UoH Alumni Secure Global Agri-Biotech Deals at Bharat Innovates 2026 Summit
Two University of Hyderabad alumni-founded firm, ATGC Biotech, secured major international partnerships at the Bharat Innovates 2026 summit in France. These deals for their patented pheromone-based crop protection technology mark a significant step in commercializing Indian deep-tech innovations across global agricultural markets.
Highlights
- •Two UoH alumni secured major international deals at Bharat Innovates 2026 in France.
- •ATGC Biotech partnered with Albaugh Europe for its patented pheromone-based crop protection.
- •A joint venture with Luxembourg Industries Ltd will develop 18 new agricultural products.
- •The company's pest-control technology has already been deployed across 200,000 acres.
Two University of Hyderabad (UoH) alumni have successfully propelled their home-grown agricultural biotechnology venture into the global arena, securing significant international partnerships at the Bharat Innovates 2026 summit. This prestigious event served as a platform for showcasing India's sophisticated deep-tech innovations to an international audience of industry leaders and potential investors.
ATGC Biotech Pvt Ltd, an innovative company co-founded by Dr. Markandeya Gorantla and Dr. V.B. Reddy, was among a select group of 120 Indian startups chosen to represent the nation at the international showcase. The event, which took place in Nice, France, from June 14 to 16, highlighted key collaborative efforts between India and France within the technology sector.
Global Partnerships and Innovation
Both founders possess deep academic roots at the University of Hyderabad, specifically within the department of plant sciences. Dr. Gorantla, who earned his PhD in plant sciences, currently serves as the chairman and managing director of ATGC Biotech, while Dr. Reddy, who holds an MSc, a bioinformatics diploma, and a PhD, functions as the executive director of the firm.
The company utilized the Bharat Innovates 2026 platform to announce two major international agreements aimed at expanding its market reach. First, a strategic licensing agreement was exchanged with Albaugh Europe, encompassing six crop-protection products derived from ATGC Biotech's patented CREMIT pheromone technology. Additionally, the firm bolstered its international footprint through SEMIOPHORE Ltd, a joint venture established with Luxembourg Industries Ltd. This partnership is set to develop a comprehensive portfolio of 18 distinct products targeting the global agricultural market.
Advancing Sustainable Agriculture
The significance of these agreements was underscored by the presence of Ajay Kumar Sood, the principal scientific adviser to the government of India, and Manish Diwan, an official from the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council. Furthermore, the delegation had the opportunity to engage in discussions with Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal.
Dr. Gorantla noted that this milestone illustrates a new era for Indian science, where domestic research facilities are producing globally relevant technologies and intellectual property. Headquartered in Genome Valley, Hyderabad, ATGC Biotech has pioneered a unique approach to sustainable farming. Their proprietary pheromone-based crop protection system effectively manages pest populations by disrupting their mating cycles, offering an alternative to traditional, chemical-heavy insecticides.
The company reports that its groundbreaking technology has already been implemented across more than 200,000 acres of farmland. Through these new international collaborations, the organization is actively commercializing its solutions, extending its reach across markets in Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
