St. Louis, MO – January 29, 2025 – Agragene, a leading innovator in sustainable pest control solutions, shifts toward commercialization and regulatory submissions for a product that addresses the number one pest concern for fresh berry and cherry production – spotted wing drosophila. The company is proud to announce that Matt Helms has joined the company in the newly created role of Chief Commercial Officer (CCO). Helms will oversee the company’s global commercial operations, drive growth strategies, and expand Agragene’s market presence in the agricultural biotechnology sector.
Agragene’s proprietary technologies include precision-guided sterile insect technology, which provides an innovative and environmentally friendly alternative to chemical pesticides. The background Helms brings fits the company’s aim to accelerate adoption of its solutions and expand its footprint in key markets around the world. He has extensive expertise in understanding customers and delivering new technologies to agriculture markets aligns seamlessly with Agragene’s mission to deliver its first sterile insect technology, KNOCKOUT™ SWD, to fresh berry growers (blueberry, cherry, raspberry, and strawberry).
"Matt’s proven track record of driving commercial success and building strong customer relationships makes him an outstanding addition to our leadership team," said Bryan Witherbee, CEO of Agragene. "As we continue to scale our operations and bring our groundbreaking technologies to market, Matt’s vision and leadership will be key to achieving our goals."
Helms brings more than 25 years of leadership experience in the agriculture and biotechnology industries with startups and industry leaders. Prior to joining Agragene, he served as managing director at BioGenerator Ventures, focusing on investing in and developing companies in the agtech and food sectors. He held key leadership roles at Monsanto, including marketing lead for the U.S. and Global Crop Protection businesses, where he led the launch of several crop protection products. He successfully introduced a new delivery method for startup NewLeaf Symbiotic’s microbial technology allowing it to significantly scale as it entered the marketplace.
Helms expressed his enthusiasm for joining Agragene, stating, "I am thrilled to be part of a company that is at the forefront of a new category of pest control. Agragene’s innovative solutions have the potential to transform pest control and help growers meet the demands of delivering healthier, environmentally safe products to their consumers. I look forward to working with the team to deliver value to our customers and stakeholders."
For more information about Agragene and its innovative pest control solutions, visit agragene.com.
About AgrageneÂ
Agragene is a pioneering biotechnology company dedicated to developing sustainable and effective pest control solutions. Leveraging cutting-edge science and a commitment to environmental stewardship, Agragene empowers growers with tools to enhance productivity while reducing reliance on chemical pesticides.