Biotalys and Novozymes have entered into a partnership to expand opportunities for Evoca, Biotalys’ first proprietary biocontrol.

The partnership provides that Novozymes will use its expertise, intellectual property rights and know-how to explore additional routes for the upscaling and production of the bioactive protein of Evoca, with the option of a possible commercial collaboration for a future generation of the product.

Evoca is a protein-based biofungicide developed on Biotalys’ AGROBODY Foundry platform that helps control fungal diseases such as Botrytis and powdery mildew in fruits and vegetables. The product is expected to obtain approval by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) later this year. This is expected to pave the way for the regulatory assessment of Biotalys’ pipeline of product candidates, which includes biofungicides, biobactericides and bioinsecticides based on the Biotalys AGROBODY Foundry technology platform.

“We are excited to enter into this agreement with Novozymes, a global leader in biological solutions for the agricultural and other industries,” said Patrice Sellès, CEO of Biotalys. “With its vast expertise in enzymes and protein fermentation technologies, Novozymes represents a strong partner to support the growth ambitions of Biotalys towards offering growers globally a cost efficient and effective future generation of Evoca.”

“We are pleased that we are able to add significant value to Biotalys’ technology through our world leading industrial fermentation expertise to help Biotalys deliver cost efficient products to provide growers new, sustainable solutions for controlling pests,” says Thomas Batchelor, Vice President, Agriculture Marketing and Strategy of Novozymes. “We also see the Biotalys technology as potentially a good complement to our own pipeline of enzyme and microbial solutions as well as our existing commercial biocontrol portfolio.”

RETURN to home page and read our latest New AG International issue, here.