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:

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:

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:

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:

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.

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:

Vivici becomes the first customer at Liberation Labs’ Richmond, Indiana plant for commercial scale production volumes of Vivitein™ BLG, a dairy protein

Liberation Labs today announced a manufacturing partnership with Dutch ingredients startup Vivici. Liberation Labs will produce Vivici’s flagship ingredient, Vivitein™ BLG, at its Richmond, Indiana facility when commercial production begins in 2026.

The New Standard of Protein, Vivitein™ BLG is a dairy protein (beta-lactoglobulin) produced through precision fermentation enabling B2B customers to launch disruptive, differentiated and better overall products to consumers in the US market. These include clear water-based protein drinks with innovative flavors, clean protein powders with superior muscle-building performance and rapid absorption and vegan-friendly protein bars with luscious chewy textures.

“Vivici is a perfect reference case for our facility – a company seeking cost-effective and sustainable manufacturing of a novel protein ingredient that unlocks a range of other healthy and innovative products,” said Mark Warner, founder and CEO of Liberation Labs. “We love what Vivici is doing and will be proud to play a role in their success.”

Liberation Labs is in the late stages of constructing its first commercial-scale, purpose-built, precision fermentation biomanufacturing facility with a capacity of 600,000 liters and a fully dedicated downstream process (DSP). The plant will produce a range of bio-based materials, including building block ingredients for food, chemicals and other industrial products at a scale and cost that will fill a pressing need among both new and established consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies and other industrial manufacturers.

“As awareness of the important role protein plays in supporting active lifestyles continues to grow, American consumers are demanding higher quality and greater quantities of protein in their diets.” said Stephan van Sint Fiet, CEO of Vivici. “Our partnership with Liberation Labs expands our European manufacturing capabilities, providing US customers with increased supply security for Vivitein™ BLG.”

Indiana Governor Mike Braun today issued a proclamation declaring May 5-9 Small Business Week in Indiana, celebrating the impact Hoosier entrepreneurs and small businesses have on the state’s economy and communities. Indiana is home to more than 569,500 small businesses that support more than 1.2 million Hoosier jobs.

“As a long-time entrepreneur and business owner, recognizing this week as Small Business Week in Indiana is a celebration I value firsthand,” said Gov. Braun. “Indiana’s entrepreneurs and small business owners work tirelessly day in and day out and have had a tremendous impact on the state’s economy as well as the neighborhoods and people around them. We are excited to recognize the commitment of not only these seven small businesses, but of all our Hoosier innovators that are setting the stage for a better future for Indiana.”

Under Gov. Braun’s leadership, Indiana is focused on cultivating a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem. The state has been named No. 2 in the U.S. for starting a business by Forbes (2024) and was ranked as the No. 11 emerging entrepreneurial ecosystem in the U.S. in the latest Global Startup Ecosystem Report from Startup Genome. In June, Indiana will host 2025 Global Entrepreneurship Congress (GEC 2025), serving as only the second U.S. destination to host the event since the inaugural convention in 2009.

“Small Business Week in Indiana is the perfect time to honor the contributions of our countless Hoosier entrepreneurs and small businesses and to showcase our commitment to accelerating Main Street innovation and entrepreneurship,” said Secretary of Commerce David J. Adams. “The seven businesses being recognized this week exemplify the spirit and the impact of Indiana’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, providing critical services for residents and contributing to the health and vibrancy of their surrounding neighborhoods.”

This week, the state of Indiana is recognizing seven Hoosier small businesses that have worked with the Indiana Small Business Development Center (SBDC), a program of the state’s Commerce Office, to start, grow or pivot their small businesses. These awards, presented in conjunction with the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) National Small Business Week, honor the entrepreneurs’ and small businesses’ achievements and contributions to grow Indiana’s economy and strengthen communities across the state.

The 2025 honorees are:

To learn more about the many resources available to Indiana entrepreneurs and small businesses, visit iedc.in.gov/entrepreneurship.

The American Farm Bureau estimates that roughly 40% of US farmland is either rented of leased. It’s a reality that creates a labyrinth of contracts and agreements between farmers and landowners that the two have to navigate together. One entrepreneur is turning to the power of software to transform that challenge into an opportunity that makes that relationship a little easier to navigate. Shashi Raghunandan, CEO of Oaken, joins us to talk the complex web between landowners and farm operators. We get into:

The USDA calls biosecurity the cornerstone of animal livestock production and it’s one that’s taken center stage of late as farmers have battled disease. Dr. Kelli Werling, Director of Animal Health Programs at the Indiana Board of Animal Health, joins to talk biosecurity, how farmers are protecting the farm and how the spread of disease among animal production is ultimately impacting consumers. We get into:

Kevin O’Leary, star of “Stark Tank,” entrepreneur and investor, will be the keynote speaker at this year’s RALLY Innovation Conference in downtown Indianapolis.

The conference will take place from Sept. 24-25 at the Indiana Convention Center.

This will be RALLY’s third year. According to a news release, the conference “brings together cross-sector stakeholders worldwide to experience creative convergence across six innovation studios: software, agriculture and food, health care, sports, hard tech and entrepreneurship.”

Event officials said this year’s programming includes a $5 million Pitch Competition, a curated exhibit hall showcasing “cutting-edge innovation” and the debut of the world’s first vibe coding competition.

O’Leary, also known as “Mr. Wonderful,” will share his business experience with the crowd, from what he has learned while being a Shark and the future of the American business.

“Kevin O’Leary embodies the entrepreneurial spirit, no-nonsense approach and business acumen that our conference celebrates,” RALLY Chief Visionary Christopher Day said. “His bold perspective on business aligns perfectly with this year’s theme, Creative Curiosity, and will no doubt provide value to attendees’ innovation journeys. We’re pumped to welcome such an accomplished entrepreneur to keynote this year’s event.”

O’Leary has co-founded SoftKey Software Products, founded O’Leary Ventures and co-founded Storage Now.

For more information about the conference, or to purchase early-bird tickets, click here.

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