German company Bayer and Spanish group Kimitec have announced a strategic agreement aimed at accelerating the development and commercialisation of biological solutions that contribute to crop protection and biostimulation. The goal is to share a new generation of products based on molecules derived from natural sources with millions of farmers worldwide.

Through this partnership, Kimitec will be able to extend its work in discovering products to protect crops against pests, diseases and weeds, as well as biostimulants to support plant growth. Bayer's expertise in product development will allow for accelerated field trials and time to market, in line with its commitment to open innovation through strategic agreements.

Europe's largest biotechnology innovation hub
At the heart of the alliance is the MAAVi Innovation Center, the largest biotechnology innovation hub in Europe, which Kimitec has been operating for fifteen years. Molecules and natural compounds for agriculture and the food industry have already been developed in its laboratories. Its artificial intelligence platform, LINNA, will play a key role in facilitating and accelerating molecule discovery.

Bayer Crop Science's Head of R&D, Robert Reiter, emphasised the company's commitment to “bringing the benefits of biological solutions to farmers as part of an integrated crop management system backed by our leadership, crop protection products and digital tools”.

Open innovation ecosystem
Benoit Hartmann, Head of Biologics at Bayer Crop Science, explained that the collaboration with Kimitec “offers a unique accelerated pathway to innovative biological solutions that will help us deliver on our shared vision of a new generation of effective, safe and sustainable solutions derived from nature”, adding that, "This alliance between Bayer and Kimitec is an example of Bayer's open innovation ecosystem and willingness to work with different strategic partners to bring the next generation of biological products to farmers.”

Kimitec's Executive Director, Félix García, also highlighted the power of partnerships to “offer valuable, sustainable solutions for farmers, consumers and the planet”, reiterating that, “Fifteen years ago, Kimitec had a clear vision to change the way food was produced, and now our agreement with Bayer is helping us get closer than ever to making this vision a reality by allowing us to expand our global presence and bring our technology to millions of farmers for the first time. As a world leader in R&D and the manufacture of biological solutions, Kimitec offers natural, sustainable solutions without compromising farmers’ efficiency or productivity.”

According to Bayer, the market for biological products could reach 25 billion euros by 2028.

^{Photo: Bayer}