Innovation
Rothamsted has a long history of creating innovations in agriculture including many improved commercialised products and practises that have influenced farming and the agricultural industry. Pyrethroid insecticides, still widely used today, and push-pull are but two examples. We are strengthening this through new mechanisms to accelerate future innovations in farming and agri-food.

We innovate

Rothamsted Research operates a dynamic, open-innovation model that turns scientific insight into agricultural impact.

From idea to impact 

Rothamsted’s research is driven by the big challenges of our time: feeding a growing population sustainably, protecting crops from pests and disease, improving soil health, and mitigating climate change. Research ideas are nurtured early, and innovation is integrated throughout the research process. Promising concepts are tested in collaboration with stakeholders, moving from lab or theoretical work through to field trials and commercial application.

Early engagement & co-creation

Rothamsted involves stakeholders from the outset—farmers, industry, agritech businesses, government bodies, and other research organisations—ensuring that innovations are relevant, tested under real conditions, and more likely to be adopted. The use of ‘ideas labs’ and hackathons helps bring together diverse expertise and accelerate problem solving. We also lead an entrepreneurship programme in consortium with Cranfield, UCL and University of Hertfordshire to help founders and start-ups who are combating climate change with science or tech-based ideas in the areas of agriculture and food production - SHAKE Climate Change.

Strong IP and robust pipelines

Intellectual property is carefully managed but with a focus on delivery and uptake. We have a strong intellectual property portfolio, reflecting its success in turning research outputs into products and practices. There is a clear pipeline for delivery: innovation project funding, entrepreneurial mentorship, and translational research in partnership with industry.

Institutional culture of innovation

Rothamsted encourages innovation not just through projects but through its culture—researchers are challenged to spot innovation early, incubate ideas, work with entrepreneurial mentors, and engage in translational work. Infrastructure (labs, analytics, computing, field platforms) is oriented to support this. 

 

INNOVATIONS FOR COMMERCIALISATION

Rothamsted has a number of innovations suitable for partners to take forward into the marketplace. Some of our exciting technologies are below. We’d love to talk to you about your interests.

OMEGA 3

Using cutting-edge genetics, Rothamsted scientists led by Professor Johnathan Napier have developed a variety of the oil seed plant Camelina sativa that produces the long-chain Omega 3 oils EPA and DHA. These have proven health benefits for humans, but can normally only be found in the oceans. Our technology allows these oils to be produced on land for the first time in partnership with the US based company Yield 10 Boscience.

IMPROVING CROP PERFORMANCE

Working with Oxford University, Rothamsted scientists led by Dr Matthew Paul have identified a new way of significantly increasing yield and resilience in crops and created the biostimulants company SugarOx. This technology has the potential to contribute to our efforts to help feed the world’s increasing population. Our T6P biostimulant technology is licensed to SugaROx on a world-wide exclusive basis.

NOVEL PEST CONTROL

Rothamsted scientists led by Dr Mike Birkett are at the forefront of research into novel attractants and repellents for insects. This has led to a number of novel pest control technologies currently being developed by the spin-out company Pherosyn 

JOIN OUR CAMPUS

Rothamsted Campus offers conferencing and agri-business incubation. It is a world-leading Agri-Tech campus that combines 180 years of agricultural science excellence with state-of-the-art labs, 800 acres of trial land, and direct access to globally recognised researchers. From start-up incubation to scale-up growth, businesses benefit from flexible facilities, specialist equipment, mentoring, funding support, and an active innovation ecosystem – all within an Enterprise Zone offering tax incentives and exceptional transport links. It’s the ideal place to launch, collaborate, and scale climate-smart and science-driven Agri-Tech solutions.

Find out more here.

Contact us to discuss how we can work together

Satwant Smith-Rana

Satwant Smith-Rana

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY PORTFOLIO AND MARKET RESEARCH MANAGER

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