Ananda Scherner is the CEO of Agrobiomics, a biotech company advancing sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture. With a background in science and regulatory affairs, she combines technical expertise with strategic leadership to drive innovation from research to commercialization. She began her career at FMC Corporation, managing regulatory affairs across the Nordic and Baltic countries, where she discovered her passion for biological products. After gaining experience in both corporate and startup environments, she now leads Agrobiomics in its mission to unlock the natural potential of plants, fostering resilience in farming while reducing agriculture’s environmental footprint.

Q1: As CEO of Agrobiomics holding a Ph.D. in plant sciences with a strong background in agronomy and regulatory affairs, could you share the pivotal milestones that have shaped your professional journey and ultimately led to your current leadership role?

My career in regulatory affairs began at FMC Corporation as a regulatory manager for the Nordic and Baltic countries within the EU. This role provided the opportunity to collaborate with inspiring professionals from diverse backgrounds, seniorities and areas of expertise. The environment encouraged pushing boundaries for team success and strongly influenced subsequent career decisions. During my time at FMC, exposure to biological products sparked a deep interest in the innovation and uniqueness behind these solutions. Thriving in agile, proactive, creative and collaborative teams led to a transition into the startup ecosystem, an experience that proved invaluable in shaping professional growth. This journey paved the way to leadership roles within a global BioAg company and ultimately to the position of CEO at Agrobiomics.

Q2: Agrobiomics specializes in microbiome-based solutions to enhance crop resilience under climate stress. How has your scientific expertise and regulatory experience guided the development and validation of these biological innovations?

My strong scientific background provides the foundation to effectively communicate with teams, understand challenges and critically evaluate next steps in R&D. Regulatory expertise offers a clear perspective on product pathways to market, readiness levels of each solution and the milestones to be achieved for commercialization. The combination of scientific and regulatory knowledge also enables effective external communication about Agrobiomics technology, ensuring that our partners clearly understand the potential of our products.

Q3: Your role involves overseeing Agrobiomics through regulatory, production and commercialization stages. What have been the most significant challenges you have encountered in scaling these efforts globally, and how have you addressed them strategically?

As the CEO of a fast-growing startup, it is challenging to define the boundaries of responsibilities. While this all represents a significant part of the work, the position encompasses many layers, with new and unfamiliar challenges arising daily. Addressing these challenges strategically requires adopting a positive approach to problem-solving, supported by seeking knowledge and input from the team, the board and the wider network. A normal working day includes discussions around product manufacturing with R&D, thinking on its use by farmers and planning the regulatory and business strategy for market entry. All this is done while ensuring the Agrobiomics team has the resources to execute our plans.

Q4: Sustainability and climate resilience stand at the core of Agrobiomics’ mission. In what ways do you see your company’s biostimulant technologies transforming agricultural practices to become both more sustainable and climate-adaptable?

At Agrobiomics, we believe that the path to sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture lies in unlocking the natural potential of plants. Our technologies are designed to enhance crop productivity by increasing resistance to abiotic stresses such as drought, climate and salinity. They help lower greenhouse gas emissions and minimize environmental degradation. In addition, the technology supports farmers in maintaining stable yields under changing climate conditions, fostering resilience in agricultural systems. Through continuous R&D and collaboration with growers, the company works to scale regenerative practices globally, positioning agriculture as not only more productive but also a key player in combating climate change.

Q5: Recognition through initiatives such as F&A Next’s “Next Heroes” program and the GUDP grant underscores Agrobiomics’ potential. What do these accolades represent for your company’s trajectory, and how do they reinforce your long-term strategic vision?

These recognitions are among the biggest validations that a startup can receive. It is incredibly encouraging to be recognized at prestigious events such as F&A Next and grants in Denmark and the EU, when we put ourselves out there. It gives me and the team the motivation to continue at full speed.

Q6: For women who are aspiring to build meaningful and lasting careers at the intersection of biological innovation and regulatory frameworks in agriculture, what kind of advice or guidance would you share to help them not only succeed professionally but also truly thrive personally in this evolving, complex and impactful sector?

Biological innovation is full of surprises; new technologies come to the market every day, and some have never been used before in agriculture. While this is promising, it can also be scary and unclear from a regulatory perspective. Thus, my advice is to keep curiosity high, think outside the box and always challenge the state of the art. If there is one thing that I learned after my years in the industry it is: “If you do not question the ‘NO’, things will continue to be the same. Never assume that things cannot be done or changed. Raise your voice and discuss different ways of doing things.” Make sure to raise your voice and discuss other ways of doing things.

Q7: Looking ahead to the future, both on a personal level and in your professional journey, what ambitions and endeavors do you envision for yourself—not only in your role as a leader, but also for Agrobiomics as it continues to position itself as an innovator and key shaper of the BioAg industry?

As a leader, my ambition is to foster a culture of innovation, transparency, and impact—one where science and sustainability go hand in hand to solve some of the most urgent challenges in agriculture. I am committed to empowering the next generation who will drive the BioAg revolution forward. At Agrobiomics, we envision a future where regenerative agriculture becomes mainstream, where farmers no longer have to choose between productivity and sustainability. By expanding our R&D pipeline, forging strategic partnerships, and investing in scalable, data-driven solutions, Agrobiomics aims to transform agriculture from the ground up—literally—improving food security and climate resilience across the globe.