Biotalys And 21st.bio Enter Into Strategic Partnership To Advance Biocontrol Production
24 January 2026, Belgium: Biotalys (Euronext: BTLS) and 21st.BIO, a leading Danish precision fermentation technology company, have entered into a strategic partnership to accelerate the production of Biotalys’ protein-based biocontrol solutions. This collaboration will leverage 21st.BIO’s proprietary fermentation platform to support the production of Biotalys’ AGROBODY agricultural biocontrol products at commercially competitive costs.
21st.BIO offers an industry-leading precision fermentation platform, powered by production strains refined over more than four decades and proven in broad commercial use. Part of 21st.BIO’s advanced precision fermentation technology is licensed from Novonesis, and the new collaboration will integrate 21st.BIO’s capabilities with prior work conducted by Biotalys and Novonesis. This collaboration is expected to expand process development options and support efficient, large-scale manufacturing of Biotalys’ precision biocontrol products.
“This partnership marks an important strategic step in strengthening the technical backbone of our AGROBODY platform,” said Kevin Helash, CEO of Biotalys. “By combining 21st.BIO’s proven fermentation expertise with our own innovation in protein-based biocontrols, we are reinforcing the foundation needed to support a growing and differentiated product portfolio.”
“Our collaboration with Novonesis and its relationship to 21st.BIO were critical in unlocking this next step toward advancing our first commercial product, EVOCA™ NG, and other products in our pipeline toward commercialisation,” he added.
Thomas Schmidt, co-founder and CEO of 21st.BIO, added: “21st.BIO was founded on the ambition to bring promising lab-scale innovation to reliable, cost effective, industrial-scale biotech production – as fast as possible, and with reduced risk. We are proud to help Biotalys reduce production costs and increase speed to market with our leading precision fermentation technology. Our collaboration will ensure that powerful protein-based biocontrols like EVOCA NG become a sustainable, and cost-effective option for growers around the globe, so we can support a safer, more secure food chain for all.”
In line with the transition to this new agreement, Biotalys and Novonesis will conclude their collaboration. Biotalys is in discussions with manufacturing and distribution partners globally to secure its commercialisation strategy. The company expects to have all key arrangements in place well ahead of the launch of EVOCA NG, subject to registration which is currently foreseen for 2028-29 in the U.S. and 2029-30 in the E.U.
Update on plans to fund next phase of development
To support these continued advancements, Biotalys confirms its cash runway into May 2026 as previously announced. The company is considering additional financing through equity from institutional investors or otherwise, to fund the route to commercialization of EVOCA NG and the continued development of its portfolio of novel AGROBODY biocontrols on its technology platform.**
* The inside information in this press release only relates to the partnership with 21st Bio and the collaboration with Novonesis.
** Financing could be through equity from institutional investors, including main existing shareholders, on the basis of public offering exemptions under applicable laws, or otherwise.
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