AgBiTech
AgBiTech develops and commercializes nucleopolyhedrovirus-based biological insecticides and semiochemical products that selectively control caterpillar pests in soybean, corn, cotton, and horticultural crops for row-crop farmers in the Americas, Australia, Africa, and Asia.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2000
- HeadquartersFort Worth, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What AgBiTech does
AgBiTech develops, mass-produces, and commercializes biological insecticides based on nucleopolyhedrovirus (NPV) technology — naturally occurring baculoviruses that selectively kill Lepidoptera caterpillars without harming beneficial insects, wildlife, or humans. The proprietary platform is manufactured through in vivo production: millions of caterpillars are reared daily in climate-controlled facilities in Fort Worth, Texas and Toowoomba, Australia, infected with target-specific NPV strains, and harvested for occlusion bodies that are formulated into a portfolio of pest-specific products. The commercial portfolio spans nine baculovirus insecticides (Vivus Max, Armigen, Heligen, Fawligen, Cartugen, Chrysogen, Lepigen, and the Surtivo line), two semiochemical moth-control products (Chamariz and Magnet), and an adjuvant (Optimol). Products target key caterpillar pests including Helicoverpa spp., Spodoptera frugiperda (Fall Armyworm), and Chrysodeixis includens across soybean, corn, cotton, and horticultural crops. NPV products are classified by IRAC as Group 31 (novel mode of action), and no resistance has been documented anywhere in 20+ years of use.
AgBiTech generates revenue primarily through one-time product sales of biological insecticides and supporting adjuvants, priced via quote-based agricultural-inputs contracts rather than published pricing. The go-to-market combines direct enterprise field sales through regional offices in Brazil (São Paulo), the USA, and Australia with channel-partner distribution in Africa, South Asia, South East Asia, and select Western US states — anchored by a global agreement with UPL's Natural Plant Protection unit plus country-exclusive partners including Glymax (Paraguay), River Bioscience (Southern Africa), Ispahani (Bangladesh), Baurs (Sri Lanka), and Golden Agri (Nigeria). Customers include large row-crop producers, horticultural growers, and smallholder farmer programs supported through FAO and USAID partnerships.
At the time of its March 2026 acquisition by BASF Agricultural Solutions, AgBiTech operated from Fort Worth, Texas with global manufacturing in the USA and Australia, R&D facilities across all three continents, and roughly 140 Brazil-based personnel. It held approximately 50% of Brazil's caterpillar bioinsecticide market, 37% of Brazil's soybean biopesticide market (up from 17% earlier), and reported cumulative treatment of more than 25 million acres globally. Prior to the BASF acquisition, the company was majority-owned by private equity firm Paine Schwartz Partners (invested 2015); it now operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary of BASF.
AgBiTech firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- AgBiTech
- Legal name
- AgBiTech Pty Ltd
- Website
- https://agbitech.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2000
- Operating status
- Acquired
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- AgBiTech develops and commercializes nucleopolyhedrovirus-based biological insecticides and semiochemical products that selectively control caterpillar pests in soybean, corn, cotton, and horticultural crops for row-crop farmers in the Americas, Australia, Africa, and Asia.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
AgBiTech industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Biological Crop Protection
- NAICS
- Pesticide and Other Agricultural Chemical Manufacturing (325320), Pesticide, Fertilizer, and Other Agricultural Chemical Manufacturing (3253)
- SIC
- Agricultural Chemicals (2870)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Biological Formulation, Fermentation & Scale-Up Manufacturing (AFABAEAM)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Biological Pest Control (Beneficial Insects, Nematodes, Microbials) (AFABAKAB), Microbial/Biological Control (Beneficial Bacteria/Fungi/Viruses) (HSAMALAB), Insecticides (AFABAAAB)
Keywords
Where AgBiTech is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Fort Worth
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices4 records
Markets served
AgBiTech business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Biological Insecticide Product Sales: Sale of baculovirus-based biological insecticides (NPV products) for caterpillar control in agriculture. Products include Vivus Max, Armigen, Heligen, Fawligen, Cartugen, Chrysogen, Lepigen, Surtivo, and semiochemical products like Chamariz and Magnet.
