BiomEdit, an animal health biotechnology company based in Indianapolis, announced on Aug. 25, 2026 that it has acquired Folium Science's technology platform and pipeline assets. The acquisition includes BiomElix One, a poultry feed additive already approved in Brazil, and adds a complementary CRISPR-based precision microbiome technology to BiomEdit's existing capabilities. The deal broadens the company's pipeline across animal health and nutrition while strengthening its position in the emerging field of microbiome-based animal products.
Acquisition Scope and Technology
The transaction brings Folium's Guided Biotics CRISPR-Cas technology into BiomEdit's portfolio, adding a distinct capability to the company's research engine. This approach selectively targets specific bacterial populations within the microbiome while preserving the broader microbial community, an important advantage for maintaining animal health. It complements BiomEdit's Programmable Veterinary Biologics platform, which uses genetically engineered bacterial biologics to perform targeted biological functions in animals.
Complementary Scientific Approaches
Together, the two technologies give BiomEdit a broader set of tools for addressing important animal health and production challenges across multiple species and production systems. One approach engineers beneficial bacteria to perform specific biological tasks, while the other selectively reshapes microbial communities to reduce harmful organisms. The combined platform is expected to support the design of more precise, differentiated solutions for livestock and companion animals while reducing reliance on broad-spectrum interventions.
Poultry Portfolio and Regulatory Status
With the acquisition, BiomEdit now has two advanced poultry product programs based on distinct precision microbiome technologies. The company's lead candidate, BE-101, is being developed to prevent mortality associated with necrotic enteritis in broiler chickens and is in the final stages of the conditional licensure process with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Center for Veterinary Biologics. Folium's BiomElix One has received approval from Brazil's Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock for use as an animal feed additive.
Leadership Perspectives
Aaron Schacht, chief executive officer of BiomEdit, said Folium assembled an exceptional scientific team and built a differentiated platform that complements BiomEdit's existing technology. He noted that combining the two scientific approaches allows the company to engineer beneficial microbes while also selectively targeting specific bacterial populations, creating a broader toolkit for animal health. Fuchs, co-founder of Folium Science, said he is proud of what the team built and confident that the science has found the right home for its full potential.
Strategic Implications
The acquisition expands BiomEdit's ability to design precise, differentiated solutions that improve animal health and productivity across multiple species and geographies. By housing both technology platforms under one roof, the company can pursue a wider range of development programs and commercial opportunities in animal health and nutrition. The addition of an approved product and a complementary technology strengthens the company's pipeline without shifting its focus away from core microbiome science.
Commercial Considerations
The acquisition adds an approved product in Brazil, giving BiomEdit a commercial entry point in the Brazilian poultry feed additive market. It also provides a platform that can be applied to future animal health programs across different species and production settings. Financial terms were not disclosed, and no further transaction details were announced.
This acquisition positions BiomEdit to advance a more comprehensive precision microbiome portfolio for animal health, with both approved commercial assets and clinical-stage candidates. The addition of an approved product in Brazil and a complementary CRISPR-based platform supports the company's strategy to deliver innovative solutions across poultry and other species. As the animal health sector increasingly focuses on microbiome science, BiomEdit is expanding its capabilities to meet evolving industry needs and improve production outcomes.