Kwizda Agro advances commercialisation of fungal-based biostimulants for UK biotech pioneer
Formulation expertise as the driver for biological innovation
Vienna, 23 October 2025 … Kwizda Agro, a leading provider of chemical and biological crop protection solutions in Austria, has been selected to formulate and develop two novel fungal-based biostimulant products for FA Bio, a UK-based biotech company. This collaboration combines FA Bio’s scientific discovery capabilities with Kwizda Agro’s industrial formulation and product development expertise, with the aim of converting FA Bio’s fungal strains—which have demonstrated yield increases of up to 25% in maize and wheat field trials—into stable, scalable, and market-ready products.
“Formulation is the crucial step that allows biological active ingredients to reach their full potential,” says Ronald Hamedl, Managing Director of Kwizda Agro. “With decades of experience in developing microbial and biological solutions, our expertise ensures that FA Bio’s innovations can progress efficiently and reliably toward commercial launch.”
Formulation expertise bridges the gap from scientific breakthrough to farm application
Fungal and other microbial products are highly sensitive to environmental factors such as temperature, moisture, and UV exposure. To ensure efficacy for growers under real farming conditions, advanced formulation technologies are essential. Kwizda Agro leverages its international development network and cutting-edge technology centers in Austria, specializing in stabilizing and scaling biological crop solutions. As part of the partnership, Kwizda Agro is focused on delivering:
- stable formulations that ensure microbial viability,
- innovative carrier and encapsulation technologies for targeted soil application
- and scalable manufacturing processes for industrial production.
“Our role is to translate microbiological breakthroughs into reliable and practical solutions for farmers,” Hamedl adds. “This is our key competence—bridging research, technology, and agricultural application.”
From discovery to commercial impact
FA Bio’s patented SporSenZ™ Microbial Discovery Platform enables direct detection of microorganisms in the crop root zone, increasing the discovery rate of beneficial microbes by up to 6,000 times compared to traditional laboratory approaches. “Kwizda Agro is a great partner to accelerate our microbial discoveries into market-ready products,” says Angela de Manzanos Guinot, CEO at FA Bio. “Their formulation know-how, technical infrastructure, and market insight are vital for bringing biological innovations efficiently and safely to growers.”
Commitment to sustainable agriculture
This strategic partnership strengthens Kwizda Agro’s position as an international leader in the development of biological crop protection and biostimulant solutions. The company is committed to working with global research and biotech partners to drive the transition toward sustainable, nature-based agricultural inputs. “Our vision is clear: we want to equip farmers with high-performance biological products that deliver productivity and sustainability,” says Hamedl. “Our collaboration with FA Bio is a compelling example of how scientific and technical excellence come together to bring biobased innovations to the marketplace.”
About Kwizda Agro
Kwizda Agro is one of Austria’s leading providers of chemical and biological crop protection solutions and a member of the Kwizda Group. With almost 100 years of experience, the company develops innovative active ingredients and produces complex, high-performance formulations at its Leobendorf site. Today, the company’s focus is on biological crop protection—a clear commitment to sustainability rooted in its strategy and advanced at its Leobendorf and Tulln sites. Approximately 480 employees work for Kwizda Agro in Austria, Germany, Italy, Spain, Hungary, Romania, and the USA. Through its international network, the company supports growers with digital, data-driven services for tailored and sustainable plant protection. In doing so, Kwizda Agro contributes to resilient crops and healthy gardens.
More information at http://www.kwizda-agro.com/
About FA Bio
FA Bio is a UK-based biotechnology company specializing in the discovery and commercialization of beneficial microorganisms for regenerative agriculture. With its patented SporSenZ™ technology, FA Bio identifies microbial strains that increase yields and reduce dependence on synthetic crop protection chemicals.
More information at www.fa-bio.net
To download the press release as a PDF file, please click here.
Media Contact:
Kapp Hebein Partner
Michaela Hebein
Email: mh@khpartner.at
Phone: +43 1 2350 422-70
Photo download (free of charge, copyright: Kwizda Agro GmbH):
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Photo 1: For the British biotech company, Kwizda Agro is taking on the formulation and product development of two innovative microbial biostimulants.
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Photo 2: Kwizda Agro has decades of experience in the development of microbial and biological products.
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