The global impact of the University of Hyderabad (UoH) alumni network was proudly showcased on the international stage at Bharat Innovates 2026. This prestigious national initiative, designed to present India’s deep-tech breakthroughs to the world, hosted its international showcase in Nice, France, from June 14–16, 2026.

(L–R): Mr. Yannick Griveau, Vice President Commercial EMEA, Albaugh Europe SARL;
Shri K. M. Praphullachandra Sharma, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Education, Government of India; Dr. V.B. Reddy, Executive Director, ATGC Biotech; Shri Piyush Goyal, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry; Dr. Markandeya Gorantla, Chairman & Managing Director, ATGC Biotech; and Mr. David Luxembourg, Executive Chairman, Luxembourg Industries Ltd.

Among the select group of 120 high-potential deep-tech startups representing India’s rising leadership in innovation and entrepreneurship was ATGC Biotech Pvt. Ltd., a pioneering company co-founded by two distinguished UoH alumni, Dr. Markandeya Gorantla and Dr. V.B. Reddy.

The event took place alongside high-level India–France bilateral engagements organized during Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s visit to France. Bharat Innovates 2026 served as an elite gathering point for India’s most promising minds across biotechnology, healthcare, artificial intelligence, semiconductors, sustainability, space technology, and advanced manufacturing.

Both founders trace their scientific roots back to the Department of Plant Sciences at the University of Hyderabad:

  • Dr. Markandeya Gorantla completed his Ph.D. in Plant Sciences (2000–2004) and served as a Senior Research Fellow (2000–2002) in the department. He currently serves as the Chairman & Managing Director of ATGC Biotech.
  • Dr. V.B. Reddy earned his M.Sc. in Plant Sciences (2000–2002), followed by an Advanced Post-Graduate Diploma in Bioinformatics (2002–2003), and completed his Ph.D. in Plant Sciences (2003–2007) at the University. He now serves as the company’s Executive Director.

 

Originally founded in Genome Valley, Hyderabad, ATGC Biotech has grown into one of India’s leading agricultural biotechnology enterprises, specializing in pheromone-based crop protection and sustainable agriculture. At the event in Nice, the UoH alumni-led delegation announced two major international agreements that underscore the global demand for Indian intellectual property:

  1. Licensing with Albaugh Europe: ATGC exchanged a licensing agreement with Albaugh Europe (a division of the US-headquartered Albaugh Group) covering six proprietary crop protection products powered by ATGC’s patented CREMIT pheromone technology platform.
  2. Global Joint Venture: The company solidified its international footprint through SEMIOPHORE LTD., a joint venture with Luxembourg Industries Ltd., which will advance a portfolio of 18 products specifically tailored for global agricultural markets.

These landmark agreements were exchanged in the presence of Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood (Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India) and Dr. Manish Diwan (Head – RFID, BIRAC). Additionally, the ATGC delegation interacted with Shri Piyush Goyal (Hon’ble Minister of Commerce and Industry), highlighting how homegrown Indian innovations are building powerful global partnerships.

 

Reflecting on the milestone, Dr. Markandeya Gorantla emphasized a shifting paradigm for Indian science:

“For decades, India has been known for generics and cost-effective manufacturing. The next chapter is about creating first-in-class technologies and globally relevant intellectual property from Indian laboratories. Bharat Innovates 2026 demonstrates that Indian science can compete globally, and we are proud that our journey began at the University of Hyderabad.”

ATGC’s revolutionary approach is built around a unique core philosophy: “Taming the insect world to feed the human world.” Instead of using conventional, destructive insecticides to kill pests, the company utilizes species-specific pheromone signals to safely manipulate insect behaviour. This disrupts mating cycles and prevents subsequent pest generations—a breakthrough concept trademarked as “Insect Family Planning™ for Sustainable Agriculture.”

(L–R): Dr. Manish Diwan, Head of RFID BIRAC, Dr. V.B. Reddy, Executive Director, ATGC Biotech, Dr. Markandeya Gorantla, Chairman & Managing Director, ATGC Biotech, Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, Principle Scientific Advisor, Government of India who is facilitating the exchange of agreements, Mr. David Luxembourg, Executive Chairman, Luxembourg Industries Ltd.

To date, this highly sustainable technology has been successfully deployed across more than 200,000 acres and is being actively commercialized through cross-border partnerships spanning Europe, the Americas, Asia, and other major international markets.

ATGC exchanged a licensing agreement with Albaugh Europe (a division of the US-headquartered Albaugh Group)

The extraordinary achievements of Dr. Markandeya Gorantla and Dr. V.B. Reddy at Bharat Innovates 2026 showcase the profound capabilities of University of Hyderabad alumni. Their ability to translate academic lab research into scalable, commercial innovations directly addresses the world’s pressing challenges in food security, environmental stewardship, and sustainable technological collaboration.