The Women TechEU financing enabled significant achievements for Antler Bio's EPIHERD platform. The project secured collaboration agreements with seven early-adopter farms, generating valuable gene expression data and phenotypic metadata. Technological advancements included enhancing the accuracy, scalability, and affordability of analysis capabilities and data storage, as well as the development of a new AI-driven tool to improve analysis reliability. Actionable insights provided to the farms led to measurable improvements in milk yield, profitability, sustainability, and animal health. The company also improved its management and leadership capabilities, preparing for a significant fundraising round. The project's economic impact included increased farm productivity, exemplified by a 9.1% increase in milk yield for one farm, enhancing profitability without additional input. Societally, EpiHerd optimised farm operations, improving animal health and welfare, which in turn contributed to better quality products and more efficient farming practices. Environmentally, the platform's ability to increase milk yield without additional resource consumption promoted greater sustainability.
To ensure further uptake and success, the project requires continued research and development. Demonstration projects are needed to validate the technology in diverse farming environments. Access to new markets and successful commercialisation are crucial, supported by securing additional financing, intellectual property protection, and compliance with regulatory standards. Building partnerships with industry stakeholders and creating a supportive ecosystem will also be essential for the technology's adoption and the achievement of sustainable and efficient agriculture goals.
