The future of biologicals depends on a balance of technological integration, climate value anchors, and regulatory agility

In an era where agriculture faces unprecedented challenges from climate change and regulatory shifts, biological solutions have emerged as critical tools for sustainable farming. Few companies understand this transformation better than Futureco Bioscience. In this exclusive interview, CEO and President Rafael Juncosa offers unique insights into how disruptive technologies like AI are revolutionizing biologicals R&D, shares the company's most promising climate adaptation solutions, and navigates the complex global regulatory landscape. As Futureco Bioscience expands its footprint into Brazil and advances its proprietary Genomaat platform, Juncosa's perspective illuminates not just the future of his company, but the trajectory of the entire agricultural biologicals sector.

How are disruptive technologies, such as AI and machine learning, transforming biologicals R&D and application in agriculture? Could you share a specific example of an innovative approach or breakthrough?

Disruptive technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are profoundly transforming biologicals R&D. At Futureco Bioscience, these technologies are not just future possibilities—they are already embedded in our workflows, driving efficiency, precision, and scientific rigor.

One key aspect where AI is making a difference is bibliographic research. The sheer volume of scientific literature available today is overwhelming, but AI allows us to rapidly process, filter, and extract relevant insights, dramatically increasing the amount of knowledge we can incorporate into our research. This is particularly valuable in regulatory dossier preparation, where AI accelerates data compilation and analysis, ensuring compliance while significantly streamlining the approval process.

Beyond literature review, AI plays a crucial role in screening active ingredients, proteins, DNA, and RNA, allowing us to curate a more precise set of active ingredients candidates with the highest potential for efficacy and sustainability. Thanks to powerful screenings powered by AI, we can rapidly identify microbial strains, metabolites, and bioactive molecules, significantly reducing the time required to pinpoint the most promising solutions.

These advancements illustrate how AI and ML are not only accelerating innovation but also enhancing the reliability and real-world impact of biological solutions. At Futureco Bioscience, the integration of AI-powered bioinformatics, automated screening, and regulatory processing marks a new era of efficiency and precision—ensuring that farmers and agronomists have access to the most effective, science-backed, and field-proven biologicals available today.

What emerging biological solutions do you see as most promising for addressing climate change adaptation and resilience in agriculture?

As climate change continues to challenge global agriculture, biological solutions are becoming the cornerstone of a more resilient and sustainable food system. At Futureco Bioscience, we recognize biostimulants, microbial inoculants, soil regenerators, and advanced biocontrol solutions as some of the most promising tools for helping farmers adapt to shifting climate conditions while maintaining productivity and soil health.

Biostimulants—such as Fitomaat and UltraV—are proving invaluable in enhancing crop resilience to drought, heat stress, and salinity. Additionally, soil regenerators play a crucial role in restoring soil structure, enhancing microbial biodiversity and overall soil functionality, and improving carbon sequestration, ensuring long-term fertility and resilience.

All these tools, when combined with the power of informed decision-making, are taking biological solutions to the next level. This is precisely what is happening with Genomaat, our proprietary platform that integrates machine learning and soil metagenomic data for advanced agronomic analysis. When paired with our deep expertise in the physiological effects of our treatments on plants, soil, and crop health, this analysis provides unparalleled insights into the impact of environmental factors on crop performance.

Moreover, this data-driven approach aligns with global efforts to enhance agricultural resilience in response to climate change. Initiatives such as Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA), promoted by the FAO, emphasize the need for adaptive, knowledge-based solutions that improve sustainability while optimizing yields. Similarly, the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) has highlighted the importance of soil health, biodiversity, and data-driven precision agriculture as critical components in mitigating climate risks and securing food production.

By providing highly precise agronomic recommendations based on biologicals and tailored to specific conditions, Futureco Bioscience ensures maximum efficiency and effectiveness in treatment application. Our goal is and has always been to equip farmers with the tools they need to adapt, thrive, and contribute to a more sustainable agricultural future.

How are regulatory landscapes in different regions (such as EU, US, Brazil) impacting the development and commercialization of bio-solutions?

The regulatory landscape for biological solutions is not just a compliance matter; it fundamentally shapes the pace of innovation, and the strategies companies must adopt to bring new products to market. At Futureco Bioscience, we see these regulatory differences across regions as both a challenge and an opportunity. While Europe enforces some of the most stringent approval processes, often requiring extensive scientific validation and long timelines, it is also leading the shift toward sustainable agriculture with policies like the Green Deal and the Farm to Fork Strategy. This means that while regulatory hurdles remain high, the demand for biological alternatives is growing, and companies that can navigate these complexities successfully will be well-positioned for long-term growth.

Biostimulants, which enhance plant health, stress resilience, and nutrient efficiency, still face significant regulatory fragmentation, particularly in the US and EU. The absence of a harmonized definition has slowed expansion, requiring companies to navigate complex approval processes. However, market demand is rising rapidly, fueled by climate change adaptation, regenerative agriculture, and consumer-driven sustainability initiatives. Regions that establish clear regulatory frameworks for biostimulants, such as Brazil, are experiencing faster adoption, offering a competitive advantage to companies that enter these markets early and position themselves as leaders in the space.

Biocontrol solutions, on the other hand, are subject to much stricter regulatory oversight, as they actively target pests and diseases. Their approval processes resemble those of chemical pesticides, making commercialization more complex and time-consuming, particularly in the EU, where regulatory pathways remain highly demanding. Despite these challenges, biocontrol is positioned for strong growth, as regulatory pressure against synthetic pesticides intensifies. Countries prioritizing sustainable pest management, including Brazil and certain US states like California, are becoming key markets for biocontrol products. Companies that invest in regulatory expertise and develop scientifically backed solutions will be at the forefront of this transition, as growers seek effective alternatives that comply with increasingly stringent chemical regulations.

Brazil, in particular, has recognized the strategic role of biologicals in reducing chemical dependence and has developed a streamlined regulatory framework that allows for faster approvals without compromising scientific rigor. Understanding the potential of this market, Futureco Bioscience has recently opened a subsidiary in Brazil, reinforcing our commitment to being at the forefront of the biologicals sector in one of the world’s most dynamic agricultural regions. Establishing a local presence enables us to work more closely with regulatory bodies, farmers, and industry partners to accelerate product adoption and deliver high-impact solutions tailored to Brazil’s specific agricultural needs.

While these regional differences present challenges, they also create opportunities. The shift toward sustainable agriculture is undeniable, and biologicals are at the center of this transformation. The key for companies like Futureco Bioscience is to align innovation with regulatory strategy, ensuring that products not only meet compliance requirements but also deliver tangible benefits to farmers. Success in this evolving market will depend on scientific excellence, regulatory agility, and the ability to anticipate and respond to changing policy landscapes. The future of biologicals will be shaped by companies that can navigate this complexity, establish credibility, and drive adoption through effective positioning and proven field performance.