Harpe Bio

About Harpe Bio

Harpe Bioherbicide Solutions, Inc. operates as an agricultural technology firm, directing its focus on the development of natural weed management solutions. Founded in 2020 and headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina, the company is addressing the escalating issue of herbicide resistance and the growing market demand for sustainable farming practices. The leadership team includes CEO Bill Buckner, an executive with an extensive background in agricultural technology, including 18 years at Bayer Group where he rose to President and CEO of Bayer CropScience LP. He is joined by co-founder and CTO Dr. Chad Brommer, a scientist with a background in herbicide research and development at BASF.

The company's core business revolves around a platform of proprietary biological herbicide formulations derived from a series of plant extracts, including those from the mentha (mint) family. These formulations are designed to control a wide spectrum of broadleaf and grass weeds, including those that have developed resistance to common synthetic herbicides like glyphosate, dicamba, and atrazine. Harpe Bio's products feature new sites and modes of action, which can help mitigate the further development of weed resistance. The business model targets two primary market segments: organic agriculture and conventional farming. For the organic market, the company offers stand-alone, all-natural herbicide solutions for pre- and post-emergent use. For conventional agriculture, its products are designed to be used as tank-mix partners, synergizing with existing synthetic herbicides to enhance their effectiveness and reduce the total amount of chemicals needed.

Harpe Bio is advancing its product development through extensive greenhouse and field trials and is moving toward commercial-ready formulations, with plans for regulatory submissions and select market introductions potentially as early as 2026. The company has successfully raised capital to fund its research and development, including a significant investment round led by ADM, a global leader in mint production. This strategic partnership provides Harpe with key inputs for its products. Beyond its herbicide formulations, the company is also developing herbicide-tolerant crop systems, which would allow for the in-season application of its natural herbicides.