Biocentis has secured a $19 million funding package to advance its genetically engineered insect technologies aimed at reducing the global health, agricultural, and biodiversity threats posed by harmful insect species. The raise combines a $13 million seed equity investment led by the Grantham Foundation for the Protection of the Environment and Algebris Investments, along with a $6 million award from Wellcome.
Headquartered in London and Milan, the Imperial College London spin-out is developing genetically engineered insects designed to reduce fertility within targeted species. When released, these insects mate with wild populations, lowering their numbers while leaving other species untouched. The company’s platform integrates genome engineering with AI-driven simulations to model biological performance in real-world environments, accelerating product development and enabling more accurate predictions of emerging risks.
Biocentis’ initial solutions focus on Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which transmit dengue, Zika, yellow fever, and chikungunya, as well as Drosophila suzukii, a fruit fly that threatens global crop production. The company plans to move its first solutions into field trials across the Americas and other regions while expanding its technology to additional species.
The company’s mission addresses escalating global challenges. Insect-borne diseases infect hundreds of millions of people annually, leading to nearly one million deaths. Agricultural pests destroy up to one quarter of global crop yields, and invasive species continue to threaten biodiversity. Climate change and increased international trade are amplifying the spread of harmful insects, putting additional pressure on current intervention methods.
The company says programmable genetic tools allow for precise control that avoids the drawbacks of chemical pesticides, which have dominated the industry for more than a century. With insects evolving resistance and collateral environmental damage mounting, Biocentis sees its platform as a sustainable and scalable alternative.
KEY QUOTES:
“Advances in genetics now let us control harmful insect populations while preserving surrounding ecosystems.”
“For over a century, we have relied on chemical pesticides, but insects evolve faster than chemical interventions, and the collateral damage to people and the environment continues to mount. Advances in genetics now let us control harmful insect populations with precision while preserving the health of surrounding ecosystems.”
Giorgio Rocca, Co-founder and CEO of Biocentis
