VIB's spin-offs in agricultural biotech

Contributing to sustainable agriculture is what drives our plant scientists. One route to translate discoveries into the market is to set up a start-up company. Over the past 25 years, VIB managed to build a solid reputation in the investment world because of its successful start-up track record.

1997

Devgen

Devgen was VIB's first spin-off. The company started with a nematode/RNAi screening platform, and turned into a seed company by using RNAi for applications in agriculture. Swiss-based agribusiness Syngenta acquired Devgen in 2012, maintaining the R&D activities in the Syngenta Ghent Innovation Center.

1998

CropDesign

CropDesign, currently part of BASF’s Agricultural Solutions division, was established as a VIB spinoff and has grown into a biotech company specializing in plant phenotyping technology. In 2021 VIB acquired the CropDesign site to establish an Agro-Incubator.

2013

Biotalys

Biotalys (former AgroSavfe) develops protein-based biocontrol solutions to help growers address food pests and diseases. The company’s technology platform is based on the Nanobody® technology originally developed at VIB and VUB. In 2021, the company got listed on Euronext.

2017

Aphea.bio

Aphea.bio works on sustainable agricultural products based on natural microorganisms to increase crop yields of wheat and maize. The spin-off pulls together VIB resources and expertise in plant-bacteria interactions and microbiome know-how.

2021

Protealis

Our newest kid on the block, Protealis, aims to harvest the full potential of legume crops with innovative breeding technologies and proprietary seed coatings. Protealis is based on the strategic alliance of research institutes VIB and ILVO and draws on the unique know-how of each of the partners. This includes seed coatings with proprietary yield-enhancing soil bacteria from VIB.

Protealis, harvesting the full potential of legume crops

In April 2021, VIB and ILVO launched the new startup Protealis with the mission to grow more sustainable plant-based proteins locally. With innovative breeding technologies and proprietary seed coatings, Protealis will create new opportunities for European farmers to help overcome Europe’s protein deficit. The initial focus is to develop high-yielding, high-protein soybean varieties. Their ambition is to bring the first soy varieties adapted to local needs to the market by 2022.

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News from VIB's spin-off front

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Click here for the latest press releases of our AgBio spinoffs.

Ghent R&D hub

Today, VIB spin-offs and the VIB research center are part of one of the world’s major agricultural biotechnology research and development clusters, employing over 1,000 people dedicated to plant biotechnology.

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VIB Agro-Incubator

The incubator offers phenotyping services, collaboration opportunities, and lab and greenhouse space for early-stage companies that work on the future of sustainable agriculture and food production.

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