Biotalys starts field trials for second biofungicide

Biotalys develops protein-based biocontrols for sustainable crop protection. Photo: Ibrahim Khairov (CC BY 4.0)

Biotalys, an agricultural technology (AgTech) company developing protein-based biocontrols for sustainable crop protection, announced the initiation of field trials for BioFun-6, the company’s second biofungicide program under development on its Agrobody technology platform.

BioFun-6 is a biofungicide targeting botrytis, powdery mildew and anthracnose in high-value fruits and vegetables. Biotalys has developed several candidate bioactive ingredients for BioFun-6 on its Agrobody technology platform, and the company will now test one of the lead molecules in field trials starting in May 2024. The company will collaborate with selected third parties such as contract research organizations to perform these trials. The first round of field trials will focus on grapes and tomatoes in Europe, with initial results expected by the end of this year.

Kevin Helash, Chief Executive Officer of Biotalys, commented: “Moving BioFun-6 into the field is important for Biotalys, demonstrating our ability to advance a series of protein-based bioactive ingredients on our platform in concert. As our first product candidate, Evoca™, progresses through the needed regulatory process and its commercial version Evoca NG enters its final development stage with our partner Novonesis, we will continue to build our strong pipeline of biofungicides and bioinsecticides to help growers in their transition towards more sustainable practices.”

Biotalys was founded in 2013 as a spin-off from the VIB (Flanders Institute for Biotechnology) and has been listed on Euronext Brussels since July 2021. The company is based in the biotech cluster in Ghent, Belgium.