Milling & Baking News - November 2, 2021 - 15

BASF Venture invests
in developer of AI
technology for breeding
LUDWIGSHAFEN, GERMANY - BASF Venture Capital GmbH
(BVC), the venture arm of BASF Group, is investing in Computomics,
a bioinformatics company based in Tubingen, Germany.
Computomics uses artificial intelligence for predictive crop
breeding. The technology analyzes a plant's genome together with
local environmental data and provides customers with recommendations
for developing higher-performing crops that adapt to
changing climate. The technology also speeds up breeding.
" Computomics' advanced technology enables plant breeders
to make a data-based preselection to identify candidates with the
greatest yield potential for each
environment and each region, "
Ludwigshafen-based BASF said.
" The disruptive technology combines
traditional plant breeding
processes with an extensive set
of additional variables, such as
the climate and future regional
climate change, the soil microbiome,
genetic diversity and
agricultural practices, in order to
fully capture the plant's environment and its genetics. "
With this information, Computomics' technology simulates all
possible crosses, considers the qualities of millions of potential
progenies to optimize the selection process.
Sebastian J. Schultheiss, co-founder and managing director
of Computomics, called the company's technology unique to the
market.
" Using it shortens the time-to-market for a new crop variety
and also decreases land and water usage, " he said. " By using naturally
available biodiversity, it represents a competitive alternative
to genetic modification. "
Terms of the BASF investment were not disclosed. Participating
in the investment round was Amathaon Capital, a venture
capital firm based in Munich. Seed round investors were HighTech
Gründerfonds and MBG Mittelständische Beteiligungsgesellschaft
Baden-Württemberg.
BVC said the investment in Computomics represents a step
toward actualizing the European Green Deal's goal of reducing
fertilizers and pesticides. Additionally, crops resilient to climate
change generate higher yields, require less arable land or are
resistant to pests and help make agriculture more sustainable,
BVC added.
" The investment in Computomics is the latest in a number of
our activities that support BASF's strategy of fostering innovations
to realize the Green Deal, " said Markus Solibieda, managing
director of BVC. " These innovations also include technologies that
contribute to producing affordable and sustainable food. " MBN
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Milling & Baking News - November 2, 2021

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