Intrinsyx Bio

The pursuit of sustainable farming practices has become essential in the face of growing environmental concerns over the excessive use of synthetic fertilizers. While synthetic fertilizers are instrumental in boosting global food production, they can be phytotoxic and lead to decreased crop yield and poor soil health. In addition, synthetic fertilizers result in significant nitrogen losses — nearly half of the nitrogen applied to crops is not absorbed — adversely affecting soil, water, and air quality.

Intrinsyx Bio is at the forefront of efforts to address this challenge. The California-based biotech company has developed -pioneering biological solutions that are rooted in nature. Its innovative approach involves the development and commercialization of naturally occurring endophyte inoculums — beneficial microorganisms that live within plants cells to augment growth and enhance resilience in challenging conditions.

Professor Sharon Doty at the University of Washington spearheaded the discovery and subsequent research of these endophytes. Her extensive research has been published in numerous scientific journals and covered by international media outlets. Over the past three decades, Dr. Doty’s research has shed light on the ability of these microorganisms to increase nutrient use efficiency (NUE) through in planta N2 fixation of atmospheric nitrogen, enhanced soil mining, and acquisition of macro (NPK) and micro mineral nutrients. This process significantly improves nutrient use efficiency and abiotic stress tolerance to drought, salt, flood, and extreme temperatures. Intrinsyx Bio has secured the exclusive licensing rights to these endophytes from the University of Washington, marking a significant milestone in its journey.

Intrinsyx Bio has successfully transitioned research in species and strains of tree endophytes discovered by Dr. Doty into commercially viable products. This process involves meticulous formulation, rigorous efficacy testing, and addressing a host of regulatory and agronomic factors. The company partnered with contract research organizations, universities, and industry giants, including Syngenta and SABIC, to develop, test, and bring to market its crop inoculum products.

Intrinsyx Bio launched its first products in 2022, including endophyte-based seed and foliar applied treatments that enhance crop productivity and resilience in an era of climate change.

“By commercializing three decades of academic research in the plant microbiome, Intrinsyx Bio is enabling farmers to increase crop yields using natural biological solutions that improve nutrient use efficiency,” says Greg Thompson, CEO of Intrinsyx Bio.

Thompson points to the company’s scientific heritage and the strength of partnerships with leading global agricultural companies, resulting in the successful commercialization of products across various markets and applications.

“We are not just another biological platform,” Thompson says. “This is a company built on scientific solutions found in nature, and we are successfully delivering on the promise of improving nutrient use efficiency. We are delivering biology that works.”

Agriculture through Endophyte Expertise

A key differentiator of Intrinsyx Bio’s product offerings is a foundation in natural endophytes, part of a plant's inherent microbiome. This benefits the company's products in both the United States and in international markets such as Europe, where there are stringent regulations against gene-edited and GMO materials. These endophytes demonstrate season-long effectiveness in reducing nitrogen usage requirements and have shown consistent results through many years of trials, including an average yield increase of seven bushels per acre in corn and other grain crops under standard and reduced nitrogen applications.

Intrinsyx Bio’s diversified product portfolio further solidifies its position as a market leader. The company offers foliar, in-furrow, and seed treatment applications in freeze-dried, liquid, and granular formulations. The product line is designed to meet the needs of various application methods and agricultural markets, primarily focusing on nitrogen and phosphorous reduction, crop yield improvement, and overall plant health.

“Looking ahead, Intrinsyx Bio is dedicated to addressing global agricultural challenges that significantly impact crop production, including nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium deficiencies, drought, and hyper-salinity,” says Dr. John Freeman, Intrinsyx Bio’s Chief Science Officer.

The company continues exploring the transfer of adaptive traits from endophytes in their natural habitats to resilient, efficient crops, with the goal of increasing plant yield and improving survival in extreme conditions. Endophyte inoculation enhances plant growth and contributes to soil health and nutrient cycling, aligning with the company's vision for sustainable, long-term agricultural solutions.

In addition, Intrinsyx Bio places a strong emphasis on the durability and adaptability of its microbial products and prides itself on a high level of quality control in manufacturing and distribution. This focus ensures durability across diverse environmental conditions and application methods, underpinning its commitment to providing globally applicable and sustainable agricultural solutions.

Response to Europe's Pesticide Reduction Efforts

In recent years, Europe has seen a considerable regulatory shift aimed at diminishing the reliance on traditional pesticides, with an ambitious goal to reduce pesticide usage by up to 50 percent. This regulatory landscape has prompted farmers and agricultural companies to reevaluate available tools and resources. Amidst these changes, both conventional pesticide and current fertilizer practices are becoming increasingly constrained due to heightened regulatory scrutiny.

Intrinsyx Bio has responded to this evolving scenario by strategically collaborating with key global players in the NUE biological and biocontrol fields. These partnerships underscore a dual focus — on sustaining pest control offerings and exploring innovative biological solutions to address the dynamic needs of modern agriculture. The company’s initial NUE efforts resulted in the development of the leading NUE product in UK’s biological seed treatment market. This best-in-class biological solution improves a plant’s ability to utilize atmospheric nitrogen, potentially reducing nitrogen utilization by 20 to 30 percent. This innovation can minimize the environmental footprint of current farming practices, increase crop yields, improve plant and soil health, and give farmers more flexibility in nitrogen management.

A Diverse Foundation for Agricultural Innovation

Intrinsyx Bio's journey began with an exclusive license from the University of Washington, which allowed it to tap into a diverse pool of talent. This includes expertise from academia, the United States Department of Agriculture, and other specialized private domains.

To strengthen its agricultural expertise, the company strategically expanded its leadership team to include seasoned agricultural experts. This includes new board members who bring 25+ years of direct agricultural experience, as well as an entrepreneurial ethos and a track record of commercial success. The Intrinsyx Bio team understands agriculture and actively participates in it, ensuring a broad and in-depth perspective of the industry's needs.

The strength of Intrinsyx Bio's team lies in its multifaceted expertise, which includes plant biochemistry and molecular biology, agronomy, microbiology, research and development, and field agronomy. Central to this team is Thompson, who plays a pivotal role in the commercialization process and adeptly bridges the business’ technical and market aspects. This synergy aims to propel Intrinsyx Bio's technology to the industry’s forefront and cultivate vital partnerships within the agricultural sector. Through its combination of agronomy, scientific research, and commercial acumen, the firm differentiates itself as one of the leading firms in sustainable agricultural innovation.