come as the organization continues a national search for its next President and CEO, a process that is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2025. Updates to the search can be found here.
The words talent and shortage come packaged together in nearly every sentence across almost every industry these days. It’s a widespread challenge that raises a bigger question for agbioscience companies. Do our hurdles look like the same as other industries? If not, what do we do next? This week, we are joined by Vivayic’s Agriculture Practice Lead, Blaze Currie. We get into:
His high-level take on the current market overview for talent relative to the workforce needs of other industries
The headwinds facing the agbioscience industry that are uniquely their own when it comes to talent and leadership
A history lesson on how agbioscience got here – and the generational waves that have created the talent disparity we are facing today
How companies will need to adapt in the future to fill their talent needs
Executive and senior leadership positions aging out of the workforce, how those positions will need to be developed and what organizations need to do today to prepare for tomorrow
How Blaze sees the next 10-15 years of talent evolution shaking out in agbioscience – and it looks a lot different than is has in the past
What’s ahead for Vivayic
Poultry industry’s first engineered probiotic biologic moves into final development and regulatory stages for USDA conditional licensure and commercial scale-up
BiomEdit, a pioneering animal health biotechnology company, today announced a significant milestone in the development of BE-101, its lead candidate for the prevention of mortality associated with necrotic enteritis (NE) in broiler chickens. The product has entered the final phase of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) conditional licensure process and is advancing toward commercialization, expected in 2026.
BE-101, which will assume the brand name “Optavant™” upon full licensure, is the first-of-its-kind probiotic vectored antibody (pvAb™) product designed to neutralize Clostridium perfringens toxins – the major cause of NE associated productivity losses, disease and mortality, offering poultry producers a powerful, non-antibiotic solution to a disease that causes an estimated $6 billion in annual losses worldwide.
Recent progress includes:
Completion and USDA approval of all required laboratory safety studies.
Approval of pivotal efficacy study to establish a “reasonable expectation of effectiveness” for USDA conditional licensure.
Acceptance of the Summary Information Format (SIF) and Risk Assessment, and start of the Federal Register Notice process, which precedes the field safety study.
Completion of large floor pen NE challenge trials designed to simulate commercial conditions which demonstrated significant mortality reduction, feed conversion benefits and weight gain, showing BE-101’s potential to address mortality and performance simultaneously.
To support upcoming commercialization, BiomEdit has selected Diamond Animal Health as its contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO). Commercial scale-up activities are in progress.
“These approvals and study results represent a major inflection point for BE-101 and the entire BiomEdit platform,” said Aaron Schacht, CEO of BiomEdit. “We’re pleased to work closely with USDA to bring this novel solution to producers and to secure the right partner in Diamond Animal Health for commercial readiness.”
“We’re proud to support BiomEdit in the advancement of this truly innovative biologic platform,” said Dean Warras, CEO of Diamond Animal Health. “The development of BE-101 represents the future of animal health solutions and will be a game changer for the poultry industry. At Diamond, we bring decades of experience in biologics development and manufacturing, and we’re excited to apply that expertise to help bring Optavant™ to market at scale. This partnership exemplifies our commitment to working with leaders in innovation and to accelerating next-generation products that improve animal health and producer outcomes.”
BiomEdit also announced the successful close of its Series B financing, led by Anterra Capital, with follow-on investment from Nutreco and new participation from AgriZeroNZ, Indiana’s Elevate Ventures, and Betagro Ventures among others. The oversubscribed round (~$18.4M) provides sufficient capital to fund BiomEdit through conditional licensure and into the commercial launch of BE-101.
In support of this next phase, BiomEdit has added two seasoned animal health industry executives:
Kristin Bloink, DVM, MPH, has joined as Vice President of Development.
Andrew Carlson has joined as Chief Commercial Officer.
In parallel, BiomEdit continues to build momentum across its broader pipeline. The company has secured over $1.7 million in new non-dilutive grants to support ongoing and new research programs, including:
A USDA grant targeting Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) with a novel biologic approach.
