Bontia Bio secures NZD $1.25m for natural pest solutions

Bontia Bio, a biotechnology company based in New Zealand, has announced a NZD $1.25 million seed funding round aimed at advancing the development of a natural method for producing powerful plant-derived compounds to combat pests and diseases affecting animals and crops.

The funding was led by Sprout Agritech and supported by Booster NZ's Innovation Fund, along with a NZD $750,000 repayable grant from Callaghan Innovation.

The financial backing will support the company in developing natural anti-parasitic treatments in response to growing demands for environmentally sustainable solutions within the animal health sector.

Dr Matt Nicholson, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Bontia Bio, commented on the pressing issues within current flea and tick treatments. "Veterinarians and pet owners are increasingly noticing problems with existing flea and tick treatments, including emerging drug resistance, adverse side effects and negative environmental impacts. Coupled to this, the animal health market is calling for environmentally friendly compounds with novel modes of action and larger therapeutic windows. Bontia Bio is uniquely positioned to meet these needs by providing an effective alternative that is both safe for pets and sustainable for the environment," he stated.

Bontia Bio's technology is a world-first method developed using a patented synthetic biology platform.

The method focuses on producing compounds from the Bontia daphnoides shrub, which have been known for their safety and efficacy but were previously inaccessible in large quantities due to production challenges. Researchers at The Ferrier Research Institute at Victoria University Wellington have addressed these production challenges by developing an advanced microbial fermentation process.

Warren Bebb, Chief Investment Officer for Sprout Agritech, remarked on the innovation's potential. "This is a completely natural product in an industry with very few natural alternatives and it works through a mechanism distinct from existing treatments. That could be a game changer in tackling the growing problem of anti-parasitic resistance. Together, the team is pioneering a new era of bioactive compound production that demonstrates how synthetic biology can bridge the gap between nature and innovation to solve critical challenges in animal health and pest control," he said.

Current testing has demonstrated success against fleas, ticks, and other pests, with the technology also showing potential for agricultural applications such as blowfly control in sheep.

The core of Bontia Bio's approach involves using synthetic biology to replicate nature's defences. By identifying critical enzymes and transferring their genes into a microbial host, the company is able to rapidly produce the desired bioactive compounds in scalable amounts using customised bioreactors. This method avoids traditional extraction methods and provides a more sustainable production solution.

Dr Nicholson highlighted the technological breakthrough by saying, "This world-first technology allows us to tap into nature's superpowers in a way that was never possible before. The process overcomes two fundamental barriers in natural product development - speed and cost - unlocking compounds that were previously inaccessible and bringing them to market as safe, effective and sustainable solutions."

He further commented, "This first product is just the beginning - what we're building is a platform for producing a whole new generation of natural bioactives that address urgent needs in animal health, agriculture and beyond."

Managed by a team of experienced scientists and experts, Bontia Bio is led by Dr Nicholson, who has a background in molecular biology, synthetic biology, and medical devices. Professor Emily Parker, co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer, is a leading figure in biosynthetic pathway engineering and has significantly contributed to the development of the proprietary technology.

Market validation supports the commercial potential of the innovation, with the global market for companion animal treatments being substantial. Bontia Bio aims to first commercialise its flea and tick treatment within the US market, which accounts for a large share of the pet anti-parasitic industry.

According to Dr Nicholson, the platform has broader applications beyond animal health. "The team has identified a family of bioactive compounds with applications in production animal health, crop protection and even human health," he explained.

The recent funding will be used to enhance production capabilities and further increase yields. "Our first commercial product represents a decade's worth of New Zealand research coming to life. We are excited to bring a truly natural, science-backed solution to market and redefine what's possible in pest control," Dr Nicholson concluded.