Disseminated on behalf of: MustGrow Biologics Corp.
Colin Bletsky, COO and Director of MustGrow Biologics Corp. (TSXV: MGRO | OTCQB: MGROF | FRA: 0C0), and Ralf Glaubitz, Head of Crop Protection Product Team Biologicals at Bayer AG, discuss the Saskatoon-based agricultural biotechnology company’s focus on mustard-derived biocontrol, soil amendment, and biofertility products that help farmers protect their crops and soil health, and the partnership bringing its TerraMG™ biocontrol technology to Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. As regulators restrict synthetic pesticides and fertilizers and consumers pay closer attention to how their food is produced, MustGrow is positioning itself to capitalize on rising global demand for effective, science-backed alternatives that work alongside conventional crop inputs.
TerraMG™ biocontrol: nature-derived crop protection validated by Bayer
Unlike conventional crop protection products, MustGrow’s technology is derived from mustard plants. Its flagship biocontrol product, TerraMG™, is a pre-plant soil treatment targeting soil-borne diseases and pests, while TerraSante™ is a biofertility product registered in several U.S. states and already generating sales. According to Bletsky, “It’s not a small-molecule chemistry; it comes from nature.” He adds that credibility in agriculture comes down to proof: “We have to have a product that works.”
That focus on field-proven performance is how a small innovator competes with much larger players: by partnering with them. Bayer spent nearly two years validating the technology through greenhouse, laboratory, and field testing, along with regulatory and intellectual property reviews. The company believes this pairing of natural chemistry with partner-led validation sets a new standard for how biological products earn trust with growers and partners alike.
Biologicals market opportunity driven by European regulation
With tightening regulation reshaping the European crop protection landscape, MustGrow is strategically positioned to capture emerging demand. Bletsky notes the biologicals market is expected to reach about $20 billion, growing at a mid-teens rate over the next five to eight years. That is still a small share of the global fertilizer and pesticide market, which MustGrow’s corporate materials project will reach $380 billion by 2032.
Glaubitz points to the drivers in Europe: fewer chemical crop protection products, further limits on synthetic fertilizer, and consumers who care more about how food is grown. High-value fruits and vegetables, where nematodes cause severe yield and quality losses, are a priority segment for Bayer. By focusing on soil applications in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa through Bayer, MustGrow aims to give investors early-stage exposure to a regulated, fast-growing market without carrying the full cost of development.
Bayer milestone payment confirms TerraMG™ field performance
Recent milestones include MustGrow’s receipt of its first development milestone payment from Bayer, announced August 21, 2026, under the License and Collaboration Agreement signed in December 2023. The milestone confirmed that TerraMG™ works with standard European application equipment. Glaubitz says the field results “confirmed that TerraMG delivers meaningful disease control under real field conditions.” These achievements mark significant progress toward commercializing TerraMG™ across the territory.
Looking ahead, Bayer leads regulatory and market development, with further milestone payments tied to future achievements. MustGrow estimates the upfront payment, milestone payments, and development work could be worth US$35 million to US$40 million over the next five to seven years. Once commercial sales begin, MustGrow would also earn royalties and manufacturing revenue.
Positioned for partnership-led biologicals growth
As MustGrow Biologics continues to bring mustard-based biologicals to farmers, it stands at the intersection of tightening crop-input regulation and growing demand for proven natural alternatives. With Bayer leading development in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, the company is positioned to deliver disciplined growth in sustainable agriculture.
Interview Highlights
The following questions and answers are excerpted from the full interview and have been edited for length and clarity. Watch the video above for the complete conversation.
Jim Gordon: How big is this global biological agricultural opportunity today, and why is it becoming a real commercial category now rather than just a niche?
Colin Bletsky: The biologicals market has been growing for two to three decades. It’s expected to reach about $20 billion and to keep growing at a mid-teens rate for the next five to eight years. That’s still small next to the roughly $380 billion global market for chemicals, fertilizers, and biologicals combined. As a farmer myself, and being with MustGrow, I see a big opportunity.
Jim Gordon: Let’s talk about the partnership in the regions. Why did this partnership begin in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa specifically, and not North America or another region?
Ralf Glaubitz: Biologicals have strong potential everywhere, but Europe stands out. Its regulations are getting stricter, fewer chemical crop protection products are available, and limits on synthetic fertilizer are coming. That pushes farmers toward new technologies. High-value fruits and vegetables are a priority for Bayer, and nematodes cause major crop losses there. TerraMG™ fits that need well.
Jim Gordon: Explain the milestone achievement announced on August 21. What work was completed to check the box, and what did your evaluations suggest about MustGrow’s technology?
Ralf Glaubitz: The milestone tested two things. First, Bayer confirmed that TerraMG™ can be handled and applied easily with European farming practices and standard equipment. Second, field trials confirmed that TerraMG™ delivers meaningful control of soil-borne diseases under real field conditions.
Jim Gordon: Bayer signed a License and Collaboration agreement with MustGrow back in December 2023. Now, prior to that, Bayer had a nearly two-year exclusive evaluation and testing period. What did the evaluation involve, and what was so enticing that it validated MustGrow’s technology and led to this partnership?
Ralf Glaubitz: Bayer takes a data-driven, science-based approach to every technology it looks at. For MustGrow, that meant greenhouse and lab testing, then field trials to confirm the product works. Bayer also assessed with outside experts how likely TerraMG™ is to get registered in the EU, and it reviewed MustGrow’s intellectual property and freedom to operate. Working closely with MustGrow’s team over nearly two years built the trust that led to the partnership.
Jim Gordon: How has Bayer’s expertise sped up MustGrow’s international commercial development? And what does Bayer specifically bring to the table?
Colin Bletsky: Every agricultural product is heavily scrutinized by farmers, regulators, and the public. Bayer brings the science, the field testing, and the regulatory work needed in the region. A small company’s data alone doesn’t convince anyone, so the technology has to be proven across many regions, soil types, and farms, and Bayer knows how to do that. Without Bayer, MustGrow likely wouldn’t be in the region yet, and getting there would take much longer.
About MustGrow Biologics Corp.
MustGrow Biologics is a Saskatchewan-based agriculture biotechnology company commercializing mustard seed-derived biological solutions — including TerraMG™ soil biocontrol and TerraSante™ biofertility — backed by approximately 110 issued and pending patents. The company pursues a capital-efficient licensing model, partnering with global crop science leaders such as Bayer, which holds exclusive rights across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa under an agreement valued at approximately USD $35–40 million before royalties and manufacturing sales.
Learn more at mustgrow.ca.
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