From camels to crops: Ghent-based Biotalys is a pioneer in biological plant protection

What began as a technology rooted in the pharmaceutical industry is now evolving into a smart solution for crop protection. Their products not only make agriculture more sustainable and resilient, but they also offer a safer approach for farmers, consumers, and nature alike.

Over the past decade, Biotalys has been breaking new ground in agrotech. That pioneering work may soon be rewarded with the approval of their first product, Evoca, by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Once granted, this recognition will mark the technology as officially safe by government standards.

This pivotal moment is the perfect opportunity to speak with Dr Carlo Boutton, Chief Scientific Officer. “We’re on the verge of a major breakthrough,” he says.

From VIB spin-off to biotech pioneer

But first, let’s rewind to where it all began. The company was founded in 2013, though the technology it’s built on dates back much further. “Well, Professor Raymond Hamers (VUB) discovered a new type of antibody in the blood of a dromedary back in 1989,” Carlo explains. “A few years later, Ablynx was founded to work with these so-called ‘nanobodies’. Among other things, they brought Cablivi to market, a treatment for TTP, a rare and life-threatening blood disorder. Several other companies followed in their footsteps, also working with these special camelid antibodies. Many of them are based in Ghent, by the way.”

Some researchers realised that this science could also be applied in agriculture. That insight led to the founding of Biotalys in 2013, as a spin-off from the Flemish Institute for Biotechnology (VIB), to develop a technology platform for biological crop protection.

The concept of a ‘platform’ is central to Biotalys. “Our greatest strength lies in the fact that this technology allows us to develop multiple products. Right now, we’re mainly focused on biofungicides - biological crop protection against fungal diseases - for a wide range of crops like grapes, strawberries, and more. In addition to our first product, Evoca, we’re also working on six other solutions targeting fungi and insect pests.”

That pioneering work is what truly excites Carlo. “The idea that you get to build something with a team of brilliant scientists, something that’s never been done before. You see the potential applications, but you know there are still many hurdles to overcome. Just imagine if it all works out. The sense of achievement would be enormous. The societal impact alone would be massive.”

Evoca: The flagship product of the Agrobody platform

This first product is a biofungicide that combats grey mould and powdery mildew,  diseases that wreak havoc on fruit and vegetable crops, often leading to rot. “Our treatment works preventively. Farmers spray their crops in advance to stop infections before they start. If fungal spores land on the plants, they don’t get the chance to develop,” Carlo explains. “We’ve conducted hundreds of field trials across the globe, under a wide range of conditions. We can confidently demonstrate that our biological product performs just as well as chemical alternatives in a typical spray programme.”

With Evoca, Biotalys offers farmers a fully-fledged alternative. Chemical pesticides are gradually disappearing from the market, not only because they pose health risks but also due to their impact on soil quality. Some of these chemicals harm soil life, leading to degradation and nutrient loss. That creates a vicious cycle, forcing farmers to seek out new land. Evoca also provides a solution to resistance, which is becoming an increasing issue with chemical treatments.

All these advantages make farmers receptive to Biotalys’ solution, which is no small feat. Agriculture tends to be more conservative than the pharmaceutical sector, where nanobody technology is already well established. And understandably so: farmers often have just one harvest a year and need to protect their income. “But we’re seeing real buy-in from our target groups,” Carlo says. “In fact, we regularly get emails and calls from growers asking when they can start using the product. That’s the ultimate proof.”

To prepare for commercialisation, Biotalys is now scaling up production of Evoca. “We’re doing that internally, but also in collaboration with the Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant (Ghent) and other industrial partners. We prepare the formulation, then carry out a ‘tech transfer’ to one of these partners. They know exactly what they’re doing, and we work closely together. For distribution, we partner with commercial producers in local markets. Our own focus remains firmly on research and product development, which is reflected in our team: around 50 of our 65 employees are active in R&D. And that’s exactly what this phase requires.”

New technology demands a new playing field

Developing a new product within this technology platform takes around 8 to 10 years. That may sound like a long time, but it’s not just about the research. The product must also be tested, scaled up, and ultimately approved. And it’s that final step that takes up the most time. “Once we secure that first approval, we hope it will pave the way for other products based on this technology. We understand it takes time. Every piece of evidence, study, etc., needs to be thoroughly reviewed.”

So how do you even begin such an approval process? “In our case, we approached a European member state, the Netherlands. They have strong expertise in biological crop protection, which means other member states are likely to follow their lead. Over the years, they’ve built up a solid reputation.”

From there, a wide range of studies is required. You need to prove the product works, based on field trials. You also have to demonstrate that it’s non-toxic, since it’s used on food crops. That means mapping out the entire composition of the product. Who manufactures it? What are the potential deviations? It’s become a pretty comprehensive dossier. The Dutch authorities have now issued a positive recommendation to their European counterparts. The next step is for the European Commission to take the file forward.

When Carlo speaks with people - especially investors – their first or second question is how far along Evoca is in the approval process. “Yes, you can tell people are watching us closely. And that’s no surprise. We’re not just breaking ground in terms of technology, but also in terms of regulation. Regulatory bodies are used to analysing chemical products. Now we’re presenting something entirely different: a protein-based solution. That’s a major shift, and experts need time to get up to speed. Once we get approval in the U.S., we know interest in our technology will surge. It will also open doors for researchers who come after us. I strongly believe this is the most important milestone we’ll ever have to reach. Not just for now, but for the long term.”

Looking beyond the field

In the not-so-distant future, products from Biotalys’ “Agrobody platform” will be applicable across various niches. “We’re constantly launching new research tracks. That’s the beauty of working with talented scientists,” Carlo explains. “Right now, we’re exploring post-harvest applications in collaboration with Agrofresh in the U.S. How can we extend the shelf life of produce? From our conversations with growers, we’ve learned that even extending the shelf life of strawberries by a single day could have a huge impact on profit margins. That’s something retailers are eagerly waiting for, too. Just imagine how much spoiled fruit and vegetables they could avoid destroying. That’s another area where Biotalys wants to make a difference. We aim to expand our scope across the entire value chain, even if that’s still a vision for the future.”

Carlo continues, " We’re inevitably moving towards more sustainable agriculture. The way we’re doing things now simply isn’t viable. Do we really need tomatoes at Christmas? Let’s work more in tune with the seasons. I also think current food prices are unsustainable. For us, as ‘wealthy Europeans’, food is incredibly cheap. If we want to be more sustainable, we’ll need to be willing to pay more. I recently saw broccoli in the supermarket for 70 cents. What’s left for the farmer? I don’t even want to think about it. Fortunately, we’re seeing that the demand for sustainable food is no longer just a trend, it’s becoming a societal expectation.”