Interview with Dr Minshad Ansari, Founder and CEO of Bionema Ltd

Abstract

Bionema is a leading UK biopesticide technology developer. We create chemical-free, pest management solutions for the horticulture, turf & amenity, landscaping, and forestry sectors. We have more than 30 years' experience in research, development, and the commercialisation of biopesticides. The company was founded in 2012 by Dr Minshad Ansari, a former academic who had already worked at research institutions across India, Belgium, and the UK. He joined Swansea University in 2005 and started working on the development of biopesticides for the control of insect pests in the horticulture and forestry sectors. When he visited growers and farmers, he was often asked about pest control methods that did not require the extensive use of chemical solutions. These queries made him investigate the development of non-toxic, natural methods of pest control that would reduce the need for chemical use. Once Dr Ansari developed his thinking around biopesticide alternatives, he set up Bionema in 2012 a spinout from Swansea University. The focus of Bionema's research was the development and commercialisation of naturally occurring microorganisms for crop protection against pests and diseases thereby reducing the use of synthetic pesticides, enhancing food security, and increasing crop yields. The company established its headquarters at the Institute of Life Science at Swansea University in the UK. In 2017, Bionema made a breakthrough discovery in the development of NemaTrident, a tri-component patented solution, and the conception of the microencapsulation formulation delivery system in 2018 for foliar challenges. Shortly afterwards, Dr Ansari raised £680,000 equity investment and received £1.1 million in grant funding from Innovate UK and the Welsh Government which was used for the development and commercialisation of UniSporeG, a unique fungal bioinsecticide for weevil control in soft fruits. Innovation in biopesticide formulations is a core objective for Bionema, enabling the company to commercialise multiple product lines and to generate a pipeline of advanced and early-stage products that include beneficial nematicides, bioinsecticides, compatible surfactants and delivery platforms. Bionema has also developed a robust patent portfolio and collected a library of more than a hundred commercially viable microorganisms for pipeline candidates.