Halogene Bio

Halogene Bio is a Nepal-based biotechnology initiative founded by Jeevan Labh to address climate change and its effects on agriculture through genomics, biotechnology, and evidence-based policy. Our long-term objective is to strengthen food security and agricultural resilience by translating scientific research into practical solutions for climate-vulnerable regions, beginning with Nepal and the wider Himalayan region.

Halogene's primary focus is climate-resilient agriculture. We are developing a research direction centred on the genomic resources and adaptive potential of underutilised Himalayan crops, including barley, buckwheat, amaranth, millets, and rye. These crops may hold valuable genetic traits for adapting to environmental stress, yet their potential is not fully reflected in agricultural research priorities and policy discussions.

Our proposed initiative combines two complementary approaches:

1. We have reviewed existing genomic datasets and published literature to identify promising genetic traits, research gaps, and opportunities for genomic analysis that could support climate-resilient crop improvement. We aim to build on existing scientific resources through research-intensive experimental work.
2. Connecting scientific evidence with agricultural adaptation strategies, food security priorities, and public policy. The goal is to help researchers, policymakers, and development stakeholders make better-informed decisions about the conservation and use of locally adapted crop diversity.

This science-to-policy approach is intended to ensure that genomic research contributes to tangible agricultural outcomes rather than remaining confined to academic publications.

The initiative is led by Jeevan Labh, Founder and CEO of Halogene Bio, an early-career biotechnology researcher and entrepreneur from Nepal.

My research experience spans molecular biology, genomics, and pharmaceutical quality control. My previous work includes investigating mitochondrial DNA copy numbers in head and neck cancers using patient tumour biopsy samples, working with cultured cell lines, and contributing to genomic database and environmental microbiome projects. I have also independently developed a computational tool, NUMTs Extractor, for identifying and extracting nuclear mitochondrial DNA sequences from whole-genome and whole-exome sequencing data.

These experiences have shaped my approach to biotechnology: combining accessible computational methods, existing scientific evidence, and targeted experimental research to address problems with practical significance.

At present, Halogene is founder-led and in the process of developing the collaborations and operational capacity needed to advance its research agenda. Building a multidisciplinary team spanning genomics, computational biology, plant science, and agricultural policy is an important next step. Establishing suitable laboratory infrastructure and access to sequencing and analytical facilities would subsequently enable us to progress from literature-based investigation and computational research to experimental validation and applied research.

An important milestone has been translating the scientific rationale for Himalayan crop genomics into a policy-oriented discussion. My paper, From Mountain Landraces to Climate-Resilient Crops: Genomic Resources of the Hindu Kush Himalaya. Preprint, 2026., outlines the potential relevance of these crops to agricultural resilience and food security: DOI: 10.5281/ZENODO.20811603. Accepted for presentation, 12th International Conference on Legume Genetics and Genomics 2026.

The immediate priority is to develop this concept into a structured, evidence-based research programme. Initial activities would include mapping available genomic resources, synthesising evidence on crop adaptation, identifying priority traits and research gaps, and producing policy recommendations that can guide subsequent research and partnerships.

Progress beyond this initial phase will require investment in people, research infrastructure, and collaborative capacity. Funding would enable Halogene to recruit appropriate scientific and policy expertise, establish reliable access to laboratory and computational resources, and develop partnerships with research institutions and agricultural stakeholders. We intend to approach these requirements in stages, matching infrastructure and team development to clearly defined research milestones rather than building costly capacity before its needs are established.

Our broader ambition is to develop Halogene into a biotechnology organisation that connects rigorous genomics research with the realities of climate adaptation and food security, generating knowledge and tools that can benefit Nepal and other climate-vulnerable regions.