BugBiome moves from Cambridge to Norwich Research Park
BugBiome is developing a new bioinsecticide product, an aphicide which aims to provide protection to crops such as potatoes, sugar beet and oilseed rape against aphid infestations which can devastate harvests. The product has been developed from using crop-associated microbes found in plants.
Changes in regulations means that farmers are having to reduce the amount of chemical-based insecticides they use on their crops. That means the agriculture industry is actively looking for credible alternatives. Currently, they have few options but BugBiome is aiming to develop a range of products that will meet these requirements.
There are a number of reasons why BugBiome has moved - firstly, to run and validate field trials for its new product. Secondly, to conduct further research using specialist laboratories. And thirdly, to tap into the expertise of the plant and genome scientists at the John Innes Centre and Earlham Institute, all of which are in close proximity on one site. The BugBiome team will also benefit from being part of the growing agri-food cluster and community activity at the Park campus.
Previously based at the National Institute for Agricultural Botany (NIAB) in Cambridge, BugBiome will be testing the efficacy of its aphicide product in field trials next year. It has been able to make the move and fund its trials and further research following recent investment from European Agfunds Rockstart and Biotope.
Proceeds from its ongoing fundraising round will further support the development and commercialisation of its discovery platform, AvidX, as well as generating a pipeline of products targeting cabbage stem flea beetles, diamond back moth and beyond, broadening BugBiome’s reach across major crop pests. BugBiome’s existing investors include Cambridge Angels, Discovery Park Ventures, IndieBio/SOSV and AgLaunch.
Dr Alicia Showering, CEO and co-founder of BugBiome, said “Demonstrating field efficacy of our aphid product is a critical milestone for commercialisation and partnering. The environment at Norwich Research Park will enable us to accelerate not only this product, but also the broader portfolio of new bioinsecticide solutions farmers urgently need.
“The move to Norwich places us at the heart of the UK’s agri-biotech community. Our relocation and integration have gone well and we are delighted to enter the next phase of our development here.”
Roz Bird, CEO of Anglia Innovation Partnership, the campus management organisation for Norwich Research Park, adds: “We are delighted to welcome BugBiome to our campus, adding another highly innovative agri-biotech start-up company to our community. Over the last three years, we have developed a supportive ecosystem including a successful incubator programme to support spin-outs, spin-ins and start-ups as they establish themselves and grow.
“We have a unique breadth and depth of scientific activity, on one campus, specialising in agri-food, health and the environment, using biology, in multidisciplinary teams, to achieve healthy plants, healthy people and a healthy planet. We are looking forward to supporting BugBiome’s next phase of development and helping it to achieve its business ambitions.”