Partnerships
Switch Bioworks and Bayer Crop Science Partner on Genetic Switch Biofertilisers
By News Desk ·
Key takeaways
- Switch Bioworks and Bayer Crop Science have partnered on genetic switch technology for next-generation biofertilisers, initially targeting nitrogen fixation.
- Switch's engineered microbes produced five times more nitrogen than always-on control strains in grow-room studies.
- Switch has USDA and EPA authorisation for field trials in the US Midwest and CTNBio approval in Brazil.
Switch Bioworks, a US deep tech company, announced a strategic collaboration with Bayer Crop Science on its genetic switch technology for next-generation biofertilisers, with nitrogen fixation as an initial focus. The B2B Marketplace reported the partnership on October 19, 2026.
How the Switch Bioworks and Bayer Collaboration Works
Switch Bioworks engineers microbes that establish on plant roots before switching on nitrogen production, according to the company. In grow-room studies, that genetic programming produced five times more nitrogen than always-on control strains. The company said its genetically engineered microbes were first developed at Stanford.
Dr. Tim Schnabel, founder and CEO of Switch Bioworks, said: "Bayer's commitment to advancing agriculture through innovative biological solutions is unparalleled, and they have long demonstrated a sophisticated understanding of the complexities of nitrogen performance in corn." He added that the collaboration marks a pivotal milestone for the company.
Benoit Hartmann, Insights, Innovation & Partnerships Lead at Bayer Crop Science, said growers need more options to manage unpredictable conditions and protect crop potential. "To address these incredibly complex challenges, we partner with innovators like Switch Bioworks around the world to help bring solutions to growers," he said, citing Bayer's capabilities in product development, formulation, field testing and commercialisation.
Bayer CropScience shareholders approved Ravi Moti Kirpalani as an independent director on October 13, 2026, with 99.99% votes in favour, according to ScanX.
Switch Bioworks Field Trials and Funding
According to akta.pro company records, Switch Bioworks received first-in-class regulatory approval from the USDA and EPA in June 2026 and launched multi-site field trials for its microbial nitrogen biofertiliser on corn in the US Midwest. The same records show a $2 million grant from the US Department of Energy ARPA-E TEOSYNTE program in January 2025 to develop nitrogen-fixing microbes for cereal crops targeting nitrous oxide emission reductions. Switch Bioworks has four funding rounds on record, including a $17 million seed round in September 2024 led by Change Capital Partners.
Switch Bioworks' Earlier Approvals and Appointments
Switch Bioworks announced on October 13, 2026 a collaboration with Bayer Crop Science to develop biological nitrogen fertilisers using its genetic switch technology, with field trials underway in the US, PR Newswire reported. On September 30, 2026, the company received approval from Brazil's CTNBio for its engineered nitrogen-fixing microbes, advancing field testing in the country, PR Newswire reported. Switch Bioworks said on August 25, 2026 that Gordana M. Djordjevic would become Chief Scientific Officer and Eric Bartels would join its Board of Advisors, PR Newswire reported.
Switch Bioworks' US and Brazil Field Trials
Switch Bioworks has USDA and EPA authorisation for field trials at multiple sites across the US Midwest, and secured approvals in Brazil from the National Technical Biosafety Commission (CTNBio).