Founded April 2017; incubated July 2018
Stage Technology development
Investors Trendlines Incubators Israel, Bayer Trendlines Ag Innovation Fund
CEO Shir Baor
IBI-Ag is discovering and developing natural single domain antibody-based biological insecticides for increased crop production without causing any harm to farmers, consumers and the environment.
The breakthrough technology presents a new mode of action, making it an effective alternative to technologies that focus solely on the insect’s nervous system and are unsafe for human consumption.
Experienced entrepreneur with extensive leadership and team building experience, both in a startup environment and in large organizations
10+ years’ R&D experience in biotech start-ups, including leading R&D in two incubator companies involved in virology and synthetic biology; postdoctorate, Weizmann Institute of Science; PhD, agriculture, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
25+ years’ experience in insect physiology, neurobiology, and behavior research; recently funded projects include Ministry of Agriculture’s Center of Excellence for developing novel approaches to fight locusts; professor, School of Zoology, Tel Aviv University
A market for bioinsecticides is growing rapidly each year due to their low toxic impact on humans, animals, the environment, and increased legislation against traditional pesticides. With insects causing damages in billions of dollars annually, the agricultural market is still largely dependent on synthetic pesticides for crop protection, despite their toxicity and reduced efficacy because of increased insect resistance. Broad crop distribution continues to spread the insect pest problem globally, producing a dire need for novel and effective organic formulations.
As chemical insecticides become less effective and are subject to increasingly stringent regulations, growers are more willing to try biological options because they cost less and offer a greener, more effective option. Today, biopesticides make up only 7% of the total crop protection market, approximately $5 billion in value worldwide (Dunham Trimmer).
The bioinsecticides sector is projected to reach $10 billion by 2025, at a CAGR of 17%. IBI-Ag is positioned at the forefront of developing new technologies in the biopesticides market as its novel solutions help solve the global insect epidemic.
