Biota Technology

Founded in 2013 by Ajay Kshatriya, Rob Knight, and Joel Moxley, Biota Technology emerged as a specialist in industrial genomics, applying DNA sequencing and data science to diagnostics for the earth's subsurface. The company's genesis is rooted in translating complex university-based microbiome research into commercial applications. Co-founder and former CEO Ajay Kshatriya brought a wealth of relevant experience, with a background in chemical engineering, an MBA, and prior roles at biotechnology firm Genentech and venture capital firm XSeed Capital, where he focused on commercializing scientific innovations.

Biota's core business involves providing environmental genomics applications, primarily for the petroleum industry, to enhance reservoir economics and minimize environmental impact. The company serves major industrial clients, including international supermajors and national oil companies, by delivering diagnostics that guide decisions on fluid movement, reservoir characterization, and production optimization. Its business model revolves around offering a full suite of services, from sample acquisition and DNA extraction to sequencing and proprietary data analysis, which provides actionable intelligence to its customers. By analyzing the microbial DNA in oil, water, and rock, Biota helps operators identify productive zones and improve the sustainability of energy extraction.

The company's service delivers value by using environmental DNA, which eliminates the need for special equipment or sample collection procedures, making the process more economical and convenient for clients. This approach allows for the monitoring of microbial changes over time, controlling for operational variables to give customers confidence in the analytics for commercial decision-making. In March 2021, the industrial biotech leader Novozymes (now Novonesis) acquired Biota's data science platform and its research and development team to bolster its own microbiome capabilities. Prior to this, Biota had expanded its platform strategy to serve a broader industrial base, including the agriculture, water, chemicals, and mining sectors.

Keywords: industrial genomics, DNA sequencing, data science, subsurface diagnostics, oil and gas analytics, environmental genomics, microbial DNA, reservoir characterization, production optimization, environmental impact reduction, microbiome data, fluid movement analysis, sustainable energy production, Novonesis, Ajay Kshatriya, Rob Knight, Joel Moxley, petroleum industry services, asset monitoring, enterprise AI