About ABAzyne
An early spring frost can be devastating for your vineyards. Fragile buds destroyed just as they emerge. Despite your best efforts to nurture these vines, a single frost can wipe out years of hard work overnight.
These unexpected frost events highlight the urgent need for solutions that protect crops and safeguard the livelihoods of growers in an increasingly unpredictable climate. That’s why ABAzyne has developed a new way to mitigate frost and freeze events. Our patented ABA analog allows growers to be proactive. With a single post-harvest application, ABA Boost takes care of the cold.
We Take Care of the Cold
Our Science Is Our Strength
The active ingredient in ABA Boost is a derivative of natural abscisic acid (ABA). ABA Boost has all the same biological effects as natural ABA in plants but its effects last longer. The levels of natural ABA in grape vines decrease over winter and are susceptible to extreme low temperatures in mid winter and late spring frosts. The effects of ABA Boost last longer, increasing cold hardiness in winter to prevent freeze damage and also avoiding early budbreak in the spring.
Say Goodbye to Smoke Taint
Frost candles. Expensive, smokey and a lot of work. Smoke released by the burning candles lingers and clings to grape skins, ultimately affecting the flavor and quality of the wine. Even small amounts of smoke exposure can lead to unwanted aromas and tastes, making the wine unsellable. The damage from smoke taint can undo a year’s worth of vineyard care, leaving you with compromised crops and substantial financial losses.
ABA Boost eliminates the threat of smoke taint. A single post-harvest application ensures that frost candles and smoke taint are a thing of the past.
Meet the Team
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Jerome Konecsni
CO-FOUNDER & CEO
Jerome is an award-winning innovator and executive with a track record of leading world-first achievements in science and commercialization. As Director General at the National Research Council of Canada, he was part of the team behind the world’s first 100% biojet fuel flight. At Bioriginal, his team delivered four world-first innovations and won NRC’s Innovative Product Award. He has also served as CEO of Innovation Saskatchewan and Genome Prairie.
Today, he leads ABAzyne Bioscience, applying this proven ability to scale breakthrough technologies toward global agricultural markets. -
Sue Abrams
CO-FOUNDER & CSO
Sue Abrams is an accomplished scientist and Adjunct Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Saskatchewan. She previously served as Director of the Saskatchewan Structural Science Centre and spent more than 30 years with the National Research Council of Canada.
Her career includes over 170 peer-reviewed publications, five patents, and leadership in advancing plant growth regulators inspired by the natural stress hormone abscisic acid. At ABAzyne, Sue brings her deep expertise in plant chemistry and innovation to the development of next-generation agricultural solutions.
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Lyndon Lisitza
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
Lyndon Lisitza has dedicated his career to advancing agriculture from the ground up. Raised on a family farm in Saskatchewan, he went on to earn an MSc in Agricultural Economics from the University of Saskatchewan before moving into leadership roles across policy, ag-tech, and farmland investment.
He’s served as Policy Advisor with the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture, founded and led Renterra—an online farmland rental platform, and managed over $200 million in farmland assets for CPPIB as Portfolio Manager with Canterra Capital. Today, Lyndon brings his deep expertise and entrepreneurial mindset to ABAzyne as Chief Operating Officer.
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Naveen Diddi
CHIEF RESEARCH OFFICER
Naveen is a versatile synthetic organic chemist with more than 16 years of experience spanning pharmaceutical research and academic science. An expert in multi-step and asymmetric synthesis, he has led ground breaking work in the design and development of bioactive molecules, natural product synthesis, and plant growth regulators.
His research achievements include pioneering novel synthetic methodologies, completing total syntheses of complex natural products, and developing scalable processes for potent ABA agonists—core to ABAzyne’s innovations. In addition to his technical expertise, Naveen has trained and mentored the next generation of chemists, bringing both scientific depth and leadership to ABAzyne’s R&D.
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Ken Macquarrie
HEAD OF MARKETING & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Ken brings extensive experience in business development, marketing, and distribution, with a unique perspective from both supplier and retailer roles. He has a proven track record in strategic planning, market development, and supply chain optimization, helping companies maximize revenue, efficiency, and customer value.
At ABAzyne, Ken leverages his expertise to build partnerships, navigate regulatory landscapes, and drive growth for our innovative agricultural solutions. His strong analytical, planning, and communication skills make him an invaluable member of the team, ensuring our technologies reach the growers and markets that need them most.