Our commitment to improved outcomes for society extends to our company’s outlook on employment and professional development. As the beating heart of our company, our employees advance our holistic approach to achieving better outcomes through their work.
The human microbiome, composed of over 100 trillion microorganisms, plays vital roles in digestion, disease prevention, and nutrient production. It is increasingly studied for its connection to medical disorders, driving research into microbiome therapies.
Biomica focuses on the development of human-microbiome-based therapies utilizing either rationally-designed microbial consortia or small molecule approaches for immuno-oncology, gastrointestinal inflammatory or GI-related disorders, and antimicrobial resistance (AMR), antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Biomica uses the PRISM platform, coupled with MicroBoost AI tech engine, for discovery and development. PRISM creates microbiome profiles from internal databases, enhancing Biomica’s drug discovery approach.
The cancer immunotherapy market size was estimated at $85.6 billion in 2020 and is expected to reach a market size of $309.8 billion by 2030.
The total market for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) drugs is expected to reach $22.4 billion by 2026, with 45 million patients in the United States alone as of 2018. Existing drugs for IBS mainly treat the symptoms of the condition, leaving patients exposed to cycles of remission and relapse that characterize this chronic condition.
The CDC has identified CDI as one of the top three most urgent antibiotic-resistant bacterial threats in the U.S., often caused by the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics that induce dysbiosis of the microbiome. CDI is the most common cause of hospital-acquired infection in the U.S. and is responsible for the deaths of approximately 13,000 Americans each year.
One of the most common Staphylococcus aureus infections is caused by MRSA, which is a multi-drug resistant bacterium, responsible for several difficult-to-treat infections in humans, leading to tens of thousands of annual cases of mortality in the U.S. MRSA is the leading causative agent for hospital-acquired infections and has recently been documented as community-acquired as well as livestock-acquired.
Biomica’s therapies harness the power of the human microbiome to positively impact human health outcomes, develop accessible solutions to save lives, and improve overall health outcomes.
As a growing company at the forefront of biotech innovation, our employees play an integral role in realizing our core values. We offer our employees the opportunity to work in an intellectually challenging, welcoming, inclusive, and enriching environment that places emphasis on personal and professional development.
We are the proud home to a large number of highly skilled employees with experience and advanced degrees in the fields of medicine, science, and computational technology. As of December 31, 2023, 92 of our employees, representing approximately 65% of our entire workforce, were engaged in research and development on a full-time basis. Our employees hold degrees in biology, chemistry, plant genetics, agronomics, mathematics, computer and data science and other related fields, and nearly 30% of our employees hold a Ph.D.
We provide employees with access to professional development opportunities, offered by the Human Resources Department, such as instruction in formulating a resume (CV), time management, pension financial management and other topics. Each manager and department head offers specific and relevant professional training opportunities to its employees.
We offer our employees attractive benefits packages and privileges.
All of our employees are provided with the right to options or Restricted Stock Units. Additional benefits regarding employee savings plans, meals, transportation, health insurance coverage, health benefits, bonuses and flexible working hours specific needs and familial status are provided. We work to encourage a healthy work-life balance for our employees by regularly examining the amount of overtime hours and by encouraging them to fulfill their allotted vacation days.
We are proud of the fact that half of our companies have a majority of female employees (Evogene, AgPlenus, and Biomica), demonstrating our support for growing the role of women in science and technology.
In addition, women account for over 23% of our highest paid employees, with four female VPs at Evogene, four female VPs at our subsidiary companies (AgPlenus and Biomica), and one female Board of Directors members, who is also the Chairperson.
Respect is a core value outlined in our Code of Ethics and Proper Business Conduct. We adhere to labor laws, prohibit harassment and discrimination, and expect employees to act with integrity. We support their right to express themselves politically and engage in charitable activities.
We maintain a positive and transparent work environment through regular employee reviews and feedback. Through our Environment, Health, and Safety Policy, we work to maintain a healthy, hygienic, and safe work environment and employees are encouraged to immediately report unsafe or hazardous conditions or materials, injuries, and accidents. Employees receive annual safety training, with a special focus on laboratory workers.
Evogene encourages employee volunteering in the local community, looking to build meaningful and impactful relationships.
During the Jewish Holidays in Israel, employees arrange and distribute food packages to aid local communities in need. The activities are conducted together with local charities such as Latet, Mehalev LaTzalahat, Amcha, Pithon Lev, and more.
Evogene supports Alin Bein Noam, an NGO that works with people with disabilities, by donating to the organization’s annual Purim celebration.
We regularly donate funds relevant philanthropic causes that serve the needs of the local community.
During the war “Swords of Iron” between Israel and Hamas, the company’s employees volunteered to assist farmers in southern Israel with fruit picking and packaging. Additionally, the company purchased supplies from various businesses in the region. The company also donated funds to the Association of the “Friends of the Disabled Organization of Israel Defense Forces” and supported its employees who were on military reserve duty, as well as their families.
The unique character of Evogene’s biotechnological solution makes it an ideal candidate for work and cooperation with doctors, scientists, biologists, academics and more, all of whom help fulfill our quest to bring the utmost value to the betterment of human health and the environment.
The academics and scientists that Evogene partners with head laboratories and are professors at Israel’s lucrative Weizmann Institute of Science in a variety of relevant fields, including plant science, molecular genetics, physics of complex systems, computer science and applied mathematics.
More information on the experience and curriculum vitae of Evogene’s scientific advisors is available at the following link
Most of Evogene’s subsidiaries have their own scientific advisory board, which contribute to the scientific and academic tenacity and relevance of the solutions being developed. Further information on Biomica’s scientific boards is available at the link provided.
Our Ag Seeds division is proud to participate in the EU’s Horizon Program, which is part of the highly competitive and prestigious EIC 2022 program, with the goal of establishing businesses aimed at addressing climate challenges.
Our subsidiary Biomica is engaged in collaboration with the Weizmann Institute of Science to develop a selective treatment against antibiotic resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus infection, in a microbiome focused approach.
