农业百科

Corteva spinout Vylor’s relocation to Johnston, Iowa last month is a significant move for both the company and the…

Gustavo Mamao co-founded an agricultural biocontrol company two decades ago, which was acquired by Stoller 10 years late…

30 KEY POINTS African agritech startups raised at least $33 million in disclosed funding across September 2026, led by I…

Novartis’ gene therapy Zolgensma is once again under scrutiny over potentially serious side effects. Since its initial approval in 2019, the Swiss pharmaceutical group has reported nine cases of tumors in previously treated patients. According to the company, two of these cases suggest that DNA from the viral vector used in the therapy had integrated into the patients’ genomes. In both cases, the patients had received treatment and remain under observation, Novartis said. According to the company, more than 6,000 patients have received Zolgensma through clinical trials, compassionate use programs and routine medical care.

Oculis: Roche’s neuroscience head joins after a Phase 3 setback. Björn Tackenberg has become chief scientific officer as Oculis concentrates on its remaining late-stage programs. In May, the Swiss biotech said it would not seek U.S. approval for OCS-01 in diabetic macular edema after two pivotal trials failed to improve vision. Its priorities now include the PIONEER registrational program for Privosegtor in optic nerve diseases and a registrational dry eye trial for Licaminlimab. Tackenberg was previously Roche’s head of integrative neuroscience and medical practice. Before that, he led a neuroimmunology center at Germany’s Marburg University, where he established a unit that conducted more than 75 randomized trials. At Oculis, he will guide Privosegtor’s scientific strategy and assess its potential in acute multiple sclerosis relapses and other neurological conditions. Oculis also recently hired neurologist Aaron Tansy to lead development of its neurology franchise.

Brazilian biotech company IdeeLab and ag giant Bayer will bring biological-based crop protection products to Brazil via …

Why it matters: CPPD, estimated to affect 4% to 7% of adults in Europe and the U.S., is a form of arthritis caused by crystal deposits in and around the joints. It can trigger recurrent attacks of severe pain and swelling, particularly in older people. Unlike gout, where uric acid-lowering drugs can dissolve crystals, CPPD treatment focuses on relieving inflammation and symptoms.

Why it matters: Boehringer Ingelheim is deepening its ties with China’s pharmaceutical industry. The German pharmaceutical company has signed a comprehensive licensing and development agreement with Sino Biopharmaceutical (SBP Group) covering six preclinical cancer therapy programs. The deal focuses on two drug classes that are currently attracting considerable attention in oncology: antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) and T-cell engagers. SBP will initially receive $358 million in upfront and near-term payments. The agreement also includes potential milestone payments of up to $7 billion and tiered royalties on sales of up to double-digit percentages.

For agrifoodtech startups, striking a deal with a large corporate can look like a lifeline. But founders should think tw…