Sustainable Podcast: Verdesian Life Sciences’ Clare Doyle on Bio-Tech Solutions in 2026
In this Sustainable Podcast episode by AgriBusiness Global, Clare Doyle, CEO of Verdesian Life Sciences, delves into why 2026 marks a turning point for agriculture and biotech, biological solutions on the horizon, regions where integrated management is most prevalent, and more.
Doyle is a seasoned executive with more than three decades of global leadership experience across the specialty chemicals, building materials, and agrochemical sectors. Prior to joining Verdesian, Doyle held several senior leadership roles at Masonite International. Earlier, she served as Managing Director of Masonite Europe. Doyle’s earlier career includes executive roles at Elementis plc, and at Rohm and Haas Company.
Doyle holds an MBA from Columbia Business School and a BS in Electrical Engineering from Tulane University. She has completed executive education programs in Sustainable Capitalism at Berkeley Law and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at the University of South Florida.
*This is an edited and partial transcript
AgriBusiness Global: Would you say that 2026 marks a turning point for agriculture and biotech?
Clare Doyle: No one would argue that we don’t have challenging market conditions. The good news is that challenging market conditions often serve as catalysts for innovation. It’s forcing growers to look away from the status quo and opportunities to drive efficiency, drive impactful change, and look for creative solutions.
2026 feels like an inflection point because the pressure on growers hasn’t been any more challenging than it is right now … The industry seems to be moving and looking for better solutions.
ABG: Building on that, are there any biological solutions on the horizon that you think will make a big impact?
CD: Across the industry, we’re seeing a meaningful shift toward solutions that strengthen the soil biome, and that’s exactly what we’re pursuing. We’re looking for and bringing to market solutions that help the crops perform better under various stresses. We’re supporting nutrient cycling and whole plant resilience. We continue to innovate with metabolites, small molecules that’re essential for plant health.
ABG: Adding to that, what would you say sustainability means today?
CD: When we think about sustainability, we have to be very practical and think about not only the environment, the water, and the air, but also about economic viability. If you have solutions that address part of the equation, but you miss that whole economic viability piece of it, we won’t have a sustainable solution.
ABG: Can you discuss also how biology-forward management complements conventional inputs?
CD: When you think about the future, it is not one or the other. These solutions are going to work hand in hand going forward.
ABG: Are there any regions or markets where you’re seeing this trend be the most prevalent?
CD: Our key markets are North America and South America. The trend is strongest and more adopted in South America, but we do see North America being very open to solutions. In these markets, where there are a lot of challenges, people are looking for innovative solutions.
ABG: Is there anything else you would like to add?
CD: In this market, it’s all about efficiencies. Efficiencies in what we do, and efficiencies in what we’re applying to the soil, and nutrient use efficiency is all about good ROI for the grower and a good outcome for the soil and the environment.