Agri Investment Fund (AIF) is investing an additional 5 million euro in Biotalys, the Ghent-based agricultural technology company specializing in the development of biological crop protection products. Additionally supported by Federale Participatie- en Investeringsmaatschappij (FPIM) Biotalys achieves with this a total capital increase of 7 million euro.
Biotalys is developing a strong and diverse pipeline of effective biocontrol products with a favorable safety profile that aim to address key crop pests and diseases across the whole value chain, from soil to plate. The pipeline is based on its proprietary AGROBODY™ technology platform, enabling the discovery and development of a variety of solutions against multiple targets such as fungi, harmful insects and bacteria that are leading to significant crop losses.
Capital increase of 7 million euro
Agri Investment Fund (AIF), the investment fund within the Boerenbond group (Farmers Union), has been investor in Biotalys since its creation in 2013. Biotalys announces today that it has successfully obtained additional capital from the existing shareholders Agri Investment Fund (AIF) and Federale Participatie- en Investeringsmaatschappij (FPIM) for a total amount of 7 million euro through a private placement. In this transaction, AIF will invest an additional 5 million euro while FPIM will contribute another 2 million euro. In addition, Biotalys will propose to its shareholders to nominate AIF, permanently represented by Patrik Haesen, CEO of AIF, to join the Board of Directors of Biotalys.
“We are convinced that farmers in Belgium and around the world need new tools to protect their yields while reducing their impact on the environment,” said Patrik Haesen, CEO of AIF. “We have supported Biotalys from the beginning and today we want to further develop our position as a committed partner with a long-term vision, able to offer financial support as well as a large network and professional advice in different agricultural sectors.”
Patrice Sellès, CEO of Biotalys said, “Having validated our approach with several collaborations, including the recent strategic partnership with Syngenta, we welcome the additional support of current shareholders, bringing us another step closer to our ultimate goal of providing growers all over the world, and especially in our home country Belgium, with innovative and cost-effective solutions.”
Read the full press release here
