For better or worse, the biologicals space is still in the process of repairing a reputation that was marred by years of over-promising and under-delivering. Yet big advances have been made in recent years, helping improve agricultural productivity while reducing the industry’s dependence on chemical pesticides and fertilizers. 

But discerning between new wave innovation and their more snake-oily predecessors isn’t always easy– so we wanted to sit down with an expert who’s been doing this work for decades. (Note: if you’re new to learning about biologicals, check out “Biologicals: snake oil or science, and how do we know?” before you dive into today’s episode for important background.) 

This week, our guest is Joel Lipsitch, Founder at Blair Road Consulting and an expert in biological products and businesses. Joel guides through his thinking on topics including: 

• The red and green flags he looks for when evaluating biological companies, from the science to pricing models
• How to expect companies to bridge the gap between the lab and the field, and what it looks like when they succeed
• The biological go-to-market strategies that have proven the most successful, and where future business model opportunity is likely emerging

Useful Links:

• Biologicals: snake oil or science, and how do we know?
• The challenges & opportunities for biologicals in ag
• Biologicals and chemistry: finding ways to commercialize the science
• Investing Beyond the Farmgate with Ben Barlow, New Edge Microbials
• The Tricky Business of Scaling Soil Tech - Adam Litle, CEO, Sound Agriculture
• Generics, Biologicals, and the Volatile Farm Inputs Market with Sam Taylor, Rabobank
• The Battle for the Future of Crop Protection

‍

The information in this post is not investment advice or a recommendation to invest. It is general information only and does not take into account your investment objectives, financial situation or needs. Before making an investment decision you should read the information memorandum and seek financial advice from a professional financial adviser. Whilst we believe Information is correct, no warranty of accuracy, reliability or completeness.