Spin-off companies
Both fundamental and applied research are of utmost importance for our society. To ensure the basic research performed in the lab has valuable economic and societal relevance, prof. Goormachtig has contributed to the establishment of the start-up companies Aphea.Bio, which focusses on the use of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria in agriculture, and Protealis, which aims to optimize the production of sustainable plant protein for Europe.
Aphea.Bio
Aphea.Bio works to harness the power of nature to enhance agricultural productivity sustainably. Plants have evolved intricate relationships with microorganisms, which can significantly boost plant health and growth. By leveraging these natural interactions, Aphea.Bio aims to develop innovative microbial products that enhance crop fitness without relying on synthetic fertilizers or pesticides.
Product lines of Aphea.Bio include biostimulants that improve plant nutrient uptake and biocontrol agents that protect against diseases. Committed to scientific excellence, Aphea.Bio employs a cutting-edge R&D platform that integrates bioinformatics, microbiome mapping, advanced microorganism culturing, high-throughput crop phenotyping, and data analysis. All with the eventual goal to provide farmers with effective, eco-friendly solutions for sustainable farming.
For more information, click the following link:
Protealis
Inspired by our mission to develop sustainable, locally-produced plant proteins, Protealis is focused on fully harnessing the potential of legumes. With innovative breeding technologies and patented seed coatings, Protealis creates new opportunities for European farmers to help address the protein deficit in Europe and meet the rising demand for meat and dairy alternatives, for both consumers and the food industry.
Protealis was founded in April 2021 as a spin-off from the VIB (Flemish Institute for Biotechnology) and ILVO (Institute for Agricultural, Fisheries, and Food Research). Today, Protealis is a commercial-stage company offering several early-maturing soybean varieties from the 000-maturity group. The company is located in the biotechnology cluster in Ghent, Belgium.
For more information, click the following link: