Brazil joins Budapest treaty, strengthening bioinputs and biotech sector

Brazil has formally joined the Budapest Treaty, a move set to reshape the country’s biotechnology and bioinputs landscape. The accession, through Legislative Decree No. 174/25, allows Brazil to streamline procedures for depositing microorganisms needed for patent protection, a process that previously required reliance on foreign institutions.

For the Brazilian Association of Bioinput Industries (Abinbio), the development is a strategic boost. Mauro Heringer, Abinbio’s Director of International Relations, said the move reduces bureaucratic barriers, lowers costs, and enhances legal certainty, making the Brazilian bioinputs sector more attractive to investors. “Adherence represents fewer bureaucratic barriers, greater legal certainty to protect our innovations, and a more attractive scenario for investments in the bioinputs and biotechnology sector,” he said.

Until now, Brazilian companies and researchers faced significant financial and procedural hurdles when registering microorganisms internationally. With treaty membership, national institutions such as Embrapa Cenargen and the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz) can become International Depositary Authorities (IDAs), providing domestic capacity to deposit microorganisms for patenting. Heringer noted that the change could decisively improve operational efficiency, reduce foreign currency costs, and accelerate the introduction of bioinputs to the market.

The global bioinputs market is among the fastest-growing in agriculture, driven by demand for sustainable solutions that replace or complement chemical inputs. Brazil is emerging as a key frontier for both agricultural and industrial bioinputs, and treaty membership strengthens the country’s ability to compete internationally.

“Bioinputs play a central role in the transition to more sustainable and competitive agriculture. Adherence strengthens the sector at every stage—from research and innovation to product arrival on the market. This measure sends a clear message to investors: Brazil is safe for innovation,” Heringer said.

Beyond cost savings, treaty membership integrates Brazil into a system where a single deposit is recognized in all signatory countries, eliminating duplicative processes that previously slowed research. Abinbio sees this as a breakthrough for startups and multinationals alike, accelerating the delivery of new bioinputs and other biotechnologies.

Looking ahead, the association expects the move to attract investment and partnerships, enhance the translation of scientific knowledge into high-value products, and generate skilled jobs. Heringer added that the decision reinforces Brazil’s readiness to compete in one of the most strategic sectors of the future.

With the bioinputs market growing more than 20% annually and generating billions in economic value, Brazil’s accession to the Budapest Treaty marks a significant step toward consolidating its position in global biotechnology.