Bionema Opens Core Biocontrol Technology Platforms

November 9, 2026

Bionema Opens Core Biocontrol Technology Platforms

Bionema Group, a Swansea University spin-out developing biological crop protection and plant health technologies, today confirmed it is actively seeking strategic technology, licensing and distribution partners to extend global access to its three core platforms: Incapsulex® (microencapsulation), Adhesulex™ (delivery and surfactant technology) and BiofilmTech® (biofertiliser and soil-health platform).

Bionema Opens Core Biocontrol Technology Platforms

The announcement comes as major global crop protection companies substantially increase investment in biologicals, increasingly through partnership and licensing models rather than solely internal development. Bayer has set a target of €1.5 billion in biologicals sales by 2035, Corteva has targeted US$1 billion by the end of the decade following its acquisitions of Stoller and Symborg, and FMC has targeted US$2 billion by 2033. Industry commentary points to increasing consolidation among the largest players, with specialised technology developers increasingly choosing licensing, technology-transfer and strategic-partnership routes to scale internationally.

“We built Bionema’s platforms — Incapsulex®, Adhesulex™ and BiofilmTech® — to solve the formulation and delivery problems that limit the field performance of biological actives, whether ours or a partner’s,” said Dr Minshad Ansari, Founder and CEO of Bionema Group. “As the industry’s largest players compete to build biologicals businesses at scale, we see a clear role for Bionema as a technology partner: licensing proven platforms to companies that already have the registration, manufacturing and commercial reach to bring them to farmers faster than we could alone.”

Platform technologies available for licensing and partnership

Incapsulex® — a proprietary microencapsulation platform (patent pending) applied across fungal, bacterial and nematode actives, extending ambient shelf life to 17+ months and improving field persistence and delivery of biological actives.

Adhesulex™ — a next-generation biodegradable polymer surfactant and delivery technology, already commercialised in the UK and expanding into global markets, designed to improve spreading, adhesion and target delivery of biological actives.

BiofilmTech® — a microbial consortium and biofertiliser platform developed through UK Government-backed R&D programmes, aimed at reducing reliance on synthetic fertiliser while improving nutrient-use efficiency and soil health.

Independent validation

Bionema’s technology has previously been validated commercially: in 2021, Syngenta Crop Protection acquired two Bionema-developed bioinsecticide products, now sold as part of Syngenta’s portfolio. Bionema’s intellectual property has since been independently valued at £6.9 million (Inngot UK, 2025), and the company has four patents filed. Bionema has also been nominated for a 2026 award by the International Biocontrol Manufacturers Association (IBMA), and has received the UK’s King’s Award for Enterprise twice: for Innovation (2024) and for Sustainable Development (2026).

About Bionema Group

Founded in 2012 as a spin-out from Swansea University, Bionema Group develops biological crop protection and plant health technologies, including biopesticides, biostimulants, biofertilisers and proprietary formulation and delivery platforms. The company’s mission is to reduce reliance on synthetic pesticides and fertilisers through science-led biological alternatives.

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