Breakthrough in wheat yield technology spurs formation of new agri-tech company – SugarOx

Turning scientific discoveries into commercial solutions often takes many years, especially in agriculture where extensive field trials are needed to prove real-world impact. Such a process has now led to the launch of SugaROx, a spinout company formed in 2021 from Rothamsted Research and the University of Oxford. 

SugaROx was founded by Dr. Matthew Paul, Dr. Cara Griffiths, and Professor Ben Davis, following a series of research investments, including key funding from the International Wheat Yield Partnership (IWYP). The company’s science builds directly on discoveries made during the IWYP-supported project “Transforming Yield through Source-Sink Synchronization” (2018–2021), led by Matthew Paul, Matthew Reynolds, and Ben Davis. 

From IWYP Project to Proof of Concept 

The project focused on the signaling molecule trehalose 6-phosphate (T6P), known to boost starch biosynthesis in plants. The research team hypothesised that increasing T6P levels in developing wheat grain at just the right time could significantly enhance yield. 

At the IWYP Hub at CIMMYT in Mexico, scientists tested this theory by spraying spring wheat varieties with a light-activated, permeable precursor of T6P ten days after anthesis. The treatment was converted to active T6P by sunlight and resulted in clear yield increases. Similar trials in Argentina, conducted with INTA, confirmed the effects. 

The work culminated in a publication in Nature Biotechnology (Griffiths, C.A. et al., 2025) involving 14 authors from Rothamsted, Oxford, CIMMYT, and INTA. These results provided robust scientific validation and the foundation for commercial development. 

Key Findings 

The multi-site field trials and molecular studies revealed several unprecedented findings: 

• Higher yields without extra fertilizer: T6P application increased yield while maintaining grain protein levels. Yield benefits were observed under both drought and well-watered conditions, offering a sustainable route to improvement.
• Enhanced carbohydrate metabolism: The treatment triggered higher expression of the full sucrose-to-starch pathway in the grain—something never achieved through technological means before.
• Improved nitrogen metabolism and protein synthesis: Genes linked to nitrate reduction, amino acid production and protein synthesis were upregulated, explaining why protein content remained stable despite higher yields.
• Balanced source–sink enhancement: T6P strengthened both grain development including sieve tube element vessels (sink) and photosynthesis in flag leaves (source), improving sugar delivery to the developing grain.

• Breaking the yield trade-off: Increases in both grain number and grain size were achieved simultaneously—overcoming a long-standing limitation in wheat yield potential.

   

   

From Research to Real-World Impact 

Supported by IWYP and other funders, the Rothamsted–Oxford team also developed a cost-effective and scalable process for producing the T6P precursor. This key step made it possible to move from proof of concept to practical application, paving the way for the formation of SugaROx. 

The company’s technology aims to deliver higher crop yields without additional fertilizer, contributing to both food security and sustainability. Because the chemical route to yield enhancement is largely independent of wheat variety, it can be scaled quickly across diverse farming systems, including those affected by drought. 

A Model for translational research 

For IWYP, SugaROx represents a clear example of how strategic investment can accelerate the transition from discovery science to real-world solutions. 

“It’s exciting to see fundamental plant science being turned into a practical technology that can make a real difference for farmers,” said Dr. Matthew Paul, Lead Plant Scientist at Rothamsted Research. “Through collaboration with IWYP, we were able to take an idea about a key signaling molecule in plants and turn it into a tangible product that improves yield sustainably.” 

While the formation of SugaROx marks an immediate success, the longer-term impact could be far greater—higher wheat yields and improved food resilience worldwide. 

Article in the International Wheat Yield Partnership can be found here.