SHAKE Case Study – SugaROx

Targeted approach to boosting crop yields

Increasing crop yields or maintaining them under adverse weather conditions are challenges facing farmers across the world. SugaROx is developing biostimulant formulations of plant-inspired molecules to target bottlenecks in crop production through a precision approach.

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Aim: To boost crop yields in a nature-friendly way without reliance of synthetic nitrogen fertilisers, which are a key component of agricultural greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

How: Behind the novel active ingredients the company is developing lies more than two decades of scientific research into the way plants use and allocate carbon. Its targeted approach is fundamentally different to the majority of players in the biostimulant market, whose products are largely based on extracts from marine plants, algae or organic waste.

Research: SugaROx’s inaugural technology is based on 25 years of UK taxpayer-funded research into the role of a specific sugar called trehalose-6-phosphate, or T6P, which has been found to regulate carbon use and allocation in plants.

Visit the SugaROx website.

Dr Bianca Forte, Business Development Director at SugaROx, explains:

“Traditional biostimulants have been around for many years and typically deliver yield gains of 2-5% for farmers. […] We’re developing active ingredients, modelled on nature, to make specific biochemical processes in plants more efficient. Across international field trials, the first active ingredient in our pipeline has shown potential to boost yields by up to 5-22% where crops are growing in good conditions and 4-14% when under drought stress."

From lab to field

The discovery

 

  • Matthew Paul, a researcher at Rothamsted Research, discovered the significance of T6P in plant growth and its potential to boost crop yields.
  • T6P is a natural signaling molecule that regulates sugar use in plants. By increasing T6P levels, plants can become more efficient in utilising sunlight and nutrients.

The breakthrough

 

  • Researchers at Oxford University and Rothamsted Research developed a modified version of T6P that could be easily absorbed by plants.
  • This modified T6P can penetrate plant cells and increase their internal T6P levels, leading to improved growth and yield.

Field trials and commercialisation

 

  • Extensive field trials conducted by SugaROx demonstrated the effectiveness of the technology in increasing crop yields, particularly in wheat.
  • In 2020, SugaROx was founded to commercialise this innovative approach to sustainable agriculture.
  • The company aims to provide farmers with a natural and environmentally friendly solution to boost crop productivity and address global food security challenges.

The impact

 

  • SugaROx's technology offers a promising solution to increase crop yields without relying on excessive fertilizer use.
  • This can help reduce the environmental impact of agriculture and contribute to more sustainable farming practices.
  • By increasing crop yields, SugaROx's technology can help address global food security challenges and ensure a sustainable food supply for future generations.

Derisking a risky business

 

  • Securing Initial Funding: SugaROx successfully pitched to the SHAKE Climate Change panel, securing £140,000 investment in 2021.
  • Leveraging the SHAKE Accelerator: The SHAKE programme provided mentorship and funding to help SugaROx identify key risks and develop a strategy for raising funds.

Overcoming challenges and securing investment

 

  • Addressing regulatory hurdles: SugaROx faced challenges due to the lack of clear regulations for biostimulant products in some markets.
  • Navigating investor concerns: Investors were wary of the long timelines, high capital needs, and significant scientific and regulatory risks associated with agricultural R&D.
  • Securing venture capital: SugaROx secured over £1million in seed funding from Regenerate Ventures and UKI2S, with the support of Innovate UK's CIPs grant.

The role of government support

 

  • Addressing regulatory hurdles: SugaROx faced challenges due to the lack of clear regulations for biostimulant products in some markets.
  • Navigating investor concerns: Investors were wary of the long timelines, high capital needs, and significant scientific and regulatory risks associated with agricultural R&D.
  • Securing venture capital: SugaROx secured over £1 million in seed funding from Regenerate Ventures and UKI2S, with the support of Innovate UK's CIPs grant.

Key takeaways

 

  • Importance of mentorship and funding: Early-stage support from programs like SHAKE is essential for de-risking and scaling agri-tech businesses.
  • Power of clear regulations: A well-defined regulatory framework can attract investment and accelerate commercialization.
  • Role of risk mitigation: By addressing regulatory hurdles and demonstrating the potential of their technology, SugaROx has successfully attracted significant investment.

Dr Forte explains:

“With the initial investment obtained through SHAKE, we secured a Farming Innovation Pathway (FIP) grant from Defra to assess the feasibility of our approach. We developed and tested prototype formulations, commissioned initial toxicology studies to draft a registration strategy, and streamlined the synthesis process for our T6P. The SHAKE experience also gave us visibility and credibility with venture capital investors who later became critical for our continued growth."

Dr Forte continues:

“Every time we were able to bring in grant funding, we were able to do work to further derisk the business and make it a more attractive proposition for private investors.”

 

Find out more:

Find out more about SugaROx: https://sugarox.co.uk/

Find out more about SHAKE Climate Change: https://www.shakeclimate.org/

Read the full case study:

SHAKE Case Study – SugaROx

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