Ibi Ag
Founded 2017 · 21 employees on LinkedIn · 6 known investors
IBI-Ag develops selective bio-insecticides based on single domain antibody technology that target specific proteins in insect pests, aimed at helping farmers protect crops with minimal harm to workers, consumers, and the environment. The company operates in the agricultural biotechnology and biological pest control sector.
Also known as IBI Ag · IBI Ag Ltd. · IBI-Ag
Founders & leadership
Ibi Ag was founded in 2017 by Rony Oren Benaroya and Amir Ayali.
Investors · 6
Also in the syndicate · 4
Company profile
researched Aug 2026IBI Ag Ltd. is an Israeli agricultural biotechnology company based in Nes Tziona (Ness Ziona) that develops biological insecticides built on single-domain antibodies, also known as nanobodies. The technology is adapted from pharmaceutical antibody science and modified for agricultural use, providing new modes of action for insect control. The nanobodies are produced through a fermentation process and can be sprayed on plants in the field, where they bind to proteins in the insect gut, damaging the digestive system and disrupting the pest's ability to feed or reproduce.
The company's products under development target a broad spectrum of pests, including sucking insects such as aphids and chewing insects such as caterpillars, across most crops, with high-value crops as the initial focus and row crops to follow. Because the nanobodies are natural material, the company states they break down quickly after spraying and are intended to limit harm to non-target and beneficial organisms, other animals, and groundwater, while remaining stable across varied field conditions.
In March 2026 IBI Ag announced completion of a proof of concept for an AI-driven platform for the de novo design of bioinsecticide proteins, in which computationally designed proteins were validated in insect bioassays against key agricultural pests. The company describes the platform as extending its pipeline beyond naturally occurring proteins and as a route to optimize production cost, shelf life, stability and resiliency, with greenhouse and field trials planned for coming growing seasons.
Founding story
The company was established in 2017 by Israeli technology incubator and investor The Trendlines Group together with scientific founders Prof./Dr. Amir Ayali and Dr. Rony Oren Benaroya, with support from the Israel Innovation Authority.
Business model
Development-stage crop protection company creating proprietary bioinsecticide active ingredients based on single-domain antibodies, with plans to advance products through regulatory approval and commercialization in collaboration with agricultural partners and stakeholders.
Not yet commercialized; the company is funded by venture and strategic investment plus Israel Innovation Authority grants while advancing products toward regulatory approval and market launch.
Traction
Completed a $10 million Series A round in November 2025 led by Corteva Catalyst; conducting field trials as of early 2025 with plans to begin the US regulatory process; completed proof of concept with in vivo insect validation for its AI de novo protein design platform in March 2026.
Latest developments
In March 2026 IBI Ag announced completion of the proof of concept for its AI-driven de novo bioinsecticide protein design platform, including in vivo insect validation of designed proteins, and said it plans greenhouse and field trials in upcoming growing seasons to expand its development pipeline.
▸Full profile — market position, technology, go-to-market, geography, history, risks & controversies
Market position
Positioned in the agricultural biologicals and bioinsecticide segment as an antibody-based alternative to conventional chemical insecticides; the company states its de novo protein design platform is, to its knowledge, the first applied to bioinsecticides. Its lead investor Corteva describes the technology as having considerable potential in next-generation biological and naturally inspired crop protection.
Technology
Proprietary platform based on single-domain antibodies (nanobodies) that are roughly ten times smaller than conventional antibodies, allowing more antibody molecules per gram of active ingredient and improving cost effectiveness for agricultural use. The nanobodies are produced by fermentation, sprayed on plants, and bind to essential proteins in the insect gut. The company has added an AI-driven computational platform that designs novel bioinsecticide proteins de novo using proprietary biological data and IP, with candidates validated in insect bioassays.
Go-to-market
The company is conducting field trials and pursuing regulatory registration, beginning with the United States and followed by Latin America and Europe, and states it works with agricultural partners and stakeholders, including a collaboration with Corteva through the Corteva Catalyst platform, to reach farmers.
Farmers and growers, initially in high-value crops and subsequently row crops, facing sucking and chewing insect pests.
Geography
Headquartered in Nes Tziona (Ness Ziona), Israel, where the technology has been developed. The United States is the company's first target market, with plans to register products in Latin America and Europe.
History
IBI Ag was formed in 2017 by The Trendlines Group together with founders Amir Ayali, PhD, and Rony Oren Benaroya, PhD, with support from the Israel Innovation Authority. In February 2025 it closed a $6.1 million first tranche of a Series A round led by Corteva Catalyst, and in November 2025 it completed the round at a total of $10 million with additional investors Bandera Capital and First Imagine Ventures. In March 2026 the company announced the successful proof of concept of an AI-driven de novo protein design platform for bioinsecticides.
Risks & controversies
Products remain in development and depend on the outcome of greenhouse and field trials and on regulatory approval processes in the United States, Latin America and Europe. Cost of antibody production has historically limited agricultural use of antibodies, and biological products face grower concerns about price and about stability and shelf life.
Compiled by commissioned research from 8 cited public sources — announcements, filings, and press listed under research sources below.
Key figures
latest reportedCompany-reported or press-reported figures, each dated to when it was claimed — not independently audited.
Timeline · 3
launches, deals, and filingsIBI Ag announced successful completion of a proof of concept for an AI platform that computationally designs novel bioinsecticide proteins, with designed proteins validated in insect bioassays; greenhouse and field trials planned for upcoming growing seasons.
Second and final tranche completing a $10 million Series A, with Bandera Capital and First Imagine Ventures joining existing investors; funds allocated to product development and regulatory advancement.
$10M source ↗
First part of the Series A round, led by Corteva through Corteva Catalyst with participation from The Trendlines Group, Iron Nation, Consensus Business Group and a grant from the Israel Innovation Authority; proceeds directed largely to scale-up and regulatory work.
$6.1M source ↗
Dated company events from announcements, filings, and press; legal rows summarize public dockets and regulator releases.
▸Research sources · 8
primary sources listed
- IBI Ag Announces Successful Development of AI-Driven De Novo Protein Design Platform for Bioinsecticidesprnewswire.com · web
8 public sources were cited for this profile; the first-party ones are listed here.
Frequently asked questions
- What does Ibi Ag do?
- Israeli agri-biotech developing nanobody-based bioinsecticides that selectively target insect pests in high-value crops.
- Who founded Ibi Ag?
- Ibi Ag was founded by Rony Oren Benaroya, Amir Ayali in 2017.
- Who are Ibi Ag's investors?
- Ibi Ag's investors include First Imagine!, Trendlines Group.