AgBiome launches new business unit

AgBiome announced on July 5 the establishment of AgBiome Innovations, the business unit of AgBiome which will commercialize technology using the Genesis discovery and development platform.

"For us, it's always been about finding efficacious, environmentally friendly ways to help growers get more out of their crops," Phil Hammer, director of research, said. "Our team has isolated, sequenced and screened thousands of microbes, and discovered multiple new mode-of-action traits and highly effective biologicals. By establishing AgBiome Innovations and attracting a stellar team to lead it, we are taking the next critical steps to ensure our discoveries are made available to growers with the best possible support and stewardship."

The AgBiome Innovations team is made up of agricultural, turf and ornamental industry leaders including John Rabby, the former group vice president of BASF in North America who will lead the business as the commercial director. Lee Simmons, a plant pathologist and nematologist, will serve as technical director. Ted Piatt comes to AgBiome with 35 years of sales and leadership experience and will serve as AgBiome Innovations’ Sales Director. Kyle Beery, a 20-year biochemical engineer, will coordinate the commercial production of biological pesticides as the Production Manager. Rounding out the team is Natarajan "Bala" Balachander who has extensive experience in new technology development and product commercialization in the agricultural industry; he will be the business development director.

"It's exciting to see our discoveries taken up by the AgBiome Innovation team," says Dr. Kelly Smith, AgBiome's Director of Microbials Development. "There's no better feeling than seeing our efforts in the lab prove out in the field and get in the hands of growers."

The team hopes to release its first product, a fungicide, in early 2017.