ApheaBio and Bayer will co-develop bioinsecticides

ApheaBio announced a research partnership with Bayer to accelerate the development of bioinsecticides against sucking insects. The agreement targets agricultural pests with a significant economic impact. The collaboration aims to expand the crop protection tools available to producers.

The partnership will utilize ApheaBio's research and development platform. The company works with bioactive metabolites extracted from selected microbial strains. According to the company, these compounds allow the development of biological solutions with handling characteristics and shelf life similar to those of non-living products.

Sucking insects pose a challenge to global agriculture. Regulatory restrictions and resistance issues with certain classes of insecticides have increased the demand for control alternatives. ApheaBio reports evaluating thousands of microbial strains and advancing the most promising candidates through stages focused on safety, efficacy, and commercial specifications.

Initial focus

The initial collaboration will focus on fruit trees. The scope includes pome fruits, stone fruits, citrus fruits, and grapes. The agreement also foresees potential expansion into vegetables and extensive crops such as cotton and soybeans.

The signing took place in Monheim, Germany. ApheaBio will contribute with lead identification, characterization, and development. Bayer will add global commercial reach and development and commercialization capabilities.

The companies intend to advance prototypes through field validation and initial regulatory interaction. Milestone discussions will follow criteria of effectiveness, safety, production capacity, and clarity of the regulatory path. Financial terms were not disclosed.