Betagro Ventures Backs BiomEdit's Breakthrough Poultry Health Solution
BE-101, to be marketed as Optavant™ upon full licensure, is the first probiotic vectored antibody (pvAb™) product designed to help poultry producers combat NE by neutralising Clostridium perfringens toxins. This non-antibiotic solution addresses a disease responsible for an estimated US$6 billion in global annual losses from reduced productivity, illness, and mortality. The product is in the final phase of the US Department of Agriculture's conditional licensure process and is set for commercial launch in 2026.
Chayadhorn Taepaisitphongse, President – Animal Nutrition & New Ventures at Betagro, said: 'We are proud to support BiomEdit in advancing its cutting-edge biologics platform and bringing a first-of-its-kind animal health solution to market. This partnership underscores our commitment to innovation-driven solutions that address emerging animal disease challenges, meet market needs, enhance animal health, boost productivity across the livestock industry, and drive sustainable industry growth. Furthermore, it gives us access to leading advancements in novel feed and animal health products, acting as a catalyst for co-developing future innovations.'
BiomEdit announced the successful close of its Series B financing, led by Anterra Capital with follow-on investment from Nutreco. Betagro Ventures was among the new participants in this oversubscribed ~US$18.4 million round, which also included AgriZeroNZ and Indiana's Elevate Ventures, providing sufficient capital to fund BiomEdit through conditional licensure and into the commercial launch of BE-101.
'This is an exciting chapter for BiomEdit,' said Aaron Schacht, CEO of BiomEdit. 'We are bringing a transformational poultry solution to US broiler producers and advancing sustainable livestock production. In just three years since our founding, we are poised to deliver products to market, supported by new financing and investor partnerships, including Betagro Ventures, and well-positioned for the opportunities ahead.'
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