The CHIME project, led by Novochizol and Prof. Wolfram Brück’s laboratory at the HES-SO Valais-Wallis, has been selected for support through the Innobooster Future Food Farming, an Innosuisse-powered Innovation Booster.

The support, which includes CHF 39,000 in project funding, will enable an initial biomarker-focused validation phase of Chitomixes, Novochizol’s chitosan-based approach for agricultural applications.

Chitomixes:  when cocktails work better

Chitosan, derived from chitin, a polysaccharide found in all crustaceans, insects and mushrooms, holds the promise of becoming an incredibly powerful biocontrol agent, a major actor in the transition towards healthy agriculture.

But this promise has yet to be fulfilled: in practice, sometimes chitosan works well, sometimes it fails. The main cause for this inconsistency is that chitosan is not a single substance but a rapidly degrading mixture of polymers of various sizes with distinct biological activities.

Novochizol is a Swiss biotech startup with a unique technology that transforms linear chitosan molecules into cross-linked derivatives. It works as a bioactive, bioadherent “nanosponge” that can deliver and release active substances only where they are needed, over prolonged periods. It also creates much more robust chitosan derivatives.

Chitomixes address the heterogeneity of chitosan not as a weakness but as a strength by generating Novochizol-stabilized mixtures that combine different forms of chitosans for a predictable, consolidated biological effect.

When tested on a variety of crops, the beneficial effects of chitomixes proved much stronger than that of their individual components. Understanding the mechanisms of the observed synergies is key to realize the chitosan potential.

CHIME  : Chitosan-based Molecular Responses

The aim of the CHIME project is to identify biological markers that can be used to predict plant responses to different Chitomixes.

The objective is to move from empirical observation towards a more measurable development approach, based on defined biological indicators.

Contribution from HES-SO Valais-Wallis

HES-SO Valais-Wallis will contribute expertise in molecular biology and plant response analysis.

The project will examine whether selected biomarkers can provide a more precise readout of Chitomixes effects on plant growth, resilience, or related biological responses.

Innobooster Future Food Farming

The Innovation Booster Future Food Farming is powered by Innosuisse and supports early-stage innovation projects in the Swiss agro-food system.

The programme is promoted and managed by the Suisse Agro Food Leading House, together with Cluster Food & Nutrition and Swiss Food Research.

➡️ Further information on the Innobooster Future Food Farming and Chitomixes: www.chitomixes.com