At Scispot, we are constantly inspired by the innovation and ambition of biotech startups and scaleups bravely exploring diverse habitats—from caves to oceans and deserts—in search of new species and sources of biologically active compounds. This process, called Bioprospecting, enables these companies to uncover new microbes, proteins, metabolites, and genetic material from the most extreme environments.
Bioprospecting has revolutionized medicine, giving us many drugs currently on the market. Penicillin, discovered from soil fungi in 1928, and Taxol, derived from the Pacific yew tree in the 1960s, are iconic examples. In fact, a large percentage of FDA-approved therapeutics, including most antibiotic classes and many anti-cancer drugs, come from natural sources. However, we have only scratched the surface. More than 99.9% of the earth’s microbes, the ‘microbial dark matter,’ remain unexplored.
Beyond medicine, Bioprospecting is transforming agriculture, enabling sustainable pest control, enhancing crop resilience, and uncovering enzymes for industrial processes. The cosmetics and personal care industries are also leveraging Bioprospecting for sustainable ingredients that enhance skin health and reduce environmental impact. For example, marine algae-derived compounds are now widely used in moisturizers and anti-aging products due to their antioxidant properties.
Here are five biotech startups shaping the future of the pharmaceutical, agricultural, cosmetics, and personal care industries in 2025. We are excited to see the global impact they will have.
The soil contains a rich ecosystem of untapped microbes. Visionary Israeli startup Terrapeutics is harnessing the power of soil microbes to create the next generation of drugs. They have developed a drug discovery platform to identify natural molecules that interact with challenging drug targets often deemed ‘undruggable.’
Currently, Terrapeutics is focusing on discovering novel RAS inhibitors for cancer treatment and developing new therapies for infectious diseases. Their innovative use of metagenomics and machine learning enables the rapid identification of promising therapeutic candidates, bypassing traditional bottlenecks in drug discovery. Recent collaborations with academic research institutes have further accelerated their progress in bringing preclinical candidates closer to development.
Apoena Biotech, based in Brazil, is pioneering sustainable bioprospecting in one of the world’s most biodiverse ecosystems. The company responsibly harvests microorganisms from soil, seaweed, and other biomes to transform raw materials into products for healthcare, nutrition, agriculture, cosmetics, and personal care.
By adhering to Brazil’s strict biodiversity laws and collaborating with local communities, Apoena Biotech ensures ethical and sustainable practices. Their recent efforts include launching microbial-based biofertilizers that improve soil health while reducing chemical dependency. Apoena is also working on cosmetic ingredients sourced from marine biomes, showcasing the potential for eco-friendly innovations.
Hexagon Bio, a U.S.-based startup, is revolutionizing drug discovery through data-driven biotechnology. The company leverages genomic data from fungi to identify natural products with therapeutic potential. By using advanced bioinformatics and machine learning, Hexagon Bio matches natural compounds to human disease targets, significantly accelerating the development of precision therapeutics.
Their approach has enabled the discovery of novel treatments for conditions that have eluded traditional pharmaceutical methods. Hexagon recently announced the preclinical development of a compound targeting antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections, highlighting their impact in addressing urgent medical challenges.
Hera Biotech, headquartered in the U.S., is redefining women’s health through innovative diagnostics. The company focuses on non-surgical methods for diagnosing endometriosis, a condition that affects millions of women worldwide.
By harnessing advanced molecular biology techniques, Hera Biotech has developed a minimally invasive test that provides accurate and early diagnosis. Their recent clinical trials demonstrated over 90% accuracy, offering hope for a faster diagnosis and better patient outcomes. Hera Biotech’s work underscores the broader applications of bioprospecting in addressing unmet medical needs.
Enveda Biosciences is leveraging AI and metabolomics to unlock the medicinal potential of natural products. Based in the U.S., the company uses cutting-edge technology to map the chemical diversity of plants and microbes, identifying novel bioactive compounds for drug discovery.
Enveda’s platform integrates machine learning with high-throughput screening, enabling the identification of therapeutic candidates at an unprecedented scale. Recent advancements include their discovery of a novel anti-inflammatory compound, currently in preclinical trials. Their commitment to exploring nature’s chemical space positions them as a leader in the next generation of bioprospecting-driven innovation.
Scispot: Powering the Bioprospecting Revolution
As the biotech industry expands its reach into uncharted territories, Scispot is providing the tools and infrastructure to enable bioprospecting companies to thrive. Our digital operating system is designed to streamline R&D, simplify operations, and accelerate the path to discovery for compound startups and innovators alike.
Scispot’s customizable platform allows companies to manage vast datasets, automate workflows, and maintain compliance with ease. For example, by partnering with emerging startups, Scispot automated the documentation of enzyme production workflows, enabling teams to save over 30% of their operational time and focus on scaling up sustainable solutions. Whether it’s analyzing microbial genomes or scaling up production of bio-based solutions, Scispot empowers teams to focus on groundbreaking science rather than operational hurdles.
Conclusion
The limitless potential of Bioprospecting continues to push the boundaries of innovation in healthcare, agriculture, and sustainability. Emerging trends such as AI-driven bioprospecting, advanced metabolomics, and sustainable biomanufacturing are set to redefine the way we discover and utilize natural resources, opening new avenues for innovation and global impact.
From drug discovery platforms to groundbreaking enzyme engineering, the biotech startups featured here are shaping the future of multiple industries. As the industry grows, platforms like Scispot are ensuring that Bioprospecting companies can scale effectively, harnessing technology to turn scientific vision into impactful reality.
To join this revolution and accelerate your journey, request a demo of Scispot today—because the future of biotech starts here.
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