BugBiome, an agritech innovator developing new bioinsecticides from crop-associated microbes, is field testing its lead product against aphids via a new Innovate UK grant with partner Niab, an experienced crop trial specialist.
The project, ’Sustainable crop control: efficacy of insecticides from lab to field’, will investigate the effectiveness of the aphid bioinsecticide, the first from the company’s proprietary AvidX platform, against aphid infestation on sugar beet in controlled and field settings.
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The partners will also optimise the product to improve efficacy and cost-effectiveness in the field. Field validation of the effectiveness of the lead product outside the lab will mark a major milestone for BugBiome as its sustainable crop control business matures.
Field trials
Niab, an expert in field trial design and implementation, will lead the polytunnel and field experiment components of the project. Product development will include optimizing stability of the bioinsecticide, which is important for competitive manufacture at scale. In addition, the project will investigate other markers of effectiveness, and further develop commercial, regulatory and manufacturing strategies.
Aphid infestation in sugar beet, primarily through the transmission of virus yellows, can lead to up to 20% yield losses, costing the UK industryover £54 million annually.
BugBiome is backed by Cambridge Angels, Discovery Park Ventures, IndieBio/SOSV and AgVentures Alliance. Proceeds from its ongoing fundraising round will further support development and commercialisation of its lead biopesticide, as well as generation of a pipeline of follow-up products.
Dr Alicia Showering, CEO of BugBiome, said ‘This Innovate UK grant enables us to accelerate field validation of our lead bioinsecticide and core AvidX platform technology outside of the lab, important milestones for the company. Compelling data on the field effectiveness of our first product will drive BugBiome’s commercialisation and partnering activities.’
Background
BugBiome is a biotechnology start-up harnessing the power of microbes to create novel pest protection solutions to protect crops.
Their proprietary platform (AvidX) screens microbes for insecticidal activity by combining microbial characterisation and insect behavioural understanding to classify bioinsecticides based on function, enabling rapid discovery and development of novel microbial pest control agents. This approach aligns with the needs of modern agriculture while remaining committed to ecological balance and biodiversity conservation.
The lead product targets aphids, a major agricultural pest, aiming to provide farmers with an effective crop protection tool. For more information please go to www.bugbiome.com and follow on LinkedIn.
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