BioHeuris
BioHeuris develops non-GMO herbicide tolerance traits for major crops using precision genome editing and directed evolution. The company licenses branded trait products — SURON®, StrigOUT™, and Raizor® — to seed companies across sorghum, soybean, cotton, and rice markets globally.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersRosario, Argentina
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What BioHeuris does
BioHeuris is an agricultural biotechnology company that develops non-genetically modified organism (non-GMO) herbicide tolerance traits for major row crops using precision genome editing and directed-evolution techniques. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Rosario, Argentina, with a US office in St. Louis, Missouri, the company operates as a small, privately held, founder-led team of 11-50 employees focused on crop protection genetics rather than traditional agrochemical chemistry.
The company's core technology platform, branded Heuristic Breeding™, integrates proprietary components including HEURIK (a high-throughput microbial assay system used for trait discovery and screening), SWAP (a trait delivery/introgression mechanism), and ENRAS™. Using this platform, BioHeuris has built a portfolio of branded trait products: SURON® (herbicide tolerance for sorghum), StrigOUT™ (Striga parasitic-weed tolerance for African sorghum), and Raizor® (trait package for direct-seeded rice). The non-GMO positioning of these traits is a deliberate architectural choice that allows deployment in jurisdictions restrictive to transgenic crops and bypasses the lengthy GMO deregulation pathway.
BioHeuris operates an asset-light licensing model. Rather than selling seed directly, it partners with established regional and global seed companies — including Rotam, Gensus (cotton), GDM (soybeans), and Argenetics Semillas (sorghum) — to integrate its traits into commercial germplasm in exchange for licensing fees and royalties. In sub-Saharan Africa, the company works with the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) to deploy StrigOUT™ into smallholder sorghum channels, creating a parallel distribution path distinct from its commercial seed-company licensing model.
BioHeuris firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- BioHeuris
- Legal name
- BioHeuris
- Website
- https://bioheuris.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- BioHeuris develops non-GMO herbicide tolerance traits for major crops using precision genome editing and directed evolution. The company licenses branded trait products — SURON®, StrigOUT™, and Raizor® — to seed companies across sorghum, soybean, cotton, and rice markets globally.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
BioHeuris industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Agricultural Biotechnology / Crop Trait Licensing
- NAICS
- Pesticide and Other Agricultural Chemical Manufacturing (32532)
- SIC
- Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Gene Editing Trait Development (CRISPR/TALEN/ZFN) (AFABALAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Seed Trait Licensing & IP Management (Licensing, freedom-to-operate) (AFABALAJ), Trait Discovery & Functional Genomics (Target ID/Validation) (AFABALAC), Biotechnology & Gene-Edited Trait Development (AFAGAIAG)
Keywords
Where BioHeuris is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Rosario
- HQ country
- Argentina
- HQ region
- Latin America
Offices2 records
Markets served
BioHeuris business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Technology Licensing: BioHeuris licenses its trait technologies (SURON®, StrigOUT™, Raizor®) to seed companies and breeders worldwide to create top-performing hybrids. The licensing model ensures farmers can access innovative solutions through trusted local suppliers.
- Strategic Partnerships: Revenue generated through co-development partnerships with seed and chemical companies for trait development and deployment. Partnerships include technology development agreements with Gensus (cotton), GDM (soybeans), and Argenetics Semillas (sorghum).
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
BioHeuris product offering
Product offeringCore offering
BioHeuris develops and licenses non-GMO herbicide tolerance genetic traits for major crops (soybean, sorghum, cotton, rice) using proprietary precision gene editing and the Heuristic Breeding™ pipeline. Its commercial products — SURON®, StrigOUT™, and Raizor® — are licensed to seed companies and chemical companies worldwide, which integrate the traits into hybrid seed products sold to growers. The pipeline integrates HEURIK (discovery), SWAP (mutagenomic), and ENRAS™ (phenotyping) platforms to deliver farmer-ready traits without introducing foreign DNA.
Product overview
BioHeuris offers a portfolio of herbicide tolerance technologies for crops, comprising three branded products: SURON® (sorghum multi-herbicide tolerance), StrigOUT™ (sorghum Striga protection), and Raizor® (rice direct seeding). These products are delivered through the Heuristic Breeding™ pipeline, which integrates three synchronized technology platforms: HEURIK (discovery), SWAP (mutagenomic), and ENRAS™ (phenotyping). The company works with seed and chemical companies to bring herbicide tolerance traits to soybean, sorghum, cotton, and rice crops.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- SURON®: The first non-GMO technology that confers tolerance to multiple ALS herbicides in sorghum. Dual resistance to imidazolinones and sulfonylureas with pre- and post-emergent tolerance.
- StrigOUT™
- Raizor®
- Heuristic Breeding™
Products and services
- SURON® The first and only genetic trait providing simultaneous tolerance to imidazolinone and sulfonylurea herbicides in sorghum, enabling broad-spectrum weed control with pre- and post-emergent tolerance. Licensed to seed companies worldwide for integration into commercial hybrid sorghum products.
- StrigOUT™ A gene editing technology combined with a seed-applied low-dose herbicide treatment that protects sorghum from Striga (Africa's toughest weed), eliminating the need for costly spraying equipment. Targeted at African smallholder markets through the StrigOUT Alliance.
- Raizor® A groundbreaking herbicide tolerance trait enabling Direct-Seeded Rice (DSR) systems, reducing water use by 5%, labor intensity by 10%, and greenhouse gas emissions by 10% versus traditional transplanted rice. Licensed to rice seed companies and breeders.
