MYSTIC, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Enko Chem, Inc. today announced thatENKOMPASS™, its AI-powered discovery platform, has been named “AI-based AgTechPlatform of the Year” in the 7th annual AgTech Breakthrough Awards program. Theaward recognizes a discovery model designed to reduce the time and capitalrequired to find and advance new crop chemistry.

“Faster progress. Lower cost. Greater impact. I am proudto see the Enko team recognized for what we set out to do, which is change thespeed and economics of crop protection discovery,” said Tony Klemm, CEO ofEnko.

“Faster progress. Lower cost. Greater impact. I am proud tosee the Enko team recognized for what we set out to do, which is change thespeed and economics of crop protection discovery,” said Tony Klemm, CEO ofEnko. “ENKOMPASS gives us a fundamentally different way to search for andadvance new chemistry at a time when agriculture needs new solutions fasterthan ever.”

Early-stage discovery is the most expensive andfailure-prone stage of crop protection R&D. Chemists design, synthesize andtest compounds in small batches, and most of that spend goes toward moleculesthat never advance. ENKOMPASS attacks the problem where it starts. DNA-encodedlibrary (DEL) screening, machine learning and advanced molecular design allowEnko to evaluate billions of molecules and identify the most promisingchemistry.

Every screen makes the next one better. As Enko generatesmore data, its machine learning models become better at predicting whichmolecules are most promising. Scientists guide the process, validate theresults and decide what advances. The result is faster learning, earlierdecisions and more efficient use of capital across the discovery process.

Enko tackles expensive unknowns earlier. New crop protectionchemistry must clear regulatory requirements, demonstrate environmental safetyand be manufacturable at scale. Traditional discovery programs often uncoverthese challenges later, when they become more costly to address. Enko bringsmolecular design, greenhouse testing and early safety screening together withinone discovery process, allowing teams to identify potential issues sooner andfocus resources on the chemistry with the clearest path to becoming a product.

“Agriculture needs new chemistry, and it needs thatchemistry faster than the traditional discovery model can deliver,” said BryanVaughn, Managing Director, AgTech Breakthrough. “ENKOMPASS changes theeconomics of discovery by allowing Enko to evaluate billions of molecules andfocus its resources on the strongest candidates earlier. We’re pleased torecognize ENKOMPASS as ‘AI-based AgTech Platform of the Year.’”

Resistance is spreading and regulatory requirements areincreasing, leaving growers with fewer options and a growing need for new modesof action. ENKOMPASS brings together AI, advanced chemistry and scientificjudgment to discover and advance the next generation of crop protectionsolutions.

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About Enko^®

Enko (Enko Chem Inc.) designs safe and sustainable solutionsto farmers’ biggestcrop threats today, from pest resistance to new diseases. Byapplying thelatest drug discovery and development approaches from pharma toplants, Enko is bringing an innovation model to agriculture and meetingfarmers’ evolving needs. Founded in 2017, and led by a team of provenscientists, entrepreneurs, and agriculture industry veterans, Enko is backed byinvestors including theGates Foundation, Anterra Capital, DYDX Capital, Nufarm,Novalis LifeSciences, Germin8 Ventures, TO Ventures Food, and Rabo Food &Agri Innovation Fund.Enko is headquartered in Mystic, Connecticut, USA. Formore information, visit www.enko.ag.Follow us on LinkedIn.

Enko’s Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-LookingStatements

This press release contains forecasts, projections, goals, plans, and otherforward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on Enko'sassumptions, estimates, outlook, and other judgments made in light ofinformation available at the time of preparation of such statements and involveboth known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Accordingly, plans, goals, andother statements may not be realized as described, and actual financialresults, success/failure or progress of development, and other projections maydiffer materially from those presented herein. The forward-looking statementsare neither promises nor guarantees, and you should not place undue reliance onthese forward-looking statements because they involve known and unknown risks,uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond Enko’s control andthat could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed orimplied by these forward-looking statements. Enko does not intend to update anyforward-looking statements appearing herein in the event of changingcircumstances or otherwise, and such statements are current only as of the datethey are made.

©2026 Enko Chem, Inc. 62 Maritime Drive, Mystic, CT 06355USA

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Contact Information

Enko Chem, Inc.
comms@enko.ag

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