Hyderabad: UoH Alumni Secure Global Agri-Biotech Deals At Bharat Innovates 2026
ATGC’s journey reflects the next phase of Indian science, where laboratories are creating globally relevant technologies and intellectual property”: Dr Gorantla
HYDERABAD: Two University of Hyderabad (UoH) alumni, who founded a Hyderabad-based agricultural biotechnology company have secured major international partnerships at Bharat Innovates 2026, a national initiative showcasing India’s deep-tech innovations to global investors and industry leaders.
ATGC Biotech Pvt Ltd, co-founded by Dr Markandeya Gorantla and Dr V.B. Reddy was among 120 start-ups selected to represent India at the international showcase held in Nice, France, from June 14 to 16 alongside India-France engagements.
Both founders are alumni of the department of plant sciences at UoH. Dr Gorantla completed his PhD in plant sciences and now serves as chairman and managing director of ATGC Biotech, while Dr Reddy, an MSc, bioinformatics diploma and PhD, is the company’s executive director.
At the event, the company announced two international agreements. It exchanged a licensing agreement with Albaugh Europe, covering six crop-protection products, based on ATGC’s patented CREMIT pheromone technology. The company also strengthened its global presence through SEMIOPHORE Ltd, a joint venture with Luxembourg Industries Ltd, which will develop a portfolio of 18 products for international agricultural markets.
The agreements were exchanged in the presence of principal scientific adviser to the government of India Ajay Kumar Sood and biotechnology industry research assistance council official Manish Diwan. The delegation also interacted with Union commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal.
“ATGC’s journey reflects the next phase of Indian science, where laboratories are creating globally relevant technologies and intellectual property,” said Dr Gorantla.
Founded in Genome Valley, Hyderabad, ATGC specialises in pheromone-based crop protection that controls pests by disrupting mating cycles rather than using conventional insecticides. The company says the technology has already been deployed across more than 200,000 acres and is being commercialised through partnerships spanning Europe, Asia and the Americas.