EPICS Biotechnology
EPICS Biotechnology develops plant-derived biocontrols using a Molecular Agronomy approach, employing protein engineering and gene editing to produce high-value biopesticides and biostimulants directly in plant seeds. The company's seed-based expression system aims to reduce reliance on synthetic chemicals and energy-intensive fermentation while lowering input costs for growers. Its first Filmax bioadjuvant product is advancing into Phase V development.
- Biotechnology
- Agriculture Technology
- Clean Technology
- Software Only
Funding
Founders
Founder details are not available yet.
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
- Filmax™ multipurpose bioadjuvant platform that accelerates formulation development, enables co-formulation of biologicals and chemicals, and can reduce effective doses of certain actives by up to 60 percent
- Seeds designed to degrade naturally over time without leaving chemical residues or altering the genetics of treated plants
- Platform designed to address resistance challenges tied to simplified practices like herbicide-tolerant GM crops