SugaROx

With climate change and the increasing pressure on farmers to maximize productivity with limited resources, there is an even greater demand for technological innovations in agriculture.

SugaROx, a prominent player in the biostimulant sector, addresses this demand. Poised to transform agriculture with its advanced, precision technology, the firm draws on over two decades of research funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC). It seeks to commercialise a platform technology designed to address specific bottlenecks in plant biology to develop biostimulants that enable farmers to make more efficient use of resources and improve crop resilience under challenging environmental conditions.

Bianca Forte, the Business Development Director, substantiates SugaROx's proposition saying, “While 90 per cent of the products available to farmers today are mixes of ingredients, we are developing single-molecule formulations whose active ingredients are inspired by very powerful plant molecules.” This approach has the potential to deliver unprecedented yield gains. “The first active ingredient in our pipeline, a modified version of trehalose-6-phosphate (T6P), has potential to boost wheat yields by up to 22 per cent under good growing conditions and 14 per cent under drought stress.”

Ushering the Next-Generation of Agricultural Technology

“T6P is a natural sugar found in all plants and plays a crucial part in regulating carbon use and allocation to grains and other developing tissues,” explains Dr. Cara Griffiths, SugaROx’s Chief Technology Officer. “T6P interacts with an enzyme called SnRK1, which is a major sucrose energy use regulator that activates genes and biochemical pathways associated with primary plant processes such as growth, development and seed setting. When SnRK1 is widely available and active within the plant, it signals a state of famine, indicating low availability of carbon energy. Conversely, when SnRK1 is inhibited by T6P, it signals a state of feast, indicating an abundance of energy and carbon, thus accelerating growth, development and seed filling.”

SugaROx capitalizes on this fundamental knowledge to develop a special, absorbable version of T6P. In its natural form, T6P carries a strong charge that prevents its absorption by plant cells. SugaROx synthesizes a modified version of T6P, protected by several patents, which includes an additional chemical arm that changes the molecule's charge.

This allows for effective absorption following a foliar application. Once inside the plant, natural sunlight cleaves off the chemical arm, releasing T6P in its biologically active form. The targeted product is applied on wheat towards the end of the crop cycle, spiking the plant biochemistry to direct more carbon into the grain and thereby improving yields for farmers.

Currently, a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) for the wheat biostimulant is being tested in field trials phase across the globe. The T6P MVP has already demonstrated remarkable results across the UK, Canada, the U.S, Argentina and Germany. This year trials expanded to Brazil and India.
The Internal Factors: Business Model, Team and Plans

SugaROx operates on a B2B model, partnering with established go-to-market channels to accelerate product and business development. This strategy ensures that the company is able to effectively reach farmers worldwide. The company is presently evaluating opportunities with potential partners for the UK, U.S., Brazil, Germany, Europe and India, intending to launch the T6P biostimulant in these markets within the next two to three years.

Integral to this vision is SugaROx’s rapidly expanding team.

Two dedicated plant biologists identify new targets for T6P and other plant molecules and undertake initial scoping studies and proof-of-concept and mode-of-action work. Dr Griffiths, CTO and co-inventor of the platform technology exclusively licensed by SugaROx, has over 15 years of research experience in carbon use and allocation in plants. She also manages the venture’s relationships with subcontractors who undertake glasshouse and field trials.

Complementing the plant biologists are two organic chemists seasoned in designing organic molecules and their synthesis processes. They design proprietary versions of powerful natural molecules for delivery inside plant cells, ensuring that SugaROx's biostimulant technology achieves its intended effects. Synthesis at scale is done by contract manufacturers whose performance is managed by Dr Griffiths.

The team is led by CEO Mark Robbins, who has over 35 years of management experience in the manufacturing and global distribution of active ingredients. His experience ensures that SugaROx scales its operations efficiently and meets the demands of the agricultural market. Ms Forte, with nearly two decades of professional experience in open innovation, develops the go-to-market partnerships critical for expanding SugaROx's market reach.

These professionals, with their combined expertise, position SugaROx at the forefront of innovation in crop stimulation, driving its mission to deliver science-backed solutions for modern agriculture.

In essence, SugaROx is pioneering a transformative path for the biostimulant industry. By leveraging a science-backed cutting-edge technology, and a powerhouse team, the venture addresses critical challenges in plant biology while enhancing overall agricultural productivity and sustainability. As a result, SugaROx emerges as a compelling opportunity for investors and corporates seeking to enter or expand their portfolio in the agri-tech sector.