DAY ONE: Innovation & Science
- Donglan Tian - Head of Biologicals CPR, China, Syngenta
Explore the evolution from high-growth excitement to strategic differentiation, examining pricing pressures and competitive dynamics reshaping the sector
Analyse recent M&A activity, investment patterns, and what it takes for biocontrol companies to stand out in an increasingly crowded marketplace
- Mark Trimmer, PhD - Co Founder, Dunham Trimmer
Despite proven impact—such as Dr. Mariangela Hungria's World Food Prize-winning work helping Brazilian farmers save nearly USD 40 billion through microbial biological nutrition across 15 million hectares—the AgBio industry faces a critical funding squeeze for projects, new product development, and market access, particularly in the Global South.
McKinsey's 2024 analysis identifies biologicals in agriculture as the second most powerful climate action for reducing greenhouse gas emissions (at USD 177 per tonne of CO₂), yet the industry must better position these solutions to attract investment from governments, multilateral agencies, venture capital, sustainability funds, and climate action investors.
- Ketan Mehta - President, BioProtection Global (BPG)
Examine the true cost of bringing biocontrol products to market, from R&D investment to regulatory expenses and market entry strategies
Discuss pricing strategies, farmer ROI expectations, and how to compete when differentiation isn't clear
- Matthew Pye - Biologicals Subject Matter Expert, FMC Corp
- John Immaraju - Sr. Director of Product Commercialization & International Product Development, Amvac
- Aaron Kelley - Chief Commercial Officer, NewLeaf Symbiotics
- Donglan Tian - Head of Biologicals CPR, China, Syngenta
- Donglan Tian - Head of Biologicals CPR, China, Syngenta
- Amit Vasavada - Chief Scientific Officer, Invasive Species Corporation
- Sarah Mills - Global Biologics Product Support Lead, Bayer Crop Science
Explore breakthrough innovations in peptide-based biopesticides and RNA interference technology for targeted pest management
Discuss the science behind these next-generation tools and their potential to revolutionise crop protection
- Jiarui Li - CEO, Innatrix Inc
- Donglan Tian - Head of Biologicals CPR, China, Syngenta
- Donglan Tian - Head of Biologicals CPR, China, Syngenta
From Empirical Discovery to Predictive, Programmable Biology: How Invaio's Performance by Design™ platform combines generative AI, machine learning, computational biology, and experimental validation within a fully integrated Design–Build–Test–Learn framework to accelerate the discovery and optimization of peptide-based crop protection solutions.
Building a Commercial Innovation Engine for Sustainable Crop Protection: Case studies demonstrating the progression of peptide-based antifungal programs from field validation toward commercial readiness, alongside the expansion of a diversified pipeline targeting fungal pathogens. The platform enables simultaneous optimization of efficacy, selectivity, safety, and manufacturability, reducing development timelines while improving the probability of success.
Scalable Peptide Discovery for Climate-Smart Agriculture: How a continuously learning, data-generating platform can rapidly respond to emerging agricultural challenges by designing targeted biological solutions in dramatically shorter timeframes, providing highly efficacious, reliable, and affordable alternatives that contribute to more resilient and sustainable food production systems
- Jennifer Lilly - Head of Regulatory and Product Safety, Invaio Sciences
Novel gene edited nematicide/insecticide seed treatment.
From discovery of wild type microbe
Gene Editing & improvement
Greenhouse & field trial results
- Damian Curtis - Senior Vice President of Research & Development, Bioconsortia, Inc
- Mir Seyedbagheri - Director of Research and Development, Biogro
Explore the critical synergy between biocontrol agents and nutrient use efficiency (NUE) technologies
Demonstrating how optimised nitrogen and phosphorus management creates healthier, more resilient crops that respond better to biological pest control whilst reducing environmental nutrient losses
Present field trial data from California's major crops (almonds, grapes, row crops
Biological seed treatments working synergistically with biocontrol programmes—addressing practical integration challenges including application timing, compatibility with biological formulations, and the agronomic principles that determine when "demanding more from plants and less from the planet" translates into commercial success.
- Kuide Qin - Chief Science Officer, Verdesian Life Science
- Donglan Tian - Head of Biologicals CPR, China, Syngenta
- Donglan Tian - Head of Biologicals CPR, China, Syngenta
- Beny Varon - Global Business Development Leader, Humintech
Novel mode of action: Vismax® is a peptide-fuelled biopesticide that awakens the plant's own immune system, offering a persistent and strong defence against both fungal and bacterial pathogens.
Specificity and reliability: The peptide's effect is confirmed through both direct and indirect detection methods, ensuring a specific and dependable plant response.
Formulation and flexibility: Thoughtful design of the active ingredient and finished formulation preserves biological effectiveness, allowing the peptide to remain active across a range of agrochemical mixtures for ease of use by growers.
- Michelle Leslie - R&D Director – Validation and Formulation Development, Elemental Enzymes
Address practical formulation obstacles: storage stability, compatibility with tank mixes, and environmental stress tolerance
Share solutions from industry leaders on extending product viability and farmer confidence
- Donglan Tian - Head of Biologicals CPR, China, Syngenta