Biocentis Raises $19 Million to Advance Programmable Biology Solutions for Sustainable Insect Control
Biocentis, a London and Milan‑based life‑science company spun out of Imperial College London and focused on pioneering programmable biology for sustainable insect control, has raised $19 million in funding to advance its technology platform into field trials and broaden its applications in public health, agriculture and ecosystem protection.
The financing comprises a $13 million seed equity investment and a $6 million award from a leading global health foundation, bringing Biocentis’ total recent capital raised to $19 million. The seed component was led by The Grantham Foundation for the Protection of the Environment, a philanthropic institution focused on environmental sustainability, together with Algebris Investments through its climate‑oriented Algebris Climatech fund, demonstrating broad support from both environmental and climate tech investors.
Additional participation in the seed round came from Neurone, Corbites, Novaterra and a network of visionary entrepreneurs including founders from prominent European tech companies, highlighting a diverse base of backers with interests in deep tech, biotech and sustainability innovation. Complementing the equity investment, the $6 million award from Wellcome, one of the world’s foremost global health foundations, underscores confidence in Biocentis’ potential to contribute to public health outcomes alongside agricultural and ecological benefits.
Biocentis was founded to re‑imagine insect management by building on decades of research into genetic control methods and leveraging cutting‑edge genome engineering and artificial intelligence. The company develops insects engineered to carry genetic traits that reduce the fertility of target species such as disease‑spreading mosquitoes and invasive crop pests. When released, these engineered insects mate with wild populations to decrease their numbers without harming other species or the environment. Biocentis also uses AI to create digital twins that simulate biological systems in real‑world conditions, helping to accelerate development and anticipate emerging insect‑borne risks.
The company’s initial product portfolio focuses on high‑impact targets: Aedes aegypti, a mosquito species responsible for transmitting diseases like dengue, Zika, yellow fever and chikungunya, and Drosophila suzukii, an invasive fruit fly that poses significant threats to global fruit production. By combining genetic engineering with advanced computational modelling, Biocentis aims to provide solutions that are both precise and environmentally sustainable, addressing the limitations and collateral impacts of traditional chemical pesticides.
Giorgio Rocca, Co‑founder and CEO of Biocentis, said that the new funding will enable the company to advance its first solutions into field trials across key regions including the United States and Brazil, while continuing to expand its platform to cover additional species and applications. The capital is expected to accelerate on‑the‑ground validation of the technology and support the company’s broader mission to protect human health, agricultural productivity and biodiversity in the face of rising insect‑borne threats.
The financing also comes amid intensifying global challenges posed by harmful insects. Disease‑carrying species infect hundreds of millions of people annually, resulting in substantial morbidity and mortality globally. At the same time, agricultural pests destroy a significant percentage of crop yields worldwide, contributing to economic losses and food security pressures. Rising global temperatures and increased international trade are expanding the geographic range of many species, turning previously localized threats into global problems that demand scalable, safe solutions.
In addition to disease and crop damage, invasive insects are placing stress on native ecosystems and biodiversity, further highlighting the need for innovative, ecosystem‑friendly approaches to pest control. Biocentis’ programmable biology platform is designed to meet these needs by offering targeted genetic solutions that minimise collateral environmental impact, contrasting with traditional chemical interventions that can have broad, non‑specific effects on non‑target organisms.
Biocentis’ leadership team includes experts in genetic control, computational biology and biotech management, drawing on deep research foundations from Imperial College London to transition next‑generation solutions from laboratory research to real‑world deployment. With the new funding in place, the company is positioned to expand its research and development capabilities, build strategic partnerships, and move toward impactful field trials that could reshape how harmful insect populations are managed sustainably.
The $19 million funding milestone represents a significant step forward for Biocentis as it scales its biologically‑driven insect control platform and continues its long‑term vision to deliver safer, more effective and environmentally responsible alternatives to conventional pest control methods.
