Aphea.Bio submits regulatory approval application for first biofungicides
The company announces the submission of applications for its first biofungicides VALORIA™ and VIRTUOSA™
May 8, 2024
VIB spin-off company, Aphea.Bio, a leading provider of microbial solutions for agriculture, announces the , to obtain federal approval from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Upon registration, these biofungicides will offer farmers a sustainable, and economically viable, answer to major diseases in wheat, fruit and vegetables.
VALORIA ™ and VIRTUOSA™ are the first biofungicides, derived from Aphea.Bio’s unique technology platform, APEXbio™. This high-throughput R&D platform accelerates the discovery process of thousands of naturally-occurring micro-organisms, leading to next-generation biostimulant and biocontrol products.
The two new microbial-based biofungicides are designed for foliar application: VALORIA™ for wheat, and VIRTUOSA™ for fruit and vegetables. Based on a Streptomyces strain, they offer advantageous features, such as ease of use, a two-year shelf life at ambient temperatures, and are mixable and compatible with existing agricultural chemicals. Effective against a broad spectrum of diseases, they protect wheat against head blight, yellow rust, leaf blotch, and powdery mildew, and fruit and vegetables against diseases such as grey mold and powdery mildew.
The application submissions follow three years of extensive field testing, conducted by Aphea.Bio and validated by external partners, demonstrating consistent and robust performance both as standalone solutions and within Integrated Pest Management systems. In independent trials performed by reputable organizations, VIRTUOSA™ surpassed competitor biofungicides in performance. This positions both VALORIA™ and VIRTUOSA™ as reliable options for growers looking to replace or supplement their standard practices. All studies confirm that the microbial strain has a very low risk profile, with no adverse effects observed in toxicity studies and no ecotoxicological risks identified.
“We are excited to submit our first biofungicides VALORIA™ and VIRTUOSA™, for EPA registration. This marks a significant milestone, demonstrating the versatility and efficacy of our technology platform APEXbio™ in delivering not only biostimulants but also biocontrol solutions. We are looking forward to the introduction of more innovative biocontrol products across many crops and countries in the coming years”, says Isabel Vercauteren, CEO of Aphea.Bio.
The company will soon proceed with international registrations and file application submissions in the European Union and California. As we await the outcome of the regulatory review process, we continue our commitment to leveraging beneficial microorganisms for crop growth, thus advancing the transition towards sustainable agriculture.
VALORIA™ and VIRTUOSA™: Pending Registration. These products are not currently registered for sale or use in the United States and are not being offered for sale.
