WOYM - Farm to Pharma: Biotech Roots in Rural Kansas
The Official Podcast for Kansas Wheat
Hosted by Aaron Harries
Tritica Biosciences, a rural Kansas startup founded by Brandi and Dr. Chris Miller, is turning heads and wheat germ into revolutionary biotech. Backed by a $29 million grant from ARPA-H, their mission is to create shelf-stable, cell-free protein synthesis platforms using Kansas-grown wheat. Imagine insulin production powered by wheat embryos, all done on-site and without needing traditional bioreactors. It’s happening just east of Manhattan, Kansas.
What began in a 100-square-foot lab in a converted barn is now a scalable biotech enterprise with a 10,000+ square-foot facility, multiple partners, and global potential. In this episode of Wheat’s On Your Mind, the Millers explain the science, the story, and the significance behind their work. From food security to pharmaceuticals, this is a game-changing look at wheat’s future beyond the grain bin.