A National Institutes of Health (NIH) award for early research into a human therapeutic application based on BiomEdit technology.
A Global Methane Hub grant to investigate genetic systems in the rumen. This grant complements the previously awarded Gates Foundation grant of $4.5M received in 2023.
BiomEdit’s methane-reduction platform is also advancing, with its first feed additive candidate now in in vivo evaluation for reducing enteric methane emissions while enhancing cattle productivity.
“We’re pleased to invest in BiomEdit to accelerate the development of an effective methane mitigation solution for grazing cattle in New Zealand and around the world,” said Wayne McNee, Chief Executive of AgriZeroNZ. “BiomEdit’s poultry health product proves its unique, world-leading approach works, and our investment will support them to leverage this expertise to help farmers reduce methane emissions without compromising productivity and profitability.”
“This is an exciting chapter for BiomEdit,” said Schacht. “We are bringing a transformational poultry solution to U.S. broiler producers and pushing the frontiers of sustainable livestock production. In just three years since our founding, we are poised to deliver products to market, with new financing and investor support, as well as additional leadership well-suited for the opportunities and challenges ahead.”
The food ingredients market is expected to grow to $97 billion by 2029. That’s an annual growth rate of just over 6.5%. Central to that growth is the voice of the consumer seeking options to improve their health and ingredients that contribute to their overall wellness. One company has been innovating in this space for generations. Ed Fish, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Varietal Solutions at Bay State Milling, joins guest host Jarrod Sutton from Purdue DIAL Ventures to discuss the market’s rapid change — from consumer demands to regulatory pressures and beyond. We get into:
The overall ingredients market and the perspective on how consumer health is creating new opportunities
Who Bay State Milling aims to serve through innovation, the company’s 125-year family-owned legacy and its growing portfolio
Unique differentiation, being nimble and knowing how to connect food to agriculture
Leveraging their Rothwell Grain Essential Center to work with customers on refining and troubleshooting products – and how their customers participate in the process
New products being rolled out by Bay State Milling in the food is health space, including HealthSense™ (a high-fiber wheat flour) and SowNaked Oats™ (a higher-protein oat)
How the relationships work for Bay State Milling across the value chain – farmers to food companies
How Ed believes the winners of tomorrow are innovating today
What’s ahead for Bay State Milling
GeniPhys, a medtech innovator specializing in next-generation regenerative collagen polymeric biomaterials, has received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its flagship product, Collymer Self-Assembling Scaffold (SAS).
This regulatory milestone paves the way for commercial launch and introduces a novel solution in the wound care market.
“This is a momentous event for GeniPhys and I’m incredibly proud of our team effort in reaching this goal,” said Andy Eibling, president and CEO of GeniPhys. “Achieving this objective supports our current fundraising efforts that will enable commercialization of Collymer SAS.”
Collymer SAS is a two-part, flowable wound management device composed of a highly purified collagen solution and a self-assembly reagent. When combined, the solutions initiate in situ collagen self-assembly, forming a scaffold that supports cellular infiltration and vascularization.
“It’s deeply rewarding to see this technology move closer to clinical use, where it has the potential to address critical unmet needs for millions of patients,” said Sherry Harbin, founder and chief technology officer of GeniPhys. “Our collagen polymer platform was developed to overcome limitations associated with conventional implantable materials, and its ability to adapt to complex wound geometries marks a meaningful advancement for both patients and clinicians.”
Collymer SAS is indicated for the management of a wide variety of wound types, including partial- and full-thickness wounds, skin ulcers (pressure, venous, diabetic and chronic vascular), tunneled or undermined wounds, surgical wounds (donor sites, grafts, post-Mohs, post-laser, podiatric and wound dehiscence), trauma wounds (abrasions, lacerations, second-degree burns and skin tears), and draining wounds. The Collymer platform anchors a growing intellectual property portfolio with nearly 20 issued or pending patents.
