Phylos

About Phylos

Phylos operates as an agricultural genomics company with a sharp focus on the cannabis sector, founded in February 2014 by Mowgli Holmes and Nishan Karassik in Portland, Oregon. Holmes, an evolutionary biologist, identified a significant lack of scientific research in the cannabis industry as it was beginning to expand. This observation prompted the creation of Phylos to apply modern science to cannabis cultivation. Karassik brought entrepreneurial experience to the venture. The company initially gained prominence by developing the Phylos Galaxy, a 3D interactive map visualizing the genetic relationships between thousands of cannabis varieties, created in partnership with the American Museum of Natural History.

The firm's business model is centered on empowering cannabis growers by providing genetically superior products and data. It generates revenue through the sale of its proprietary cannabis seeds to both commercial-scale cultivators and home growers, offering volume pricing for larger clients. Phylos has also established the "Natural Natural" brand to market products containing rare cannabinoids like THCV, which it derives from its specialized plant varieties. A key part of its strategy involves forming innovation partnerships with operators, such as Organigram in Canada, providing them with genetic material and expertise to improve cultivation efficiency and develop new products.

Phylos' core offering is its Production-Ready Seed™, which includes fully feminized, F1 hybrid seed lines. These seeds are designed to produce plants with high uniformity, vigor, and desirable traits like specific cannabinoid and terpene profiles, rivaling the consistency of traditional cloning methods. The benefits for growers include reduced operational costs, elimination of mother rooms, shorter cultivation cycles, and decreased risk of pests and diseases like Hop Latent Viroid (HLVd). The company offers several seed categories, including Elite, Premium, and Autoflower varieties, catering to different grower needs and expertise levels. The development process utilizes marker-assisted selection, allowing Phylos to identify desirable traits at the seedling stage and accelerate breeding cycles.