Key Takeaways:
- AgPlenus Ltd. and Corteva Agriscience have achieved a significant milestone in developing novel herbicides.
- A new molecule family, APCO-12, demonstrating a novel Mode of Action (MoA), has been identified.
- The initiative aims to combat the growing challenge of weed resistance to herbicides.
- The global herbicide market, projected to reach $42.81 billion by 2024, demands innovative solutions.
- Future efforts will focus on refining these molecules for commercial deployment, leveraging advanced computational and R&D capabilities.
Breakthrough Discovery in Herbicide Development
AgPlenus Ltd., a subsidiary of Evogene Ltd. (Nasdaq: EVGN) (TASE: EVGN), in partnership with Corteva Agriscience (NYSE: CTVA), has announced a notable achievement in their ongoing effort to develop innovative herbicides. This collaboration has led to the discovery of APCO-12, a new family of molecules that exhibit a herbicidal effect through a previously unidentified Mode of Action (MoA).
Addressing the Challenge of Weed Resistance
The global agricultural sector faces significant challenges with weed resistance, exacerbated by the limited introduction of new MoAs over the past three decades. This issue highlights the critical need for the development of novel herbicides that can offer effective weed control without contributing to the resistance problem.
In response to this challenge, Vid Hegde, VP of Crop Protection Discovery and Development at Corteva, stated, “Farmers are in dire need of new technologies to address weed resistance challenges. Our collaboration with AgPlenus has accelerated the identification of a class of herbicide chemistry that targets a new mode-of-action for weed control, something the industry has been lacking for decades.”
Leveraging Technology for Sustainable Solutions
The collaboration between AgPlenus and Corteva Agriscience utilizes AgPlenus’s computational technology platform, powered by Evogene’s ChemPass AI tech engine, and Corteva’s R&D capabilities. This synergy aims to optimize the newly identified class of molecules towards developing a commercial-level herbicide product.
Dr. Dan Gelvan, CEO of AgPlenus, reflected on the milestone, stating, “We are excited about the milestone achieved in our collaboration with Corteva Agriscience, which reflects the synergy established between the teams. Our commitment to advancing sustainable agriculture remains steadfast, and we look forward to delivering innovative herbicide solutions to farmers worldwide.”
AgPlenus Latest News
AgPlenus and Bayer Partner for Crop Protection (2024/02/22)
AgPlenus Ltd. and Bayer AG have partnered to tackle critical challenges in agriculture, such as weed resistance and the impact of climate change on farming practices. Leveraging AgPlenus’ AI-driven technology, the collaboration aims to introduce innovative solutions to the herbicide market, accelerating the delivery of sustainable crop protection products. The partnership addresses the urgent need for new herbicides to protect crops and support global food security.
AgPlenus Welcomes Dr. Adrian Percy to the Board of Directors (2023/07/18)
Dr. Adrian Percy, former Head of R&D for Bayer’s Crop Science division, has joined AgPlenus’ board of directors. AgPlenus is a platform company specializing in the design of novel and safe crop protection products. Dr. Percy’s expertise in sustainable agriculture will contribute to AgPlenus’ mission of developing innovative crop protection products that address global food security challenges. Through the collaboration between AgPlenus and Evogene, we can anticipate exciting advancements in environmentally friendly agricultural technologies.
