Ghent biotech firm Aphea.Bio partners with Bayer to develop biological insecticides
The Ghent-based crop protection company Aphea.Bio has entered into a strategic partnership with the German group Bayer to develop biological pesticides targeting insect pests in agriculture. Aphea.Bio, a spin-off of the Flemish Institute for Biotechnology, Ghent University and KU Leuven, announced the deal on Wednesday.
The collaboration aims to accelerate the development of bio-insecticides against sap-sucking insects such as aphids and thrips, which cause severe economic damage in agriculture. The two companies say the goal is to "expand the crop protection toolbox for growers."
Aphea.Bio is contributing its R&D pipeline, while Bayer brings its global market reach and capacity for large-scale product development and commercialisation. The partnership will initially focus on fruit crops such as citrus and grapes, with vegetables and arable crops including cotton and soya potentially added at a later stage.
"Bayer's decision to collaborate with us reflects confidence in our team's ability in developing high-quality bioinsecticide leads, while they bring the capability to take these solutions to millions of farmers," said Isabel Vercauteren, CEO of Aphea.Bio. "Together, we can deliver crop protection that actually works on a global scale, addressing pests that currently have few effective options"
The deal reflects a broader trend in the agricultural sector towards nature-based crop protection, as major companies face regulatory pressure on conventional chemical products and seek to invest in biological alternatives.
#FlandersNewsService | PHOTO © JEAN-FRANCOIS MONIER / AFP
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