Enko Chem ENKOMPASS™ Named “AI-based AgTech Platform of the Year” By AgTech Breakthrough

Annual Awards Program Recognizes Innovation in Agricultural & Food Technologies Around the Globe

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 14, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AgTech Breakthrough, a leading market intelligence organization that recognizes the top companies, technologies and products in the global agricultural and food technology markets today announced that Enko Chem, Inc. has been selected as the winner of the “AI-based AgTech Platform of the Year” award in the 7^th annual AgTech Breakthrough Awards program.

ENKOMPASS™ is Enko’s AI-powered discovery platform that integrates DNA-encoded library (DEL) screening, machine learning, and structure-based molecular design. The discovery engine guides the company’s R&D, helping discover and advance lead molecules with novel modes of action as well as differentiated, resistance-breaking chemistry against established targets, 75% faster and at 90% lower cost than traditional R&D methods.

ENKOMPASS screens billions of molecules against biological targets, then uses computational and experimental methods to evaluate promising chemistry for efficacy, selectivity, early safety and manufacturability. Data from each discovery campaign further improves Enko’s ability to prioritize molecules with the strongest potential to become commercially relevant crop protection products.

“Our platform has increased the productivity of traditional agrochemical R&D. Learning cycles run faster, stop decisions come sooner and capital can be deployed more predictably.” said Tony Klemm, CEO of Enko. “Thank you to AgTech Breakthrough for this recognition. We built ENKOMPASS to strengthen the innovation ecosystem around crop protection companies, helping move promising chemistry from the lab to market faster and with less risk.”

The AgTech sector is rapidly redefining how food is produced, managed and distributed – transforming one of the world’s most essential industries. From AI-driven crop analytics and precision farming platforms to sustainable agriculture solutions and autonomous equipment, AgTech is delivering greater efficiency, transparency and environmental responsibility.

The mission of the annual AgTech Breakthrough Awards program is to recognize the innovators transforming the global agricultural and food production landscape through technology. The program conducts a comprehensive analysis of the companies, technologies and solutions redefining how crops are grown, livestock is managed and food is produced and distributed. From precision agriculture platforms and farm management software to AI-driven yield forecasting, IoT-based soil and water sensing, and synthetic biology innovations, these breakthrough innovations are enabling agricultural companies to operate more sustainably, feed a growing global population and shape the future of how the world grows and produces food.

“Enko is transforming how crop protection products are discovered and developed. Agriculture faces pressure to feed a growing population amid climate volatility. When it comes to developing chemistries and solutions, the challenge is scale. The number of small, drug-like molecules is beyond what any team can screen by hand. DEL screening produces exactly the large, structured datasets that can support ML-enabled analysis and prioritization,” said Bryan Vaughn, Managing Director, AgTech Breakthrough. “Enko built that capability into ENKOMPASS™ deliberately. Enko is changing the economics and speed of crop protection discovery. This solution shows how AI combined with advanced chemistry and scientific judgment makes discovery faster, smarter, and more sustainable. Congratulations on winning ‘AI-based AgTech Platform of the Year!’”

About AgTech Breakthrough
Part of Tech Breakthrough, a leading market intelligence and recognition platform for global technology innovation and leadership, the AgTech Breakthrough Awards program is devoted to honoring excellence in agricultural & food technologies, services, companies and products around the world. The AgTech Breakthrough Awards program provides a forum for public recognition around the achievements of AgTech companies and solutions in categories including farm management, indoor farming, IoT and robotics, FoodTech, analytics and more. For more information visit AgTechBreakthrough.com.

Tech Breakthrough LLC does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in our recognition programs, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with award designations. Tech Breakthrough LLC recognition consists of the opinions of the Tech Breakthrough LLC organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Tech Breakthrough LLC disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this recognition program, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

About Enko^®
Enko (Enko Chem Inc.) designs safe and sustainable solutions to farmers’ biggest crop threats today, from pest resistance to new diseases. By applying the latest drug discovery and development approaches from pharma to plants, Enko is bringing an innovation model to agriculture and meeting farmers’ evolving needs. Founded in 2017, and led by a team of proven scientists, entrepreneurs, and agriculture industry veterans, Enko is backed by investors including the Gates 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. For more information, visit www.enko.ag. Follow us on LinkedIn.

Media Contact:
Bryan Vaughn
AgTech Breakthrough
Bryan@AgTechBreakthrough.com
949.529.4120