Key Takeaways:
- EPA Submission: Ascribe Bioscience has submitted Phytalix®, a biofungicide, for US Environmental Protection Agency registration.
- Innovative Solution: Phytalix offers an innovative, sustainable disease control method being both non-toxic and effective against major crop pathogens.
- Field-Tested Efficacy: Over four years of field trials, Phytalix has matched the efficacy of synthetic fungicides in controlling fungal, viral, and bacterial pathogens.
- Comprehensive Safety Studies: Over 50 independent safety studies have confirmed the non-toxic nature of Phytalix, paving the way for EPA review.
- Future Availability and Expansion: Post-EPA registration, Phytalix will be available in the US, with plans for submission in Brazil and Canada.
Ascribe Bioscience, an ag-tech company based in Ithaca, NY, has reached a significant milestone by submitting its application to the US Environmental Protection Agency to register Phytalix®, its flagship biofungicide. This step marks a crucial phase in introducing an innovative, sustainable solution for disease control in agriculture.
Phytalix is a result of pioneering research at the Boyce Thompson Institute and Cornell University. It stands out in the crop protection products market with its natural origin and non-toxic mode of action. Unlike traditional fungicides directly targeting pathogens, Phytalix enhances plant defenses, offering a safer yet effective alternative.
Field trials over four years have demonstrated Phytalix’s capability to rival synthetic fungicides in efficacy. In these trials, Phytalix has shown control over significant pathogens affecting crops like corn, wheat, and soybeans, including Northern and Southern Corn Leaf Blight, Gray Leaf Spot, and Fusarium Head Blight. Jeff Lakner, a South Dakota farmer and board member of Agtegra Cooperative, underscores the need for innovative solutions that are both cost-effective and compatible with modern farming practices.
Preparing for the EPA’s stringent review process, Ascribe Bioscience conducted over 50 safety studies through independent labs. The results from these studies have been reassuring, confirming the safety of Phytalix. Jay Farmer, the CEO of Ascribe, expressed optimism about Phytalix’s potential to revolutionize farming by increasing yields and reducing the reliance on synthetic fungicides.
In its preparation for EPA dossier submission, Ascribe collaborated with the regulatory advisory firm SciReg, Inc., and conducted most of its safety studies through Product Safety Labs. With EPA approval, Phytalix will become available for various crops and home and garden use across most US states. The anticipated commercial launch is by 2026, followed by expansion plans into markets like Brazil and Canada.
Ascribe Bioscience, established in 2017 and based on discoveries at the Boyce Thompson Institute at Cornell University, focuses on developing natural crop protection and fertilizer products. Their mission aligns with the global need for environmentally friendly and health-conscious agricultural practices, offering solutions to increase crop yield without compromising soil health or human safety.
Image provided by Ascribe Bioscience