INNOLEA SAS

What INNOLEA SAS does

INNOLEA SAS is a French privately-held agricultural biotechnology research company founded on January 1, 2019, through a spin-off of Biogemma's oilcrop genetics and genomics research activities. The company is headquartered at the Domaine de Sandreau site in Mondonville (Haute-Garonne), France, and is controlled by four shareholders: LIDEA seeds, Limagrain, RAGT Semences, and Sofiprotéol (the investment and development subsidiary of the AVRIL group). It operates with 11–50 employees and inherits more than 20 years of accumulated expertise, infrastructure, and breeding populations from Biogemma.

The company's core technology platform combines genetics, genomics, bioinformatics, and innovative phenotyping approaches applied to two crops — rapeseed (Brassica napus) and sunflower — the principal oil crops in France and Europe. Its two named research programs are the rapeseed program led by Sébastien Faure and the sunflower program led by Delphine Fleury, with research objectives spanning identification of favorable genetic variations, exploration of natural genetic diversity, and development of varieties with improved tolerance to abiotic stresses (water and nitrogen use efficiency) and biotic stresses (pathogenic fungi, parasitic plants, insect pests). The strategic aim is to reduce reliance on agricultural inputs such as phytosanitary products, fertilizers, and water while improving adaptation to climate change.

INNOLEA's business model is B2B research services: the company sells applied genomics, pre-breeding, and phenotyping research primarily to its shareholder seed companies (which simultaneously own and consume its output) and the broader French oil and protein industry. Revenue is generated through direct research contracts and collaborative projects, with additional co-funding from French public programs including the ANR (OptiPag project), FSRSO (EPHICAS project), and the 'Investments for the Future' initiatives Rapsodyn and Sunrise. The company participates in collaborations with INRA, CNRS, and other biotech firms, and has no direct commercial product sales — its outputs feed into the breeding pipelines of its shareholders.

Name

INNOLEA SAS

Legal name

INNOLEA SAS

Website

https://innolea.fr

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

INNOLEA SAS is a French agricultural research company that applies genetics, genomics, bioinformatics, and phenotyping to improve rapeseed and sunflower varieties for climate resilience. Founded in 2019 as a Biogemma spin-off, it serves its shareholder seed companies LIDEA seeds, Limagrain, RAGT Semences, and Sofiprotéol.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Agricultural Biotechnology Research

NAICS

Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Trait Discovery & Functional Genomics (Target ID/Validation) (AFABALAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Biotechnology & Gene-Edited Trait Development (AFAGAIAG), Phenotyping Technologies & Services (Field/Controlled Environment) (AFABALAF), Breeding Program Design & Genetic Consulting (Mating Plans, EPD/Index Selection) (AFACAEAD)

Keywords

• Plant genetics research
• Crop genomics services
• Rapeseed breeding research
• Sunflower improvement
• Agricultural biotechnology

Headquarters

HQ city

Mondonville

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Research Services to Parent Companies: INNOLEA provides research and development services in genetics and genomics to its shareholder seed companies (LIDEA seeds, Limagrain, RAGT Semences) and the broader oil crop industry. Revenue is generated through research contracts and collaborative projects focused on developing new plant varieties with improved agronomic traits.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

INNOLEA conducts applied genetics and genomics research on rapeseed and sunflower to develop improved varieties with better adaptation to abiotic stresses (water and nitrogen use efficiency) and biotic stresses (pathogenic fungi, parasitic plants, insect pests). The company delivers research services to its shareholder seed companies (LIDEA seeds, Limagrain, RAGT Semences, Sofiprotéol) and the broader French oil and protein industry through direct contracts and collaborative projects. Services include genetic diversity exploration, identification of favorable genetic variations, and the development of breeding tools through genetics, genomics, bioinformatics, and innovative phenotyping approaches.

