EnCoate™ was formed in 2003 as a 50:50 joint venture between New Zealand's largest government owned research company AgResearch Limited and New Zealand's largest agricultural chemical company Ballance Agri-Nutrients Ltd. The initial focus of the company was stabilising existing and novel bacteria in the agricultural sector, especially in bio-control area. This led to the commericalisation of the Bioshield product.
In July 2007 the NZ venture capital company BioPacificVentures Ltd invested in the company to take a majority shareholding. EnCoate™ is now using its technology for probiotic stabilisation in the food industry thanks to the investment of this new majority shareholder.
BioPacificVentures is one of the world's largest food, nutrition and agriculturally focused venture capitalists, specialising in the convergence of food and health with a focus on prevention, nutrition, food technology and agbiotech. BioPacificVentures pursues attractive life science investment opportunities with an Australasian focus and takes lead or co-investment positions in rounds ranging from US$2 to US$10 million.
BioPacificVentures is supported by strategic and financial investors with global reach and industry specific expertise. The largest investor is the world's biggest food company, Nestlé; the largest local investor is the leading agribusiness firm PGG Wrightson.
While investments are made across the whole life science spectrum, BioPacificVentures has a particular focus on opportunities in the emerging "wellness through prevention" market, reflecting the increasing trend in healthcare towards the prevention of chronic diseases. Opportunities of particular interest include functional and medical foods, nutraceuticals, cosmeceuticals, skin care, dietary supplements, infant and sports nutrition, immune stimulation and anti-aging therapies.
BioPacificVentures has a strong internationally experienced management team, the result of a collaboration between leading New Zealand venture capital firm Direct Capital, international life sciences venture capital manager, inventages and one of the world's leading life science research institutions, AgResearch.
