June 27, 2023

By Lynda Kiernan-Stone, Global AgInvesting Media

On November 15, 2022, the global population surpassed 8 billion on its way to breaching 10 billion by 2050. Connected with the expectation is the need to produce more food than has been produced in the past 10,000 years combined (staggering!).

To accomplish this, it would require a 70 percent increase to today’s global food output. But we are approaching our limit of arable land, and between now and 2030, forecasts are that we will see a meager 4 percent increase in acreage. Therefore, this increase in production must come from improved yields rather than greater acres.

However, even if we do everything right, our best efforts would be for naught if not for bees and pollination.

Bees are critical to our universal food system and our survival, safeguarding human well-being and the success of our agricultural production systems. They are a key component to food security, with one out of every three bites of food we eat being dependent on the work they do as pollinators. They ensure biodiversity, healthy ecosystems, and human nutrition, with 75 percent of the world’s fruit and seed crops dependent, at some level, on natural pollination for continued production.

However, the decline of bee populations has been closely tracked in recent years. There are several factors contributing to this decline: habitat loss and fragmentation as human populations expand and agricultural practices intensify, natural habitats such as meadows, forests, and wildflower fields are being lost. Pesticides, particularly neonicotinoids, also have been identified as a significant threat to bees and other pollinators, even in low concentrations; and parasites and diseases, including fungal diseases, are another major threat – particularly Varroa mites, a pervasive parasite that weakens honeybees and transmits viruses, making colonies more vulnerable to other stressors. 

On the front lines and pushing back the tide has been Dalan Animal Health (Dalan), a pioneering biotech company focused on insect health that recently secured approval from the USDA for its first-of-its-kind honeybee vaccine designed to protect honeybees against American Foulbrood disease. 

“Most of the terrestrial biomass is plants, and most of those are flowering plants,” said Tom Chi, founder,  At One Ventures. “The first vaccine to protect this commercially critical pollinator is a significant stride for protecting both biodiversity and our food supply.”

In support of this work set to improve the health and productivity of honeybee colonies, Dalan has secured $4.5 million in Series Seed 3 funding led by Prime Movers Lab, and including At One Ventures, bringing total funding for the company to-date to $10 million. 

“Dalan’s innovative approach to insect health represents a significant market opportunity,” said Dakin Sloss, founder and general partner, Prime Movers Lab. “Their pioneering work in developing the world’s first honeybee vaccine has the potential to transform the agricultural sector and secure the global food supply.”

Dalan explained that this additional funding will enable the company to expedite its pipeline and expand its operations beyond the U.S. into Europe. Home to 20 million honeybee hives (compared to the U.S. with 2.67 million), Dalan stated that it is committed to bringing its bee-saving technology to where it will have the most impact as quickly as possible. 

Annette Kleiser, CEO, Dalan Animal Health, commented, “We are excited to accelerate our product pipeline and expand our reach globally. Our work is vital for sustainable agriculture, and this funding will help us bring our solutions to where they are needed most.”

~ Lynda Kiernan-Stone is editor in chief with GAI Media, and is managing editor and daily contributor for Global AgInvesting’s AgInvesting Weekly News and  Agtech Intel News, as well as HighQuest Group’s Unconventional Ag. She can be reached at lkiernan-stone@globalaginvesting.com.

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