Intrinsyx Bio

California-based Intrinsyx Bio develops biofertilizers, using plant-based endophytes (microbes living in the plant) for all types of crops including farm crops, ornamental crops, and turf. The endophyte strains are derived from trees grown in the Pacific Northwest region where nutrient levels are low. Intrinsyx Bio’s endophyte-based biofertilizers contain microbes that provide nitrogen to plants by fixing atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia. It also solubilizes phosphorus in the soil, increasing phosphorus availability. The company claims that its fertilizer would be compatible with conventional and organic farming practices.

As of June 2022, Intinsyx Bio had not commercialized its offering. The company had licensed the endophyte strains from the University of Washington, which is based on three decades of academic research. The company also validated this technology, having conducted 200 field trials on 20 different types of plants, demonstrating increased yields. Intrinsyx also reported that it was actively trialing with large players in the forestry industry across the Pacific Northwest and Southeast US.

In February 2022, the company signed a technology agreement with Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC), a global diversified chemicals company, where the latter would evaluate the endophyte biofertilizer’s ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen and increase crop yields.