What Pheronym does

Pheronym is an agricultural biotechnology company developing pheromone-based biocontrol products that modulate nematode behavior as a non-toxic alternative to chemical pesticides. Founded in 2012 by Dr. Fatma Kaplan and Karl Cameron Schiller, the company is headquartered in Woodland, California (relocated from Davis) and operates with a 1–10 person team. The company sells three core products: Nemastim, a pheromone mixture that enhances the dispersal and infectivity of beneficial entomopathogenic nematodes used to control soil-dwelling insect pests in orchards (pecan, peach) and turfgrass; Pherocall, a pheromone solution that suppresses plant-parasitic nematodes (PPNs) through soil microbiome improvements, applied via seed treatment, in-furrow, or irrigation; and Pherocoat, a patented pheromone that deters PPNs from feeding on crop roots. The technology is protected by a granted US patent on the underlying platform/Nemastim, a US Pherocoat patent (August 2024), and a Brazil Pherocoat patent (February 2025), and is supported by five peer-reviewed efficacy studies plus ISS microgravity research conducted with USDA-ARS and NanoRacks.

Pheronym's go-to-market is B2B sales-led and event-driven, targeting row crop and orchard farmers, licensed Pest Control Advisors (PCAs), and agricultural distributors, with direct field sales supplemented by PCA recommendation networks and wholesale distribution. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and the company is pre-commercial, with manufacturing scaling from 5L benchtop bioreactors to a 10L milestone at Lawrence Berkeley Lab's ABPDU and a target of 100L pilot-scale fermentation. Revenue is recognized through one-time biopesticide product sales once commercial shipments begin.

The company has been financed almost entirely by non-dilutive science grants — a USDA SBIR Phase I (2017), NSF SBIR Phase I ($249,800 in 2020), NSF SBIR Phase II ($1,000,000 in July 2023), and NSF SBIR Phase IIB supplemental ($378,000 in April 2026) — alongside a small equity base of approximately $317,000 across a Sacramento Angels-led seed ($242,000 in May 2021), SVG Ventures ($75,000 in 2021), and the IndieBio accelerator program (2017). Cumulative capital raised is approximately $2.5 million. Recognition includes the 2022 World Bioprotection Forum Best Young Entrepreneur award (CEO), 2024 Hello Tomorrow Deep Tech Pioneer designation, Earthshot Prize 2024 nomination, and selection as one of 10 semi-finalists (out of 400 applicants across 65 countries) for the World Food Prize Foundation's 2025 Innovate for Impact Challenge.

Name

Pheronym

Legal name

Pheronym, Inc.

Website

https://pheronym.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Pheronym develops nematode pheromone-based biocontrol products — Nemastim, Pherocall, and Pherocoat — that modulate beneficial and plant-parasitic nematode behavior as a biological alternative to chemical nematicides. It serves row crop and orchard farmers, Pest Control Advisors, and agricultural distributors, and is currently pre-commercial with pilot-scale fermentation underway.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Agricultural Biological Pest Control

NAICS

Pesticide and Other Agricultural Chemical Manufacturing (32532)

SIC

Agricultural Chemicals (2870), Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836)

akta.pro primary industry

Semiochemicals & Pheromone-Based Control (Mating Disruption, Attract-and-Kill) (AFABAEAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Nematicides (AFABAAAE), Integrated Pest Management Products (Pheromones, Attractants, Repellents) (AFABAAAN)

Keywords

• Biological pest control
• Nematode pheromones
• Agricultural biocontrol
• Biopesticide products
• Insect pest management

Headquarters

HQ city

San Francisco

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Biopesticide Product Sales: Revenue from selling nematode pheromone-based biocontrol products (Nemastim, Pherocall, Pherocoat) to farmers and agricultural operations for pest management

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Pheronym develops nematode pheromone-based biocontrol products for agricultural pest management. The company manufactures products (Nemastim, Pherocall, Pherocoat) that use naturally occurring nematode pheromones as a sustainable alternative to chemical pesticides, providing targeted insect pest control for farmers and growers.