Harbin, a professor of biomedical engineering and courtesy professor of basic medical sciences at Purdue University, led the development of the Collymer platform in collaboration with her research team. The technology is exclusively licensed to GeniPhys through the Purdue Innovates Office of Technology Commercialization and is backed by more than a decade of peer-reviewed research that documents the self-assembling behavior and distinctive “regenerative remodeling” of the collagen material in various preclinical models.
GeniPhys is raising capital to support commercialization, including final manufacturing qualification, process validation and scale-up through in-house and contract manufacturing. The company is also pursuing strategic partnerships to accelerate product launch and adoption in the advanced wound care market.
We are excited to announce The Pantheon has been awarded a $15,550 community grant from the Community Collaboration Fund (CCF) powered by Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC).
In an effort to fuel business growth in Knox County, The Pantheon is introducing an 8-week workshop series called Blueprint to Business. The workshops are built for business owners who are tired of the chaos, struggle to stay ahead of the competition, and are ready to fine-tune key parts of their operation to scale smarter.
“We found that a lot of entrepreneurs in our community are struggling with the feeling that they don’t own their business, their business owns them,” said Nichole Like, CEO of The Pantheon. “This program isn’t about starting over. It’s about getting back in the driver’s seat. We want to help make sure that your business works for you.”
Blueprint to Business is one of 28 community-led projects that is being powered by IEDC and will feature workshops on brand identity, financial literacy, profitable pricing, and more. Each workshop is free and open to the public and participants are welcome to attend all eight or choose which will benefit their businesses the most.
“These community projects will ensure that current and future entrepreneurs across the state have access to the programming, resources and support needed to start and scale a business right here in Indiana,” said Secretary of Commerce David Adams.
GeniPhys, a medtech innovator specializing in next-generation regenerative collagen polymeric biomaterials, has received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its flagship product, Collymer Self-Assembling Scaffold (SAS).
This regulatory milestone paves the way for commercial launch and introduces a novel solution in the wound care market.
“This is a momentous event for GeniPhys and I’m incredibly proud of our team effort in reaching this goal,” said Andy Eibling, president and CEO of GeniPhys. “Achieving this objective supports our current fundraising efforts that will enable commercialization of Collymer SAS.”
Collymer SAS is a two-part, flowable wound management device composed of a highly purified collagen solution and a self-assembly reagent. When combined, the solutions initiate in situ collagen self-assembly, forming a scaffold that supports cellular infiltration and vascularization.
“It’s deeply rewarding to see this technology move closer to clinical use, where it has the potential to address critical unmet needs for millions of patients,” said Sherry Harbin, founder and chief technology officer of GeniPhys. “Our collagen polymer platform was developed to overcome limitations associated with conventional implantable materials, and its ability to adapt to complex wound geometries marks a meaningful advancement for both patients and clinicians.”
Collymer SAS is indicated for the management of a wide variety of wound types, including partial- and full-thickness wounds, skin ulcers (pressure, venous, diabetic and chronic vascular), tunneled or undermined wounds, surgical wounds (donor sites, grafts, post-Mohs, post-laser, podiatric and wound dehiscence), trauma wounds (abrasions, lacerations, second-degree burns and skin tears), and draining wounds. The Collymer platform anchors a growing intellectual property portfolio with nearly 20 issued or pending patents.
Harbin, a professor of biomedical engineering and courtesy professor of basic medical sciences at Purdue University, led the development of the Collymer platform in collaboration with her research team. The technology is exclusively licensed to GeniPhys through the Purdue Innovates Office of Technology Commercialization and is backed by more than a decade of peer-reviewed research that documents the self-assembling behavior and distinctive “regenerative remodeling” of the collagen material in various preclinical models.
GeniPhys is raising capital to support commercialization, including final manufacturing qualification, process validation and scale-up through in-house and contract manufacturing. The company is also pursuing strategic partnerships to accelerate product launch and adoption in the advanced wound care market.
