With the 2026 Tech Showcase fast approaching we are spotlighting FITCI companies leading up to it. Follow along to learn more about the companies featured in this years Tech Showcase, and the groundbreaking technology, research, and science happening in right here in Frederick.
For Anindya Chanda, CEO of Mycologics, fungi have been the focus of his research for over half his career. He describes fungi as one of the most complex and overlooked kingdoms, and years of research eventually led him to a groundbreaking discovery involving fungal bacteria, the catalyst for founding Mycologics.
Every year, farmers spend billions of dollars on crop protection, and that number continues to grow. As the cost of farming rises, finding solutions that are both affordable, sustainable, and that prioritize the health of people and the environment has become increasingly important. Fungal pathogens are one of the leading causes of crop disease and crop failure, and fungal diseases are estimated to destroy between 20% and 40% of the global annual harvest. To put that into perspective, that is enough food to feed approximately 600 million people. Source: Max Planck Society
The threat is only becoming more significant. The percentage of crops lost to fungal diseases has steadily increased since the mid-20th century, with climate change contributing to the growing challenge. Finding new ways to control these pathogens is critical to protecting the global food supply.
Chanda decided to look to bacteria for answers.
His research and discoveries led him to develop a biofungicide that uses bacteria to target the machinery of the harmful pathogens responsible for these diseases. By taking a natural approach to crop protection, Mycologics is working to create a sustainable solution that could be both effective and accessible for farmers.
For Chanda, decades of research into one of nature’s most complex kingdoms have opened the door to a new approach to one of agriculture’s most daunting challenges.
