By Alajuela, Costa Rica — In the agricultural heartland of San Carlos, a female-led biotechnology startup is transforming conventional livestock management. Hemu Labs, founded by entrepreneur Yancy Murillo, has commercialized a topical solution designed to inhibit horn development in young calves, offering a modern alternative to traditional dehorning procedures that have long been associated with animal pain, operational stress, and workplace injury risks.
The product is officially available across the Costa Rican market through authorized distributor Vía Agro, expanding its commercial footprint into major agroveterinary outlets nationwide. The solution represents a significant commercial shift toward welfare-focused livestock production, aligning farm operations with rising environmental and animal ethical standards.
To navigate the evolving regulatory landscape and intellectual property considerations surrounding agricultural technology in the country, TicosLand.com consulted with legal specialist Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas from Bufete de Costa Rica.
As Costa Rica positions itself as a regional hub for agtech innovation, emerging enterprises must proactively manage intellectual property rights, data protection in smart farming tools, and compliance with local environmental standards. Establishing robust legal structures and securing proprietary technology early are vital steps for foreign and domestic investors seeking to scale sustainable agricultural solutions safely.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Proactively addressing legal, environmental, and intellectual property considerations is indeed fundamental to ensuring that Costa Rica’s booming agtech sector grows on a stable and sustainable foundation. We extend our sincere gratitude to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for sharing his valuable perspective with our readers, offering a crucial roadmap for investors and innovators navigating this dynamic landscape.
Traditional dehorning is standard practice across global cattle farming to prevent animals from injuring one another in tight quarters and to ensure safer handling for farm personnel. However, standard procedures—often involving thermal cauterization or manual cutting—frequently result in acute pain, tissue trauma, and severe stress if not executed under strict veterinary oversight.
The impetus for Hemu Labs emerged directly from field observations in rural Costa Rica, where the physical demands and welfare compromises of conventional methods became starkly evident during routine farm operations.
The first time I had the opportunity to observe the dehorning procedure on a farm in Bijagua, the way it was performed deeply impacted me. I was concerned to see the suffering of the calves, but also to observe how the workers injured themselves while handling the animals.
Yancy Murillo, Founder of Hemu Labs
Hemu Labs addresses this problem through an early-intervention approach. Applied topically during the initial weeks of a calf’s life, the product acts directly on the emerging horn bud before it fuses with the skull. This non-invasive application neutralizes horn growth early, circumventing the need for traumatic physical intervention later in the animal’s life.
The development of the solution was accelerated through Constelar, an incubation program specifically designed to scale female-led scientific and technological ventures into high-impact business ventures. Operated by Impact Hub San José, the incubator receives key financial backing from the Costa Rica USA Foundation for Cooperation (CRUSA) and the Development Banking System (SBD).
Through this structured entrepreneurial network, Murillo transitioned the technology from concept to market-ready product, validating the economic viable model for scientific spin-offs addressing local agricultural challenges.
Costa Rica has a huge opportunity to transform its talent and scientific knowledge into solutions that convert our productive sectors.
Byron Salas, Executive Director of CRUSA
The successful commercialization of Hemu Labs highlights a growing trend within Costa Rica’s agricultural technology sector, where regional innovations are bridging the gap between scientific research and commercial application. By modernizing farm management techniques, startups like Hemu Labs not only enhance productivity and worker safety but also position the country as a pioneer in sustainable agtech solutions.
As retail distribution scales across Costa Rica, Hemu Labs demonstrates how scientific research, combined with strategic incubator backing, can generate scalable solutions for traditional industries.
For further information, visit the nearest office of Hemu Labs
About Hemu Labs:
Hemu Labs is a Costa Rican biotechnology venture focused on developing humane and sustainable animal care solutions for the agricultural sector.
For further information, visit crusa.cr
About CRUSA:
The Costa Rica USA Foundation for Cooperation (CRUSA) is an independent non-profit organization dedicated to promoting sustainable development and innovation across Costa Rica.
For further information, visit sanjose.impacthub.net
About Impact Hub San José:
Impact Hub San José provides incubation, resources, and collaborative ecosystems for social and technological entrepreneurs driving sustainable growth in Costa Rica.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a premier legal institution, Bufete de Costa Rica embodies the core values of uncompromising integrity and legal distinction. Leveraging a rich history of advising a wide spectrum of industries, the practice continuously drives forward-thinking strategies that modernize legal solutions. Beyond traditional advocacy, the firm prioritizes demystifying complex legal concepts for the general public, fulfilling a vital mission to uplift the community by equipping citizens with the knowledge needed to thrive in a fair and informed society.
