International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications

What International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications does

ISAAA Inc. (International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications) is a not-for-profit organization founded in 1990 and headquartered in Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines, with regional centers in Nairobi (ISAAA AfriCenter) and Los Baños (ISAAA SEAsiaCenter). Its mission is to share knowledge on agricultural biotechnology with stakeholders in developing countries, particularly resource-poor farmers, policymakers, scientists, journalists, and regulators. The organization operates a knowledge management and dissemination platform centered on the Global Knowledge Center on Crop Biotechnology, the GM Approval Database, a Gene-Edited Animals Database, the weekly Biotech Updates newsletter (22,000+ subscribers), the monthly The DrumBeat newsletter from AfriCenter (4,000+ African subscribers), Pocket K knowledge packages, and the annual ISAAA Brief series on global commercialized biotech/GM crop status.

ISAAA delivers knowledge through a hybrid model of free digital distribution to developing-world audiences and paid publication sales (ISAAA Brief 57-2024 at $55, slides at $35, regional reports at $15). It supplements distribution with Premium/Elite subscriptions and a donations program that funds free access. The platform is supported by a network of 19 Biotechnology Information Centers across Africa, Asia, and the Americas, and operationalized through flagship training programs including ASCA (Asian Short Course on Agri-biotechnology) and AfSCA (African Short Course on Agro-biosciences), as well as the biennial ABBC Symposium and OFAB Kenya Media Awards.

The organization's revenue mix combines earned income from publication and subscription sales with donor and grant funding from development partners including USAID, USDA, Sida, IFPRI, and others. ISAAA engages in multi-institutional projects such as the Feed the Future Striga Smart Sorghum for Africa (SSSfA) initiative and the Capacitating One Health in Eastern and Southern Africa (COHESA) project, and maintains strategic partnerships with ILRI, Cornell Alliance for Science, AATF, COMESA, NEPAD, ASARECA, and Ghent University to advance its mandate.

Name

International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications

Legal name

International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA), Inc.

Website

https://isaaa.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ISAAA is a not-for-profit founded in 1990 that shares agricultural biotechnology knowledge with developing-country stakeholders via databases, newsletters, publications, training programs, and a 19-node global Biotechnology Information Center network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Agricultural Biotechnology Knowledge Sharing

NAICS

Regulation of Agricultural Marketing and Commodities (92614)

SIC

Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro primary industry

Regulatory Compliance, Permitting & Audit Readiness (Food Safety, Environmental, Labor) (AFACAJAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Farm Data Platforms, Integration & APIs (Interoperability/Middleware) (AFAAAFAG)

Keywords

• Agricultural biotechnology information
• Biotech knowledge sharing
• GM crop databases
• Biosafety training programs
• Science communication services

Headquarters

HQ city

Manila

HQ country

Philippines

HQ region

Asia

Offices18 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Publication Sales: Sale of ISAAA Brief reports and publications. Example: ISAAA Brief 57-2024 Global Status of Commercialized Biotech/GM Crops sold at $55, slides at $35, regional reports at $15. Hard copies available via email request.
2. Donations: Donations from supporters to fund free distribution of knowledge products to developing world audiences. One-time ($10-$2,500) and recurring donation options (monthly/yearly/weekly). Donations ensure Biotech Updates and materials remain free to those who need them most.
3. Premium/Elite Subscription Access: Premium or Elite Access subscriptions provide access to ISAAA Brief 57: Global Status of Commercialized Biotech/GM Crops 2024 and other premium resources.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

ISAAA is a not-for-profit knowledge-sharing organization that feeds the world with knowledge of agricultural biotechnology. It develops and maintains proprietary databases on biotech crop approvals and gene-edited animals, distributes free newsletters and educational publications, and runs capacity-building training programs. The organization operates a global network of 19 Biotechnology Information Centers across Africa, Asia, and the Americas to support developing country stakeholders.