- Adjuvant/Optimizer Products: Sale of supporting products like Optimol (biological insecticide optimizer to improve infection rates) and Magnet/Chamariz (semiochemical moth attractants).
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels11 records
Marketing channels5 records
AgBiTech product offering
Product offeringCore offering
AgBiTech develops, manufactures, and commercializes baculovirus-based biological insecticides (NPV technology) that selectively control caterpillar (Lepidopteran) pests in row crops such as soybean, corn, and cotton, as well as in horticultural crops. The company also produces semiochemical products (e.g., Chamariz, Magnet) that use mating disruption to suppress moth populations. Its products are deployed across Brazil, the United States, Australia, and Africa as part of integrated pest management programs.
Product overview
AgBiTech offers a unified portfolio of biological insect control products centered on nucleopolyhedrovirus (NPV) technology. The core portfolio includes baculovirus-based insecticides—Vivus Max, Armigen, Fawligen, Heligen, Cartugen, Chrysogen, Lepigen, and Surtivo variants—each targeting specific caterpillar pests (Helicoverpa, Fall Armyworm, and related species) across row crops including soybean, corn, cotton, and horticulture. Supporting products include semiochemical solutions Chamariz and Magnet, which use proprietary plant volatile blends to attract and control pest moths. Adjuvant Optimol enhances baculovirus infection rates. All products leverage naturally occurring viruses co-evolved with caterpillars, enabling resistance management and integrated pest management (IPM) compatibility. AgBiTech manufactures NPV products in Fort Worth, Texas and Australia, with formulation and packaging in Brazil, serving farmers in Brazil, USA, Australia, Africa, and Asia.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Heligen
Quantifiable outcome
- Up to 50% carbon emission reduction compared to conventional agrochemicals
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use AgBiTech
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
AgBiTech technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
AgBiTech partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered major, core, regional and minor.
- BASF Agricultural SolutionsmajorAcquired AgBiTech in 2026 (closed March 31, 2026) to expand biological insect control portfolio. Leverages AgBiTech's established footprint in Brazil, one of the most dynamic markets for biological crop protection. Deal enables global scaling of biological solutions.
- UPLcoreStrategic distribution agreement signed January 2020 for Fawligen and Heligen in Africa (Senegal, Mali, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Cameroon, Kenya, Zambia, South Africa) and Western US (California, Arizona, Hawaii). UPL distributes through its Natural Plant Protection (NPP) business unit.
- River BioscienceregionalLong-standing partnership in South Africa to distribute Helicovir (equivalent to ViVUS Max). Enabled registration of Helicovir in Botswana with Ramogomana Farming and in Zimbabwe with Cit Chem.
- FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization)corePartnership beginning 2019 to train and support adoption of Fawligen in South Sudan by hundreds of smallholder farmers for food security. Partnership targeted 2,000 farmers in 2020 despite COVID-19 pandemic.
- USAIDcorePartner in SAFER project improving food security and livelihoods in South Sudan. Supported Fawligen adoption programs and registration in Bangladesh through CIMMYT.
- CIMMYTcoreInternational agricultural research organization. Contributed to rapid assessment and registration of biological control for fall armyworm in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Joint work on best practices for FAW management.
- CABIminorInternational center for agriculture and bioscience. Partnered with AgBiTech in 2019 for training and support programs.
- Golden Agri Inputs Limited (Flour Mills of Nigeria)regionalFinalizing registration of Fawligen in Nigeria to provide maize growers with IPM solution for Fall Armyworm. Trials conducted for two consecutive years by IITA with partial funding from Swiss Development Cooperation.
- GlymaxregionalExclusive strategic partner in Paraguay since 2020. Together launched Surtivo Soja and introducing more products.
- BaursregionalPartnership in Sri Lanka to secure rapid registration of Fawligen giving Sri Lankan farmers tool for safe integrated management of FAW in biodiverse environment.
- Ispahani AgroregionalPartnership in Bangladesh with support from USAID and CIMMYT to secure one of fastest registrations on back of Fall Armyworm outbreak. Trials conducted by BARI and BWMRI.
- Agro100regionalBrazil partnership to expand baculoviruses market, announced December 2019.
- Via FértilregionalBrazil partnership signed September 2019 to combat caterpillars.
