News
Beta Bugs Ltd Appoints Dr Alan Tinch as CEO to Lead Genetics-Focused Strategy
Beta Bugs Ltd has announced the appointment of Dr Alan Tinch as Chief Executive Officer, effective February 2026. Dr Tinch's appointment follows Beta Bugs' strategic decision in 2025 to focus exclusively on BSF genetics, moving away from pilot-scale manufacturing operations. This pivot reflects the company's assessment of competitive dynamics in the UK BSF market and positions Beta Bugs to capitalise on its core strength: developing superior genetic strains for the rapidly growing global insect protein industry.
Axol Bioscience to expand in Edinburgh after $2.8m funding deal
Axol Bioscience has secured $2.8 million (around £2.1 million) in funding, part of which will be used to expand its operations in Edinburgh.
The investment was led by US life sciences specialist BroadOak Capital Partners, with the company’s founding investor, the Roslin Foundation, also participating.
Source: Scottish Financial News
AbacusBio Deepen Strategic Partnership with Bayer to Pioneer the Future of Predictive Plant Breeding
AbacusBio is proud to announce the extension of their multi-year collaboration with Bayer to 2030, marking a significant leap forward in predictive plant breeding and agricultural innovation. Building on the momentum of their successful partnership, which began in 2020, the two companies are expanding and evolving their joint efforts to deliver transformative solutions for growers, markets, and consumers worldwide.
Edinburgh Napier University and biotech firm AlgiSys announce collaboration
A new partnership between Edinburgh Napier University (ENU) and Scottish American biotechnology company AlgiSys will aim to harness the environmental potential of algae to address global pressures on food supply.
AlgiSys’ innovative technology uses biomass fermentation of microalgae to create a clean, vegan source of EPA rich omega-3s and plant protein. Omega-3s are commonly found in fish oil and have widespread health benefits for humans, animals and fish.
Developing the UK-ADB food and nature partnership
In mid-July, a senior delegation from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) embarked on a UK mission with a series of business meetings at venues across the UK, designed to develop the ADB–UK Food and Nature Partnership launched earlier in the year by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and ADB.
This partnership aims to advance investments in biodiversity, ecosystems, and food systems transformation.
MYGroup enters joint venture with Beta Bugs to secure supply of Black Soldier Fly eggs
MYGroup has entered into a joint venture with insect genetics company Beta Bugs to supply eggs for its Black Soldier Fly (BSF) bioconversion Insectology™ process for food waste management.
Under the joint venture, Beta Bugs will become MYGroup’s exclusive supplier of BSF eggs, with a new breeding and hatching facility to be established at the waste management company’s The Maltings site at South Milford, near Leeds.
Nick Challoner appointed as Chief Executive Officer at Ingenza
Ingenza Limited, a technology driven contract research, development and manufacturing organisation (CRDMO), has announced the appointment of Nick Challoner as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective the 1st of October, 2025.
New test uses oyster poo to track devastating parasite
A Heriot-Watt scientist has worked with colleagues at the University of Edinburgh's Roslin Institute to develop a groundbreaking method to detect a deadly oyster parasite without harming the shellfish.
The European flat oyster (Ostrea edulis) has seen its numbers plummet over the past two centuries due to overfishing, habitat loss and disease. They are now rare and protected in the wild.
£326k given to insect protein research
Innovate UK has awarded £326,610 to help the UK insect sector address regulatory barriers.
This IBC-Net project, led by UK Agri-Tech Centre Ltd, will overcome regulatory hurdles in insect bioconversion, the process of using insects to break down organic waste into protein for animal feed, oils or fertiliser.
Gene-edited pigs approved for US market
Pigs produced to be resistant to one of the world’s most costly livestock diseases, using technology developed by the Roslin Institute, have been approved for sale to US consumers.
The US Food and Drug Administration has approved the use of a gene-editing technology that makes pigs resistant to Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) for the US food supply chain.