Editorial Deep Dive // Can Biologicals Deliver Consistency, Credibility, and Scale?

17 Mar 2026
Breakout Room
Breakout Sessions

Go beyond the main-stage R&D conversations and focus on real-world commercialization and deployment. As the main stage pauses, these fast-paced panels and interactive roundtables in breakout rooms will explore what it takes to move biological innovations from discovery to large-scale deployment. Discussions will center on the scientific, regulatory, and operational requirements needed for biologicals to deliver credible, consistent agronomic value at scale. Hear practical insights from corporates, startups, and investors, and join the conversation to surface new ideas and shared challenges.

  • With oversupply, pricing pressure, and generics crowding the biologicals space, what evidence-based criteria should define true differentiation?  
  • Across bioprotection and biostimulant categories, which innovations demonstrate the strongest multi-season, multi-geography consistency? What trial standards, environmental performance envelopes, and integrated solution requirements are needed to validate their real-world reliability and strengthen field repeatability?
  • How can the industry establish higher standards and seamless data flow, and what role should regulators play in enabling faster, science-based registration of biological products? 
     

Campfire Hosts:

  • Jacqui Campbell, Global Head Technology & Partnerships Biologicals - SYNGENTA
  • Benoit Hartmann, Head of R&D, Biologics - BAYER CROP SCIENCE
  • Josh Armstrong, Integrated Discovery & Bioprocess Leader - CORTEVA AGRISCIENCE
  • Corey Huck, CEO - PROVIVI
  • Georg Goeres, CEO - MICROPEP TECHNOLOGIES

  • Philip Erlanger, Founder and Managing Partner - ALIMENT CAPITAL
  • Mikayla Mooney, Partner - AG STARTUP ENGINE
  • Yanniv Dorone, Managing Director - FALL LINE CAPITAL
Host
Vipula Shukla
Vipula Shukla, Senior Program Officer, Agriculture R&D - GATES FOUNDATION
Speakers
Jacqui Campbell
Jacqui Campbell, Global Head Technology & Partnerships Biologicals - SYNGENTA
Benoit Hartmann
Benoit Hartmann, R&D, Lead of Insights, Partnerships & Biologics - BAYER CROP SCIENCE
Ashish Batra
Ashish Batra, Vice President, Crop Health R&D - CORTEVA AGRISCIENCE
Corey Huck
Corey Huck, CEO - PROVIVI
Georg Goeres
Georg Goeres, President & CEO - MICROPEP TECHNOLOGIES