- GAIL (Green Africa Agro Input Limited)regionalDistribution agreement for Fawligen biological control for Fall Armyworm in Nigeria, announced January 2021.
Scale indicators16 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
AgBiTech competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- BioWorks: North American biological crop protection company offering microbial insecticides, biofungicides, and biostimulants. Smaller scale but overlapping product categories and customer base in specialty and horticulture segments.
- Andermatt Biocontrol: Swiss-headquartered specialist in baculovirus and other microbial biocontrol products (e.g., Madex, Helicovex) targeting codling moth and Helicoverpa. Most direct global competitor to AgBiTech in caterpillar NPV products.
- Marrone Bio Innovations (now part of BioConsortia): US-based biopesticide company with microbial products (Grandevo, Venerate) competing in row crop and specialty crop insect control. Recently acquired by BioConsortia to expand biologicals portfolio; overlaps with AgBiTech's IPM positioning.
- Certis Biologicals: One of the largest dedicated biopesticide companies globally, with a broad portfolio including baculovirus, Bt, and fungal-based products targeting caterpillars and other pests. Directly competes with AgBiTech in row crops and horticulture biocontrol.
Broad incumbents
- BASF Agricultural Solutions: AgBiTech's new parent company since March 2026. Operates a global crop protection portfolio including biologicals; relevant as both the acquirer and a future channel for scaling AgBiTech's NPV platform worldwide.
- Valent BioSciences: Sumitomo Chemical subsidiary and a global leader in biorational products, including microbial insecticides and plant growth regulators. Overlaps with AgBiTech's baculovirus category but operates at much broader scale and product breadth.
- Syngenta Biologicals: Global crop protection major with a growing biologicals portfolio including biocontrol products for caterpillar management. Competes broadly with AgBiTech in IPM and sustainable agriculture positioning.
Emerging players
- AgBiome: US-based ag biologicals company developing microbial (including fungal-based) insect control and crop protection products. Overlaps with AgBiTech in row-crop biocontrol but uses different microbial modes of action.
- Vestaron: Peptide-based bioinsecticide developer targeting caterpillars and other chewing pests. Competes with AgBiTech's NPV in the same IPM and resistance management use cases, particularly in high-value crops.
- Provivi: US-based startup developing pheromone and other sustainable pest control solutions for row crops. Adjacent semiochemical approach overlapping with AgBiTech's Chamariz/Magnet platform; competes in pre-mating disruption vs. AgBiTech's pre-egg-laying attract-and-kill.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
AgBiTech social profiles
Digital presenceAgBiTech financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
AgBiTech leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
AgBiTech funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
AgBiTech 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 AgBiTech
What does AgBiTech do?
AgBiTech develops, manufactures, and commercializes baculovirus-based biological insecticides (NPV technology) that selectively control caterpillar (Lepidopteran) pests in row crops such as soybean, corn, and cotton, as well as in horticultural crops. The company also produces semiochemical products (e.g., Chamariz, Magnet) that use mating disruption to suppress moth populations. Its products are deployed across Brazil, the United States, Australia, and Africa as part of integrated pest management programs.
Is AgBiTech a public or private company?
AgBiTech is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently acquired.
When was AgBiTech founded?
AgBiTech was founded in 2000. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is AgBiTech based?
AgBiTech is headquartered in Fort Worth, United States, in the North America region.
How does AgBiTech make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Biological Insecticide Product Sales are the primary driver. The others are adjuvant/Optimizer Products.
Who are AgBiTech's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are BioWorks, Andermatt Biocontrol, Marrone Bio Innovations (now part of BioConsortia) and Certis Biologicals. Broad incumbents are BASF Agricultural Solutions, Valent BioSciences and Syngenta Biologicals. Emerging players are AgBiome, Vestaron and Provivi.
Does AgBiTech have an API?
No public API is recorded for AgBiTech.
What industry is AgBiTech in?
AgBiTech's product category is Biological Crop Protection. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFABAEAM, Biological Formulation, Fermentation & Scale-Up Manufacturing, with a secondary code of AFABAKAB, Biological Pest Control (Beneficial Insects, Nematodes, Microbials). Its NAICS code is 325320 and its SIC code is 2870.