Product overview

ISAAA is a not-for-profit organization that feeds the world with knowledge of biotechnology through a platform-plus-services model. The core offerings include the Global Knowledge Center on Crop Biotechnology, GM Approval Database, Biotech Updates Newsletter (22,000+ subscribers), and Gene Editing Database. These are complemented by educational publications including ISAAA Briefs (annual global status reports) and Pocket Ks (packaged knowledge resources). ISAAA also operates a network of 19 Biotech Information Centers (BICs) globally. The AfriCenter division provides specialized services including Science Communication Training, Stakeholder Netmapping, Misinformation-Sensing Training, and The DrumBeat newsletter (4,000+ subscribers). Key programs include ASCA (Asian Short Course on Agri-biotechnology), ABBC Symposium, COHESA project, and the Feed the Future Striga Smart Sorghum for Africa (SSSfA) initiative. The organization focuses on knowledge sharing, capacity building, and facilitating science-based policies for food-secure communities in developing countries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Global Knowledge Center on Crop Biotechnology Main knowledge-sharing platform providing comprehensive information on all aspects of crop biotechnology for stakeholders including consumers, farmers, policy makers, scientists, and media in developing countries.
• GM Approval Database Database containing approvals for commercialization and planting and/or food and feed use with crop and trait descriptions for biotech crops worldwide.
• Gene-Edited Animals Database Database compiling detailed information about gene-edited animals developed for agricultural applications, including editing method, SDN type, target genes, foreign DNA, and regulatory completion status.
• Biotech Updates Newsletter Weekly newsletter distributed to over 22,000 subscribers worldwide informing them about key developments in biosciences, especially biotechnology.
• The DrumBeat Newsletter Monthly e-newsletter from ISAAA AfriCenter with over 4,000 subscribers covering Africa's latest bioscience stories, expert views, and innovation updates for policymakers and scientists.
• ISAAA Briefs Annual publications providing comprehensive reports on global status of commercialized biotech/GM crops, with regional reports for Asia & Oceania.
• Pocket Ks Pockets of Knowledge - packaged information on crop biotechnology products and related issues available for download, covering topics like rust-resistant crops, gene editing (TALENs), and GM crop impacts.
• Science Communication Training Training service that trains scientists to translate complex research for non-technical audiences, building skills for media interviews, social media influence, and policy briefs.
• Stakeholder Netmapping Service helping researchers and project managers map, visualize, and understand actor networks influencing desired outcomes, identifying influencers, coalitions, and resource priorities.
• Misinformation-Sensing Training Training that equips policymakers, regulators, media, and civil society to detect and counter mis/disinformation around agricultural and health innovations using evidence-based frameworks.
• Africa Short Course on Agro-biosciences (AfSCA) Regional training on emerging bioscience technologies including genome editing, gene drives, and drones, open to scientists, early career professionals, and special interest groups.
• Asian Short Course on Agri-biotechnology (ASCA) Short course program on agribiotechnology, biosafety regulation, and communication held in Asia.
• ABBC Symposium Biennial Africa-based platform for bioscience stakeholders to share best communication practices, address policy overlaps, and improve informed decision-making.
• Science Cafés Informal sessions pairing scientists with journalists to foster trust, accurate reporting, and constructive public dialogue on research and innovation.
• Communication Support Services End-to-end science communication support including strategy development, stakeholder mapping, videos, infographics, policy briefs, and FAQs for research projects.
• Africa Science Dialogue Hub Online platform linking scientists and journalists to counter misinformation and improve public understanding of agricultural, health, and environmental innovations.
• Theory of Change (ToC) Training Short course on participatory monitoring and evaluation helping organizations track programme results, donor reporting, and stakeholder accountability.
• Project Documentation Professional audio-visual documentation of science projects through high-definition video and photography across pre-production, production, and post-production stages.
• OFAB Media Awards Awards program celebrating credible science journalism on agricultural biotechnology, with partners contributing to building a trustworthy media environment.
• COHESA Project Capacitating One Health in Eastern and Southern Africa (COHESA) project focused on strengthening One Health governance and institutionalization through stakeholder net-mapping exercises.
• Feed the Future Striga Smart Sorghum for Africa (SSSfA) Multi-institutional collaborative project in Kenya and Ethiopia employing genome editing technology to develop durable Striga (witchweed) resistance in sorghum for smallholder farmers.

