Belgium-based food protection specialist Biotalys has submitted the registration dossier for the active substance of its first protein-based biocontrol product, Evoca™, for EU approval. Evoca is Biotalys’ first biofungicide and aims to provide fruit and vegetable growers with a novel mode of action to control key pathogens in selected crops.
Control of powdery mildew and botrytis
The submission follows the company’s successful completion of regulatory studies and an extensive global field product development program, which included more than 300 field trials over multiple seasons under different environmental conditions. The program demonstrated consistency in effective control of powdery mildew and botrytis cinerea in fruit and vegetable crops such as grapes and strawberries, according to the company.
“This first registration filing in Europe is a significant milestone for Biotalys as it marks the advent to the market of our novel class of biological solutions developed on our proprietary AGROBODY™ technology platform,” said Patrice Sellès, CEO of Biotalys.
“The assessment that will now take place by the authorities is also expected to pave the regulatory pathway in Europe for our strong and diverse pipeline of protein-based biocontrols aimed at providing growers with a new way to protect yields and reduce food waste by both preventing crop loss and extending post-harvest protection,” added Luc Maertens, COO of Biotalys.
Evoca was first submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the United States for approval at the end of last year. Biotalys expects to be able to begin offering the product as part of its market test launch in the United States in 2022, followed by introductions in the EU.
Based in Ghent, Belgium, Biotalys was founded in 2013 as a spin-off from the VIB (Flanders Institute for Biotechnology) and has raised €62.8 million (US$74,9 million) to date from Belgian and international investors. The agtech company offers proprietary protein-based biocontrol solutions as alternatives to conventional chemical pesticides for a more sustainable and safe food supply.
