Oxford University company secures £2.5m in funding

SugaROx, based in Hertfordshire, is developing crop biostimulants to boost crop yields.

The company plans to use the funding to bring its technology to market and expand globally.

Mark Robbins, chief executive officer of SugaROx, said: “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.”

The company’s lead product is based on trehalose-6-phosphate (T6P), a naturally occurring plant sugar.

The technology was developed from research at Oxford University and Rothamsted Research.

SugaROx plans to launch the product in the UK between 2027 and 2028, with EU and US launches expected between 2028 and 2030.

The UK and European markets will initially focus on wheat and barley, while North American efforts will target soybean and maize.

SugaROx is also exploring applications for horticultural crops.

The Mosaic Company previously invested £400,000 in SugaROx’s 2025 seed round, which helped scale production from lab to pilot facility and enabled testing in five markets.

Jeff Wheeler, Vice President – Biosciences at The Mosaic Company, said: “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.”

The latest funding will support expanded field trials and generate the data needed for regulatory approval and commercial launch in target markets.

A key challenge for biostimulant products has been delivering active molecules effectively into plant cells using standard practices like foliar spraying.

SugaROx has developed a patented delivery technology that allows these molecules to cross cell walls and membranes, supporting more consistent performance in the field.

Each molecule targeted by the company has a clearly defined cellular function.

The first molecule in its pipeline inhibits a famine-signalling enzyme, stimulating the movement of carbon and nutrients towards grain filling, improving yield and quality.

Biostimulants represent a rapidly growing segment in agricultural inputs, with a forecasted compound annual growth rate of around 12 per cent.

SugaROx continues to seek additional investment to complete its Series A funding round and bring its proprietary technology to market.

More information is available at sugarox.co.uk.