Quantifiable outcome

• Countries planting biotech crops in Africa increased from 3 in 2013 to 8 in 2023
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerILRI hosts ISAAA AfriCenter at its campus in Nairobi, Kenya. Collaboration on One Health initiatives including the COHESA project for capacitating One Health in Eastern and Southern Africa across 12 countries.
• Cornell Alliance for SciencecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partnership supporting global bioscience communication and advocacy. Joint efforts in science communication training and policy engagement.
• IFPRI (International Food Policy Research Institute)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIFPRI developed the stakeholder net-mapping approach used by ISAAA AfriCenter for One Health governance exercises across 12 countries in Eastern and Southern Africa.
• African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on technology transfer and adoption. AATF supported the Bt cowpea project that led to Nigeria becoming the first country to approve biotech cowpea globally.
• USDA (United States Department of Agriculture)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnical and policy collaboration on agricultural biotechnology. Supports capacity building initiatives for biotech crop adoption in developing countries.
• COMESAmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint efforts with ASARECA and ISAAA AfriCenter to improve adoption of agricultural biotechnology and biosafety practices through communications, outreach and capacity building. Supported COMESA Biotechnology and Biosafety Policy implementation.
• ASARECA (Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on harmonizing biosafety regulations and promoting biotech crop adoption in Eastern and Central Africa.
• NEPAD (African Union Development Agency)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on continental biotechnology policy and biosafety frameworks under the African Union's agenda.
• Michigan State UniversitymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership supporting biotechnology research and capacity building programs in Africa.
• SEARCA (SEAMEO Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHosts SEARCA Biotechnology Information Center - one of ISAAA's 19 BIC nodes serving Southeast Asia.
• Ghent UniversitymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on bioscience research and training. Hosted 6th International Workshop on Regulatory Approaches for Agricultural Applications of Animal Biotechnologies in 2025.
• VIRCA Plus (Virus Resistant Cassava for Africa)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership supporting development and dissemination of disease-resistant cassava varieties for African farmers.
• CropLifemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry partnership supporting agricultural biotechnology adoption and communication in Africa.
• OFAB (Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology in Africa)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOFAB operates chapters in multiple African countries, with ISAAA AfriCenter hosting OFAB Kenya and supporting OFAB Kenya Media Awards.
• CIP (International Potato Center)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on cassava and sweetpotato biotechnology research and development in Africa.
• BecA-ILRI Hub (Biosciences eastern and central Africa)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership supporting biosciences research capacity in Eastern and Central Africa.
• Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational research partner in Kenya supporting biotech crop research and development.
• Target MalariamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on innovative genetic technologies for malaria vector control in Africa.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI): Global CGIAR research institute on food policy. Comparable as a knowledge producer and capacity builder that developed the stakeholder net-mapping methodology ISAAA AfriCenter deploys, with overlapping policy and biotech-adjacent communications work across developing countries.
• CropLife International: Global industry association representing plant science companies. Comparable as a broader agricultural biotechnology advocacy and communications entity supporting biotech adoption, science communication, and capacity building in Africa and Asia, though operating from an industry-funder perspective rather than a neutral not-for-profit stance.
• CGIAR / ICRISAT: Global agricultural research partnership with research centers including ICRISAT, IITA, and CIP (all ISAAA partners). Comparable as producers of biotech crop research, regulatory support, and capacity building outputs that ISAAA translates into communications products for policymakers and media in developing countries.

Others

• International Life Sciences Institute (ILSI): Global non-profit producing science-based information on food and nutrition topics. Comparable as a knowledge broker and convening organization across regions, though with a food/nutrition focus rather than agricultural biotechnology; relevant peer for understanding international non-profit science communication operating models.
• International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications - AfriCenter (internal): ISAAA's own Africa-dedicated knowledge and communications arm. Listed as a peer to reflect internal scale of comparable program operations (DrumBeat newsletter, AfSCA, ABBC, Science Cafés) that mirror the parent mandate at regional intensity.

Regional players

• SEARCA Biotechnology Information Center: Regional knowledge center for agricultural biotechnology hosted at SEAMEO SEARCA in the Philippines. Comparable as a Southeast Asia-focused biotech information hub and ISAAA BIC node, sharing knowledge dissemination and capacity building mandates in the region.

Direct peers

• Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology in Africa (OFAB): Africa-focused biotech stakeholder engagement platform under AATF. Directly comparable as it convenes policymakers, media, and scientists on agricultural biotechnology policy in Africa, with overlapping country chapters, awards programs, and stakeholder dialogues that parallel ISAAA AfriCenter's mandate.
• AfricaBio: South Africa-based biotechnology industry association operating as one of ISAAA's 19 Biotechnology Information Centers. Directly comparable mission around biotech advocacy, science communication, and stakeholder engagement in Africa, with overlapping audiences and event programming.
• African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF): Africa-focused technology transfer non-profit for agricultural innovation. Comparable mission around biotech crop adoption, regulatory capacity, and smallholder farmer outcomes in Africa; ISAAA partners with AATF on projects such as the Bt cowpea initiative in Nigeria.
• Cornell Alliance for Science: Global agricultural biotechnology communications initiative at Cornell University. Directly comparable as a science communication and capacity-building organization targeting developing-country stakeholders, with overlapping training, journalism awards, and misinformation-counters programs; ISAAA lists Cornell Alliance for Science as a strategic partner.

Market position

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/THBAA
• Xx.com/isaaa_org
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/isaaa

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications