News

AgroSpheres and BASF Announce Major Strategic Partnership

AgroSpheres, a biotechnology leader in sustainable crop protection and crop health, and BASF, a global leader in agricultural solutions, are excited to announce their strategic partnership on a category defining novel bioinsecticide. This collaboration marks a significant step forward in sustainable agriculture solutions aimed at enhancing crop protection.

The companies are working together to develop biological crop protection products leveraging AgroSpheres AgriCell-powered biomolecules. Both companies are encouraged by the levels of efficacy that have been demonstrated at low dose rates to control key agricultural lepidopteran pests. Both companies are committed to working together to develop innovative and sustainable crop protection products that will increase the choices available to farmers to manage pests and support optimal productivity.

Payam Pourtaheri, CoFounder and CEO of AgroSpheres, stated, “Our partnership with BASF exemplifies the synergy that can be achieved when innovative biotech meets extensive agricultural expertise. The results of our bioinsecticide development are extremely promising, and we are eager to continue our work together to bring effective solutions to farmers worldwide.”

Ameer Shakeel, CoFounder and CTO of AgroSpheres, added, “This collaboration is a testament to our team’s ability to develop novel biomolecules, amplify them with the AgriCell and forge strategic partnerships to reach farmers around the world. We are proud to partner with BASF and are excited about the potential impact of our partnership.”

Both companies are committed to furthering their research and development efforts, with plans to accelerate the development of this product line and launch a pipeline powered by the AgriCell.

Stephanie Jensen, Vice President, Crop System Rice and Portfolio Solutions Insecticides and Seed Treatment, BASF Agricultural Solutions, concluded, “We are incredibly encouraged by the results we’ve achieved thus far and by the potential impact for our customers from this innovative technology. Moving forward, our focus remains on delivering a bioinsecticide that adds genuine value for farmers, promoting higher yields and healthier crops.”

Stefan Tresch, Head of New Technologies & BioSolutions at BASF Agricultural Solutions, remarked, “BASF is dedicated to developing innovative solutions that provide added benefit to our agricultural customers, and we believe in the unique value represented by the AgriCell platform. AgroSpheres has showcased some of the most promising biomolecules we’ve encountered. Our collaboration with AgroSpheres is a testament to the power of partnerships in driving innovation.”

Both AgroSpheres and BASF are dedicated to fostering a sustainable agricultural ecosystem, and this partnership is a crucial step in that journey.

 

Learn more here.

Recent News

10/13/2026

Virginia Western and Radford University sign 3 new agreements to create seamless transfer for medical laboratory science degree

Virginia Western Community College and Radford University celebrated a strengthened partnership on Monday, Oct. 12, that will enable seamless transfer for students in three health-related programs. Virginia Western President Laura J. Treanor and Radford President Bret Danilowicz signed the articulation agreements in a ceremony on the Virginia Western campus. Virginia Western students who meet all requirements and complete …

10/07/2026

Roanoke Lands $1 Million Federal Grant to Equip RoVa Labs Biotech Incubator

The Roanoke City Council has accepted a $1 million U.S. Small Business Administration grant to purchase advanced laboratory equipment for RoVa Labs, a biotechnology startup incubator that combines biomedical research facilities with business development support. Since opening in May 2026, RoVa Labs has grown to house nine research tenants, and officials say the new funding …

10/07/2026

Kaléo Awarded $96.1 Million BARDA Contract to Advance 2-PAM Auto-Injector for U.S. Chemical Threat Preparedness

Kaléo, a global leader in drug-delivery device technology and auto-injector innovation, today announced it has been awarded a Project BioShield contract by the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), part of the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), to support the late-stage development, …