Product overview

INNOLEA SAS is a French research company specializing in genetics and genomics of oil crops, established on January 1, 2019. The company operates two core research programs: the Rapeseed Genetics and Genomics Research Program (led by Sébastien Faure) and the Sunflower Genetics and Genomics Research Program (led by Delphine Fleury). These programs are supported by services in genetic diversity exploration, bioinformatics, and innovative phenotyping approaches. The company focuses on developing varieties with reduced needs for agricultural inputs (phytosanitary products, fertilizers, water) that are better adapted to future climates.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Rapeseed Genetics and Genomics Research Program Applied genetics and genomics research on rapeseed (Brassica napus) focused on identifying favorable genetic variations for better adaptation to abiotic stresses (water and nitrogen use efficiency) and biotic stresses (pathogenic fungi, parasitic plants, insect pests). Program led by Sébastien Faure. Delivered to seed companies for development of improved rapeseed varieties.
• Sunflower Genetics and Genomics Research Program Applied genetics and genomics research on sunflower focused on improving varieties for adaptation to stressful environmental conditions and reducing agricultural input needs. Program led by Delphine Fleury. Targeted at seed companies and the broader French oil and protein industry.
• Genetic Diversity Exploration Services Exploration of natural genetic diversity of rapeseed, sunflower, and related species to identify favorable genetic variations used in breeding programs. Supports development of varieties with improved agronomic traits and resistance to environmental stresses.
• Innovative Phenotyping Services Advanced phenotyping approaches to characterize and select for beneficial traits in oil crop breeding programs. Combined with genomics to better understand crop physiology and adapt cultivation to changing environmental conditions.

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• BiogemmaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerINNOLEA was created from Biogemma's research activities in oilcrops genetics and genomics. The company inherited Biogemma's programs in rapeseed and sunflower, infrastructure at the Mondonville site, and experienced teams with 20+ years of expertise.
• National Research Agency (ANR)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerINNOLEA participates in collaborative basic science projects supported by the National Research Agency (ANR) in collaboration with INRA and CNRS in France and foreign countries. Also partner of the ANR OptiPag project.
• INRA (Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerINNOLEA collaborates with INRA on basic science research projects supported by the National Research Agency.
• CNRS (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerINNOLEA collaborates with CNRS on basic science research projects supported by the National Research Agency.
• Rapsodyn ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerINNOLEA participates in the 'Investments for the Future' Rapsodyn project focused on rapeseed improvement (www.rapsodyn.fr).
• Sunrise ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerINNOLEA participates in the 'Investments for the Future' Sunrise project focused on sunflower improvement (www.sunrise-project.fr).
• Seeds Research Support Fund for Oilseeds (FSRSO)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerINNOLEA is a partner of projects supported by the Seeds Research Support Fund for Oilseeds (FSRSO, France), including the EPHICAS project.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• KWS SAAT: One of the world's largest seed companies with major R&D in oil crops (rapeseed) and a strong European breeding/genomics footprint; competes with INNOLEA's shareholders and operates its own trait discovery programs.
• Corteva Agriscience: Global seed company with Pioneer and Brevant brands; runs sunflower and oilseed breeding programs with proprietary genomics/phenotyping capabilities comparable to INNOLEA's research scope.
• Bayer Crop Science: Global seed and crop protection major with oilseed breeding programs (rapeseed/canola) and extensive genomics R&D; sets a competitive benchmark for trait discovery in INNOLEA's focal crops.
• BASF Agricultural Solutions: Global agribusiness with oilseed breeding programs (including acquired canola/rapeseed capabilities) and in-house trait discovery; competes with INNOLEA's shareholder ecosystem for market and talent.
• Syngenta: Global agribusiness with significant oilseed (sunflower, rapeseed) breeding programs and trait discovery capabilities; competes with INNOLEA for European seed market share and downstream commercialization.

Others

• INRAE: French public agricultural research institute that collaborates with INNOLEA on rapeseed and sunflower projects; not a commercial peer but an ecosystem participant shaping the underlying basic science INNOLEA builds on.

Direct peers

• Biogemma: French crop genetics and genomics research company that was INNOLEA's direct predecessor; focused on similar trait discovery and genomics approaches for major field crops. INNOLEA inherited Biogemma's oilcrop programs, teams, and infrastructure.

Regional players

• Florimond Desprez: French plant breeding company with broad field crop genomics and pre-breeding research; a peer French player in applied crop genetics with comparable R&D services and European market focus.
• Vilmorin-Mikado: French-Japanese seed company (Limagrain subsidiary) with active rapeseed and sunflower breeding programs in Europe; overlaps with INNOLEA's shareholder ecosystem and competes for genetic improvement mandates.

Emerging players

• Genective: European joint venture (Limagrain, KWS) developing transgenic traits for corn; an emerging biotech in the same agricultural genomics arena as INNOLEA, though focused on corn rather than oil crops.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/innolea-sas

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 INNOLEA SAS