BioHarvest Sciences Inc. (NASDAQ: BHST) (FSE: 8MV0) announced it has received a 4.33 million NIS (approximately $1.4 million) grant from the Israel Innovation Authority (IIA) to fund a research initiative integrating artificial intelligence and data science into its plant cell culture development process.

The grant, structured as a non-dilutive, zero-interest loan, will support the development of a computational platform combining machine learning, computer vision, bioinformatics, and high-throughput digital sensing into BioHarvest's biological research workflows. The platform is intended to predict the success of plant cell propagation and increase active metabolite yields. Repayment is contingent on predefined commercial milestones and is expected to come solely from revenues generated by the funded project.

This is the second IIA grant BioHarvest has received in 2026. The first grant focused on integrating industrial automation and machine learning into the company's manufacturing facility. The current grant targets early-stage research and development.

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Zaki Rakib said, "This grant, the second we have received from IIA, strengthens the Company's financial position by providing non-dilutive capital support as we additionally implement a more efficient, smarter means for our biological development workflows."

According to the company's press release, the funded research aims to shift plant cell culture development away from trial-and-error methods toward a data-driven optimization framework. The resulting platform is intended to support BioHarvest's contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) customers seeking novel plant-based compounds.

No equity or equity-linked instruments were issued in connection with the grant.