Biotikum

Biotikum - focusing on small things that have a big impact

For decades, antibiotics have been used to prevent, treat, and control bacterial infections in livestock. However, the overuse and misuse of antibiotics in both animals and humans is contributing to the growing threat of antibiotic resistance – with potentially devastating effects on both food security and human health. But what if there was a way to promote sustainable farming practices, while still improving profitability and protecting food security? Biotikum Pty (Ltd) aims to do just that.

Founded in 2020 by Dr Deon Neveling, Dr Liesel van Emmenes, and Prof Erik Strauss, and supported by Innovus – Stellenbosch University’s technology transfer team – Biotikum aims to research and develop cutting-edge microbial solutions for the agricultural industry. Currently, they are in the process of developing and producing microbial additives that protect against infection and in doing so, alleviates the need for antibiotic usage in the agricultural sector. In addition to probiotic research and development, Biotikum also offers genetic identification of unknown microbial isolates and high-quality microbial manufacturing. Biotikum was one of Innovus’ pandemic success stories - with Innovus managing to successfully launch and establish the new spin-out company despite the strict national lockdown in 2020.

Dr Liesel van Emmenes

Dr Liesel van Emmenes is the current Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) and executive director of Biotikum Pty (Ltd). In addition to holding a PhD in Animal Science which she obtained from Stellenbosch University, she has extensive expertise in the fields of animal nutrition and rearing. As CAO, Liesel was instrumental in developing Biotikum’s first product that entered the market, ProbiGal™ – a multi-strain host-specific probiotic for chickens.

Liesel believes the entrepreneurial superpowers she brings to the Biotikum team are her problem-solving skills, critical thinking skills, and knowledge-seeking skills. She also believes that the qualities all entrepreneurs should have in their toolkit are perseverance and taking risks in life. She also stresses the importance of focusing on a dream and working hard every day to realise it.

When asked about her motivation, Liesel says she is motivated by challenges and thrives on using a combination of creativity and critical thinking to help overcome barriers. If she could fix one problem in the world, Liesel says she would tackle the issue of financial inequality – stating that she believes everyone in the world should have the opportunity to educate themselves and become financially independent.