Quantifiable outcome
- 10% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions when switching from transplanted rice to Direct Seeded Rice with Raizor®
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use BioHeuris
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
BioHeuris technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature7 records
BioHeuris partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.
- Argenetics SemillascoreArgenetics Semillas and BioHeuris partnered to launch SURON, the first multi-herbicide tolerance technology for sorghum. The two Argentine companies developed the solution providing sorghum growers with more flexible weed control across multiple growth stages. Argenetics is also a strategic seed partner contributing to StrigOUT™ trait development and deployment planning.
- AATF (African Agricultural Technology Foundation)coreAATF and BioHeuris partnered to boost productivity with genome-edited crops in Africa. The partnership seeks to promote research and development, regulatory approval, and uptake of these crops. Through this partnership, BioHeuris will test its weed-control solution (StrigOUT™) in Africa to protect millions of smallholder farmers from the $7 billion Striga threat.
- GDM (Grupo Don Mario)coreBioHeuris partnered with GDM to develop crop management system in soybeans using gene editing. Both companies precisely modify soybean genes to obtain elite varieties with a novel crop management system.
- GensuscoreGensus and BioHeuris partnered to develop non-GMO herbicide resistant cotton using gene editing. This collaboration uses CRISPR to boost cotton yield and herbicide resistance, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional GMOs for cotton producers.
- Dr. Steve Runo (Kenyatta University)supportingLeading expert in Striga biology from Kenyatta University supporting the StrigOUT™ Alliance. Provides expertise in Striga biology to support development of weed control solutions for African agriculture.
- Prof. Jonathan GresselsupportingRenowned authority on weed science and parasitic plants supporting the StrigOUT™ Alliance. Provides expertise in weed science to support Striga control technology development.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
BioHeuris competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Cibus: U.S.-based precision gene editing company developing non-GMO crop traits including herbicide tolerance in canola, soybean, and rice. Closely aligned with BioHeuris in trait focus, non-GMO positioning, and licensing go-to-market.
- Inari Agriculture: U.S.-based SEEDesign company combining AI and multiplex gene editing to develop proprietary seed traits in corn and soybean. Comparable in using non-transgenic approaches and selling/licensing to seed companies.
- Yield10 Bioscience: U.S.-based ag-biotech developing performance and content traits in major row crops via gene editing. Comparable in technology approach and small-cap licensing model, though more focused on yield traits than herbicide tolerance.
- Pairwise: U.S.-based agricultural gene editing company using CRISPR to develop improved crop traits, including in row crops. Closely comparable to BioHeuris in using gene editing for non-GMO trait development and partnering with seed companies.
- Tropic Biosciences: UK-based ag-biotech applying gene editing to crops such as banana, coffee, and rice. Comparable to BioHeuris in deploying precision breeding for crop improvement via licensing to commercial partners.
Broad incumbents
- Syngenta Group: Global ag-input company offering seed, crop protection (including herbicides), and trait platforms. Overlaps with BioHeuris in herbicide tolerance trait development and seed company partnerships.
- Corteva Agriscience: One of the largest seed and crop protection companies globally, with major herbicide tolerance trait programs (e.g., Enlist) in corn, soybean, and cotton. Comparable crop and trait overlap, though much broader portfolio and transgenic in approach.
- BASF Agricultural Solutions: Global ag-input major with seed, trait, and herbicide platforms including herbicide tolerance in major row crops. Comparable trait stack and crop focus; competes broadly through chemical-plus-seed integration.
- Bayer Crop Science: Global ag-biotech leader with herbicide tolerance traits (Roundup Ready, Xtend) in soybean, cotton, and corn. Comparable crop and weed-management overlap; major incumbent competitor in trait licensing.
Emerging players
- Benson Hill: U.S.-based crop improvement company combining genomics and breeding for soybean and other crops. Comparable in applying data-driven plant breeding to deliver differentiated seed products to growers.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
BioHeuris social profiles
Digital presenceBioHeuris financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
BioHeuris leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
BioHeuris funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds10 records
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
BioHeuris M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about BioHeuris
What does BioHeuris do?
BioHeuris develops and licenses non-GMO herbicide tolerance genetic traits for major crops (soybean, sorghum, cotton, rice) using proprietary precision gene editing and the Heuristic Breeding™ pipeline. Its commercial products — SURON®, StrigOUT™, and Raizor® — are licensed to seed companies and chemical companies worldwide, which integrate the traits into hybrid seed products sold to growers. The pipeline integrates HEURIK (discovery), SWAP (mutagenomic), and ENRAS™ (phenotyping) platforms to deliver farmer-ready traits without introducing foreign DNA.
Is BioHeuris a public or private company?
BioHeuris is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was BioHeuris founded?
BioHeuris was founded in 2016. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is BioHeuris based?
BioHeuris is headquartered in Rosario, Argentina, in the Latin America region.
How does BioHeuris make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Technology Licensing is the primary driver. The others are strategic Partnerships.
Who are BioHeuris's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Cibus, Inari Agriculture, Yield10 Bioscience, Pairwise and Tropic Biosciences. Broad incumbents are Syngenta Group, Corteva Agriscience, BASF Agricultural Solutions and Bayer Crop Science. Benson Hill is listed as an emerging player.
Does BioHeuris have an API?
No public API is recorded for BioHeuris.
What industry is BioHeuris in?
BioHeuris's product category is Agricultural Biotechnology / Crop Trait Licensing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFABALAB, Gene Editing Trait Development (CRISPR/TALEN/ZFN), with a secondary code of AFABALAJ, Seed Trait Licensing & IP Management (Licensing, freedom-to-operate). Its NAICS code is 32532 and its SIC code is 2836.