EPICS Biotechnology
EPICS Biotechnology develops plant-derived biocontrols using a seed-based expression system that produces high-value biopesticides and biostimulants directly in plant seeds. The company applies protein engineering and gene editing to unlock complex bioactive compounds, offering a sustainable alternative to synthetic chemicals and microbial fermentation. Their molecular agronomy platform aims to reduce crop protection costs while addressing the 50-80% of active ingredients lost to rain, UV degradation, and wind drift.
- Agriculture Technology
- Biotechnology
- Clean Technology
- Software Only
Funding
Founders
Product
Problem
Modern agriculture faces a fundamental delivery inefficiency problem, with up to 80% of sprayed active ingredients lost before reaching their target due to rain wash-off, UV degradation, and wind drift. This inefficiency results in $25-40 billion in annual losses and drives over-reliance on chemical inputs, contributing to resistance challenges in pest management.
Solution
EPICS Biotechnology uses a Molecular Agronomy approach to develop plant-derived biocontrols that complement integrated pest management strategies. The company employs protein engineering and gene editing to unlock bioactive compounds in plants, using seeds as natural biofactories to produce high-value biopesticides and biostimulants. This seed-based expression system reduces reliance on synthetic chemicals and energy-intensive microbial fermentation while delivering desirable traits to producers with speed, low cost, and scalability. The platform aims to help partners build more resilient, diversified crop protection programs with proven bioactives that face regulatory and economic pressure in conventional production systems.
Target Audience
Primary customers are agricultural input companies, crop protection manufacturers, and growers seeking sustainable, cost-effective biocontrol solutions that can be integrated into existing integrated pest management programs.
Features
- Seed-based expression system designed to produce complex biofunctional proteins directly in plant seeds, eliminating the need for microbial fermentation infrastructure
- Protein engineering and gene editing capabilities to unlock bioactive compounds that are difficult to produce through traditional methods
- Plant-derived biocontrols that complement existing IPM strategies rather than replacing current tools
- Platform designed to address resistance challenges tied to simplified practices like herbicide-tolerant GM crops
- Production approach targeting lower input costs for growers compared to synthetic chemical alternatives