Product overview

Pheronym develops and commercializes nematode pheromone-based biocontrol products for sustainable agricultural pest management. The company offers three main products: Nemastim™ (pheromone mixture for beneficial nematodes to control insect pests), Pherocall™ (for controlling plant-parasitic nematodes through soil microbiome improvements), and Pherocoat™ (for seed treatments and irrigation applications to protect plant roots from nematode infection). The company has pioneered scalable bio-manufacturing of nematode pheromones through fermentation in bioreactors, transitioning from proof-of-concept to commercial production. Pheronym's technology addresses the $173 billion global plant-parasitic nematode problem while providing alternatives to toxic chemical nematicides facing increasing regulatory restrictions worldwide.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Nemastim: Pheromone product that controls nematode dispersal behavior and infectivity to improve beneficial nematode efficacy for controlling insect pests in soil.
• Pherocall
• Pherocoat

Products and services

• Nemastim A nematode pheromone-based biocontrol product for agricultural pest management, providing a sustainable alternative to chemical pesticides.
• Pherocall A nematode pheromone-based biocontrol product designed to attract beneficial nematodes for targeted pest control in agricultural settings.
• Pherocoat A nematode pheromone-based biocontrol coating product that enhances the efficacy of beneficial nematodes when applied to crops.

Quantifiable outcome

• Significant improvement in nematode efficacy against pecan weevils even at temperatures below 10°C
• +1 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• USDA-ARS (Agricultural Research Service)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Dr. David Shapiro-Ilan at USDA-ARS Southeastern Fruit and Tree Nut Research Station on nematode research and product development. Partnered on space station research with entomopathogenic nematodes.
• Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (ABPDU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUtilized ABPDU (Advanced Biofuels and Bioproducts Development Unit) for first 10L fermentation in bioreactor. Supportive ecosystem for scaling manufacturing process.
• UC DaviscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrong ties to UC Davis ecosystem including Seed Central innovation showcases, student internships, UC Davis AI Institute fellowships, and collaboration through Department of Entomology and Nematology.
• Cyclotron Road ProgramminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of DOE Lab-Embedded Entrepreneurship Program at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, presenting at LEEP Demo Day 2023.
• AgStart IncubatorminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocated at AgStart incubator in Woodland, CA. Participates in Learn from a Local meetups and 1 Million Cups presentations.
• IndieBio AcceleratorminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEarly-stage biotech accelerator where company was incubated in 2017. Demo Day presentation marked formal launch.
• NanoRacksminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerImplementation partner for sending beneficial nematodes to International Space Station for microgravity research.
• Corteva AgriscienceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of ESA Women and Allies in Entomology Breakfast where CEO Dr. Kaplan gave keynote presentation.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Syngenta Biologicals: Global agrichemical major with a dedicated biologicals unit (acquired Valagro, Novartis biocontrol assets). Comparable as an incumbent developing biopesticide and biostimulant alternatives to chemical inputs.
• Indigo Ag: Large, well-capitalized ag-tech company with a biological seed-treatment portfolio (Indigo Proven) and digital agronomy offerings. Relevant as a broader incumbent pursuing biological solutions for sustainable agriculture.
• BASF Agricultural Solutions: Global agrichemical major with an expanding biologicals portfolio (including the Becker Underwood and AgCelence lines). Comparable as an incumbent with a nematode/biological pipeline that could either partner with or compete against Pheronym.
• Bayer Crop Science: Global agrichemical and seed major (with biologicals from the Biagro and recent acquisitions). Comparable as a large incumbent that could commercialize a nematode-pheromone alternative either internally or via acquisition.

Direct peers

• Marrone Bio Innovations (now part of Bioceres Crop Solutions): Commercial-stage biopesticide company offering biological crop-protection products (insecticides, nematicides, fungicides). Most directly comparable to Pheronym as a revenue-generating biological pest-control peer targeting similar grower pain points.
• Certis Biologicals: Specialty biological crop-protection company (acquired by Mitsui & Co.) with a portfolio of biofungicides, bioinsecticides, and bionematicides. Competes head-on with Pheronym's Pherocall/Pherocoat in the biocontrol nematicide category.

Emerging players

• AgBiome: Microbial-based biological product developer for crop protection (Howler, Theia fungicides). Comparable as an early-to-growth-stage ag-biotech commercializing novel biological modes of action, though focused on microbial rather than pheromone platforms.
• BioConsortia: Microbial R&D company developing biopesticides and nitrogen-fixing biologicals using a directed-selection platform. Relevant comparable as a venture-backed ag-biotech transitioning from discovery to commercial product launches.
• Pivot Bio: Commercial-stage biological nitrogen-fixing company (Pivot Bio Proven) competing with synthetic fertilizers. Comparable as a venture-backed biological-input company that successfully scaled a novel microbe-based crop input into commercial row-crop sales.

Regional players

• Symborg: Spain-based biostimulant and biocontrol company (acquired by Corteva in 2022) operating across Europe, Latin America, and the US. Comparable as a specialist biologicals company commercializing novel microbial and natural-product-based crop inputs.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/pheronym
• Facebookfacebook.com/pheronym
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/16235189/admin/updates
• Instagraminstagram.com/pheronym

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds7 records

Investors7 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Pheronym