2017年7月10日,

NewLeaf共生生物作物輸入啟動位於聖路易斯,關閉了一個2400萬美元的C輪孟山都增長企業(MGV)和水獺資本。劉易斯和克拉克企業也參與Rockport Capital Partners,泛大陸企業,開放草原企業等等。公司將用資金來研發團隊規模的三倍,增加其16000平方英尺的設施。它還將建立一個發酵試驗設備用於產品開發和獲得有益的基於細菌的產品(通常稱為“生物製劑”)市場。NewLeaf的第一個產品進入市場將在2017年底或2018年初用於2018年的種植季節,湯姆認字讀書,告訴AgFunderNews CEO。產品最初將製定大豆、花生、玉米、小麥和番茄。該公司一直專注的粉紅色素兼性Methylotrophs (PPFM)細菌自2012年成立以來。這有益菌是存在於所有的植物和植物廢料化合物轉化為有益的營養物質,促進植物健康和收益率。認字讀書把他的生物產品益生菌產品的人類。產品的分布將專注於美國,加拿大,阿根廷,NewLeaf已經成功地駕駛產品三年了。公司專利在美國、歐洲和日本。 Laurita said that much of the biologicals research going on in the industry is unfocused, throwing many different microbes at a common problem to see if something works. “We know that this type of bacteria has many different functions so we’re going to become experts at that rather than do a survey.” Laurita said that the shaky reputation of biologicals to date is part of what caused them to delay bringing their product to market until it had been sufficiently tested with proven success. Though he admits that the entire field has taken a step forward in recent years. “When we started six years ago, the question of how they work was an open question. I think we’re on the next generation of biologicals at this point,” said Laurita. “There have been a lot of snake oil products out there. The wave of everybody and his cousin selling something, I think, is over.” Biologicals can get to market quickly as most escape EPA review. Laurita explained that since PPFM are naturally present in plant life, the EPA only requires registration if a pesticidal claim is being made. NewLeaf’s first two products will not require such a review, but he said the company will be filing for EPA registration for products with pesticidal applications this year. Review takes approximately two years. While biologicals have had a mixed reputation in the past, the big agricultural input players have staked large amounts of capital on their importance as future alternatives, or at least supplements, to conventional, synthetic agrochemicals. For instance, Bayer acquired biologicals startup AgraQuest in 2012 for $425 million and in the aftermath, established a dedicated office for its biologicals group in West Sacramento, CA. German chemical company BASF also made a move in the same direction, acquiring biological seed treatment company Becker Underwood in the same year for $1 billion. Koch Agronomic Services acquired the biological research and development business of Mendel Biotechnology in 2014. Laurita said that he is not looking to rid agriculture of synthetic chemicals as a lot of media coverage of biologicals has indicated. “One of the keys from our point of view is to recognize the place of biologicals in that larger universe. That has been in our DNA from the beginning. We’re not missionaries. The goal is not to change how agriculture works. Let’s understand how it works and understand where biologicals really fit,” a philosophy that jives with their lead investor Monsanto. “Our investors are quite patient and quite involved,” he said. NewLeaf’s strong ties to Monsanto are also deeper than just funding. Last year it hired a Monsanto microbiologist as vice president of research and development. A Monsanto district sales manager also joined NewLeaf as manager of field biology and agronomy last year. Ryan Rakestraw, MGV’s venture principal, said: “The application of these bacteria in agriculture has tremendous potential to enhance yields and improve plant health.” Before this round, NewLeaf raised $24 million in two equity rounds with an additional $3.55 million in debt financing, according to CrunchBase . Related Stories