AMVAC and DPH Biologicals Cultivate the Future of Crop Care
3 March 2025 
Crop protection companies are strategically collaborating with biological companies to add biosolutions to their portfolios. AMVAC’s recent partnership with DPH Biologicals reflects this trend, expanding AMVAC’s GreenSolutions portfolio with biostimulants and biocontrol products. In a recent interview with AgriBusiness Global, Jim Thompson, Director of Business Development for GreenSolutions at AMVAC, discusses the driving factors behind the partnership, the gaps it aims to fill, and how it aligns with AMVAC’s broader strategy.
ABG: How did this partnership between AMVAC and DPH Biologicals come about? What factors led to this collaboration?
Jim Thompson
Jim Thompson: AMVAC has been aware of DPH for several years, and there are several touch points between the management of both teams. As AMVAC has sought to aggressively expand our biological portfolio, we began discussions with DPH about a year ago and are proud to have started a solid commercial relationship with them. DPH meets important criteria that AMVAC looks for in its key partnerships: solid products with data efficacy, a solid management team, and an IP-based pipeline to drive future product innovation. AMVAC will help DPH by offering their products throughout our commercial network, which significantly expands DPH’s market access.
ABG: What specific gap did AMVAC aim to address with this partnership, and why was partnering with DPH Bio a better approach than developing these capabilities internally?
JT: AMVAC has a strong product offering in the biostimulant market. DPH’s biostimulant products, TerraTrove SP-1 Classic and AmplAphex, will augment that offering. However, BellaTrove Companion Maxx biofungicide product fills an important gap for AMVAC, and we will continue to work with DPH on other biocontrol products in the future. Most companies cannot internally develop a comprehensive biological portfolio. Our aim is to find the best way to find synergies between our own products and those of our key partners.
ABG: How does this agreement align with AMVAC’s broader GreenSolutions strategy, and what opportunities does it create for expansion in the biologicals market?
JT: The recently signed agreement helps broaden AMVAC’s offerings in the specialty crop markets in the Western and Southern regions of the U.S., and this is our near-term focus. However, we will look to expand this partnership together geographically in North America and internationally over time. In addition, we believe that DPH’s technology platforms will allow AMVAC to exploit other product opportunities in row crops, non-crop markets, and other specialty markets.
ABG: For other companies considering partnerships with biological firms, what advice would you offer on fostering a successful collaboration?
JT: There are two key factors that tend to make or break a potential partnership. In order for a larger company like AMVAC to partner with biological firms, they must have solid products with replicated trial data across different crops. We see many early-stage companies that have a promising technology with some good initial trial data, but they are not usually far enough along for us to commit serious investment dollars toward those firms. Additionally, companies must have long-term financial stability and sufficient manufacturing capacity to support growth. These relationships can take a year or two to launch properly, then another three to five years to attain optimal growth, so it’s critical we know the partner will be around to support that timeframe.
ABG: From your perspective, is this type of partnership the future of crop care? Why or why not?
JT: At AMVAC, we believe these partnerships are a critical piece of the strategic puzzle. Partnerships such as these are a quicker way to expand our portfolio. That being said, partnerships are not the only path for strategic growth. We have our own internal development pipeline which will also fuel growth and take advantage of the IP that AMVAC has acquired over the years. M&A also continues to be another path to growth, and we are very active in looking at strategic M&A opportunities as they arise.
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