SugaROx, a UK-based crop biostimulant startup, has raised £2.5 million as part of its Series A funding round from The Mosaic Company. The investment supports progress towards commercialisation of its first product, a biostimulant based on a proprietary form of the natural plant sugar trehalose-6-phosphate.
Developing effective biostimulants has been limited by the difficulty of delivering biologically active plant molecules into plant cells using standard agronomic practices such as foliar sprays. SugaROx addresses this challenge through a patented delivery technology that enables these molecules to be absorbed by plants and cross cell walls and membranes, supporting more reliable field performance. The first molecule in its pipeline inhibits a famine-signalling enzyme, stimulating the movement of carbon and nutrients towards grain filling to improve yield and quality.
Following earlier support from The Mosaic Company, including a £400,000 investment in SugaROx’s seed round in 2025, the latest funding will expand research and development and significantly increase field trials across global markets. This includes generating the data required for regulatory approval and commercial launch in the UK, EU and US, with initial focus on wheat and barley in Europe and soybean and maize in North America.
Biostimulants are among the fastest-growing segments in crop inputs, with an estimated compound annual growth rate of around 12%. SugaROx is targeting a UK product launch in 2027-2028, followed by expansion into the EU and US in 2028-2030.
We’re delighted to deepen our collaboration with The Mosaic Company as we move closer to commercialisation. Their continued support is a strong validation of both our science and our ability to deliver a differentiated product in a fast-growing market.
SugaROx is advancing a new category of precision biostimulants that aligns closely with our approach at Mosaic Biosciences, where we are building a science-backed portfolio of solutions that support the biology of plants and soil. We are pleased to support the team as they expand field validation and progress towards commercialisation.
