Novus in R&D alliance with biotech company Agrivida
The alliance, said the parties, combines Novus’s nearly 30 years of research, sales and marketing experience with Agrivida’s novel technology, allowing both companies to grow the customer base as well as explore new innovative products through R&D collaboration.
CEO of Novus, Dan Meagher, led the Massachusetts headquartered Agrivida, prior to taking up his current position. “Agrivida’s novel and innovative technology allows for the delivery of feed additives in a completely unique and very sustainable way – directly inside of the grain,” he said.
Agrivida was founded in 2003 by scientists from MIT, experts in biochemistry, plant biology, molecular biology, agriculture, and nutrition. They discovered a way to incorporate feed additives directly into corn grown for feed targeted at farmed animals. The company claims that by having the additive inside of the grain, the molecules are more efficiently absorbed, and producers can improve both animal performance and their bottom line. Their work has led to the development of a sustainable production platform with application potential for many types of feed additives.
Al Zimmerman, senior director of global product development at Novus, told FeedNavigator.
“This is a true strategic partnership, with a focus on investment in developing innovative and novel technologies and products for animal health through nutrition. Novus’s R&D team at the company’s headquarters in the US are working with Agrivida’s scientists to test new products and applications and have already began trials. The companies are also working together to register in major markets around the world.”
In 2018, we reported on how Agrivida was making its enzyme-expressing corn feed ingredient, Grainzyme Phytase, available to the US poultry market.
Grainzyme Phytase corn is grown, milled, and then provided for inclusion in animal feed; it is designed to replace a fraction of the traditional corn that producers already feed their flocks. The functional benefits of enzymes are built right into the grain, said the biotech company.
Agrivida partnered with Kerry Animal Health and Nutrition on distribution of that product in the US poultry sector.
December 2019 saw the same feed ingredient launched for use in US swine operations.
