Paine Schwartz Partners–backed HGS BioScience, a leading provider of biological crop solutions, announced the acquisition of Pharmgrade, an Idaho-based innovator specializing in microbial consortium products.
Following the successful combination of HGS BioScience and NutriAg in late 2025, this acquisition represents the next step in HGS’s strategy to build a scaled, science-led biologicals platform serving retailers and growers across North America and beyond.
The addition of Pharmgrade strengthens the platform by adding deep expertise in microbial consortium development, complementing HGS’s current strengths across humates, bionutritionals, and plant extracts.
“Biologicals are growing rapidly, but the market remains fragmented and difficult to navigate – especially for retailers trying to determine what works, how to deploy it, and how to deliver consistent results,” said Mike Steffeck, CEO of HGS BioScience. “By bringing together HGS, NutriAg, and now Pharmgrade, we are building something different: a single, integrated platform with the scale, science, and manufacturing depth to consistently deliver solutions that work in the field. Pharmgrade adds critical capabilities in microbials – one of the largest and fastest-growing segments of the market – and strengthens our ability to stack technologies and deliver multiple modes of action that drive real, measurable ROI for growers.”
Kelly Tuttle, Founder and CEO of Pharmgrade, added: “Joining HGS BioScience allows Pharmgrade to scale our microbial technologies, developed and optimized over 30 years, through a platform with the formulation expertise, manufacturing depth, and market access to reach more growers, faster.”
A Platform Built to Serve Retailers and Growers
With the addition of Pharmgrade, the HGS BioScience platform now offers:
- A complete biological portfolio:
Solutions spanning humates, bionutritionals, plant extracts, and microbials – with the ability to intentionally stack technologies for multiple modes of action and deliver them in any formulation: liquid, powder, or granule. - A differentiated innovation engine:
An integrated R&D organization combining agronomic and field-trial capabilities, expertise in manufacturing and formulation, and Pharmgrade’s specialized microbial biology. - Scaled, reliable manufacturing:
A vertically integrated footprint across North America, enabling consistent quality, cost-competitive supply, and flexible delivery formats, including liquid, powder, and granule. - Broad market access:
Strong partnerships with leading retailers, distributors, and technical partners across the U.S., Canada, and international markets.
Together, HGS BioScience and Pharmgrade form one of the most comprehensive and scalable biological platforms in North America – positioned to be a long-term partner for retailers and growers.
For more information, visit www.hgsbioscience.com