Acquisition will unite agricultural powerhouses in soybeans and corn to cement North American leadership, drive growth and deliver greater value to growers.
GDM, a global plant genetics company committed to empowering farmers and advancing global agriculture, today announced an agreement to acquire 100% of the shares in AgReliant Genetics, a leading North American provider of corn and soybean seeds. The strategic acquisition brings together GDM’s global scale, long-time reputation for world-class innovation and elite soybean genetics expertise with AgReliant’s market leadership in corn breeding and genetics, strengthening GDM’s portfolio of high-performing seed solutions for growers and underscoring its commitment to growth in the region.
“The GDM and AgReliant teams share a commitment to helping growers get the highest yield for their fields, and we are excited to welcome them into the GDM family,” said Ignacio Bartolomé, chief executive officer (CEO), GDM. “This acquisition is a significant development for both companies and a major milestone in GDM’s growth strategy in North America. It will allow us to serve farmers with an expanded and differentiated high-performance portfolio of solutions and create new opportunities to drive innovation, accelerate business growth and lead both sides of the acres.”
Founded in 2000 as a joint venture by global seed companies KWS and Limagrain, and headquartered in Westfield, Indiana, AgReliant is a key player in the North American seed industry, serving farmers with corn, soybeans, sorghum and alfalfa seeds through its AgriGold® and LG Seeds brands in the U.S. and its PRIDE® Seeds brand in Canada. The company holds one of the world’s largest North American temperate corn genetic pools and fourth largest corn research program.
Together with GDM’s leading soybean genetic licensing business and own brands, including Mustang Seeds, Revere and DONMARIO, this strategic acquisition, including corn germplasm rights, will enhance GDM’s competitiveness in the market. This expanded footprint enables GDM to offer growers a broader portfolio of solutions while maintaining the company’s focus on high performance and collaboration with the entire agricultural chain.
“Farmers across North America stand to benefit tremendously from AgReliant joining GDM,” said Brian Barker, CEO of AgReliant. “Together, we are combining global innovation with local insights to create a more powerful, integrated seed portfolio that delivers greater value to the farmers we serve.”
Currently the global leader in soybean genetics, GDM is expected to become the fourth-largest corn genetics provider worldwide when the transaction is complete. The integration of AgReliant’s North American operations allows GDM to deliver greater choice to farmers, emphasizing its commitment to innovation and performance. As part of the AgReliant acquisition, Barker is expected to become GDM’s North American business leader. Philip Chandler, who currently serves as GDM’s regional business leader, will continue to oversee GDM’s legacy business in the U.S.
“This is a win-win for our teams and the customers we serve in North America, from individual farmers to independent seed companies,” said Bartolomé. “With this next step in our journey, we are ensuring they can continue to access the world-class genetics, service and long-term partnership they have come to rely on.”
The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals in the United States by the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justice pursuant to the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, and other customary closing conditions and approvals. MAP LATAM served as advisor and Rabobank served as co-advisor to the transaction. Until the necessary approvals and closing conditions are obtained and satisfied and the transaction has closed, GDM and AgReliant Genetics will continue to operate as independent entities, maintaining their current business routines and commercial structures.
The U.S. Economic Policy Institute estimates there are 2.4 million ag jobs in the United States and Purdue University believes that 40% of ag jobs – new jobs – go unfilled. One entrepreneur is turning to the power of digital to transform ag labor. Scott Prince, CEO of Croft, gives us perspective on the current labor market and what he’s solving for using agtech. We get into:
The complexity and challenges of the ag labor market – from seasonality to workforce shortages
How the Department of Labor’s H-2A program is designed to help farmers overcome labor challenges, but the administrative hurdles they face in the process
What the process looks like for farmers to participate in the H-2A program and why Croft was developed as a streamlined solution
Identifying this as a critical need to automate for the farmer
What Scott is hearing from customers using the platform
What’s ahead for Croft – hint: it includes expanding their analytical intensity capacity
