New Delhi, Dec 8, 2025 – ATGC Biotech, an Indian leader in semiochemical-based crop protection, has launched Semiophore Ltd., a 50:50 Indo-Israeli joint venture (JV) with Luxembourg Industries Ltd. The partnership aims to scale 18 advanced semiochemical and pheromone technologies, opening access to a multi-billion-dollar global market in sustainable agriculture.
“This licensing exchange is a key step in strengthening Indo-Israeli cooperation in agriculture,” said Mr. Moshik Fish, CEO of Luxembourg Industries. “It demonstrates a shared commitment to advancing sustainable agricultural practices.”
ATGC Biotech and Luxembourg Industries JV ‘Semiophore’ Targets Multi-Billion Market With 18 Semiochemical Solutions
The joint venture will invest USD 10 million in regulatory approvals, marketing, and infrastructure development in India and Israel. The 18 licensed products will be rolled out in major agricultural markets, including Israel, Brazil, Australia, and Africa. These products aim to provide sustainable pest control options that are safe for pollinators, free of chemical residues, and reduce pesticide use.
Speaking on behalf of the ATGC Biotech leadership team, Prof Arjula R Reddy, Rolando Alegria CEO, Dr VB Reddy ED, Dr. Markandeya Gorantla, Chairman & Managing Director, ATGC Biotech, said: “This is a defining moment for India’s bioeconomy and for the global semiochemical industry. For the first time, Indian-developed semiochemical technologies will be manufactured and commercialized in Israel, marking a new chapter in Indo–Israeli scientific and industrial cooperation.”
Through Semiophore, India and Israel are jointly shaping the future of sustainable, behaviour-based crop protection with advanced material-science–enabled delivery systems that use minimal pheromone chemistry to achieve season-long performance. The JV will begin initial commercial batches in 2026 and scale to full capacity in 2027, subject to regulatory approvals.
Each of the 18 products is expected to generate USD 75–100 million in revenue at full scale, driven by adoption in crops such as grapes, citrus, cotton, tomatoes, and avocados. The JV will employ advanced material-science platforms to apply pheromones in a controlled, season-long manner, addressing limitations of traditional pest management systems.
Indo-Israeli Agricultural Cooperation
Israel and India have a long history of collaboration in agriculture and technology, and this joint venture builds on that foundation. “The establishment of Semiophore expands our cooperation in agricultural innovation,” said Mr. Uri Rubinstein, Agriculture Attaché at Israel’s MASHAV. “It aligns with our goal of supporting farmers through sustainable, efficient agricultural practices.”
Dr. Rajesh S. Gokhale, Secretary of India’s Department of Biotechnology (DBT), noted the significance of the JV, stating: “This marks a major milestone in India’s biotechnology sector and highlights the role of public investment in developing technologies that can be scaled globally.”
Key Details:
- USD 10 million investment to support infrastructure, marketing, and regulatory processes.
- The JV will scale 18 semiochemical and pheromone technologies in global markets.
- Each product is projected to generate USD 75–100 million in revenue.
- The JV will reduce CO₂ emissions, pesticide use, and water consumption in farming practices.
The JV agreement was announced at the First International Science & Technology (S&T) Clusters Conference in New Delhi, with key attendees including Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, and His Excellency Mr. Fares Saeb, Deputy Ambassador of Israel to India.
The joint venture positions India and Israel to lead in climate-smart agriculture and biological pest control. By developing semiochemical technologies, the partners aim to reduce the agricultural industry’s reliance on chemical pesticides while promoting environmentally friendly farming practices worldwide.
