Key Takeaways:
- Moa Technology reports excellent results from multi-country field trials of new herbicide classes with novel modes of action.
- The trials demonstrated high efficacy in controlling resistant weeds, with some compounds outperforming existing commercial herbicides.
- Moa is optimizing these herbicides for lower use rates, aiming to provide sustainable and cost-effective solutions for farmers.
- Further trials are planned in the southern hemisphere and for other compounds in Moa’s R&D pipeline.
Breakthrough Herbicide Trials Show Promising Results
Oxford University spin-out Moa Technology has announced successful results from multi-country field trials of new herbicide classes with novel modes of action. These trials mark a significant advancement in the fight against weeds, which pose a growing threat to global food security. With over 270 weed species now resistant to current commercial herbicides, Moa’s discoveries offer a much-needed solution for farmers.
Impressive Efficacy Against Resistant Weeds
In trials conducted across diverse climatic zones, Moa’s novel herbicide compounds demonstrated robust efficacy in both pre- and post-emergence applications in crops like wheat, maize, and soybeans. The trials, which included field sites in the U.S., Spain, France, and the UK, showed that Moa’s compounds consistently achieved over 85% control of problematic weeds, such as pigweed, kochia, and foxtail, even at low application rates. Two of the herbicide candidates performed better on a gram-for-gram basis than existing commercial products, indicating their potential as highly effective alternatives.
Ongoing Optimization and Future Trials
Following these promising results, Moa Technology is focused on optimizing the chemistry and formulation of these herbicides to make them even more efficient, affordable, and sustainable for farmers. The company plans to conduct further trials in the southern hemisphere later this year, as well as begin testing additional compounds from its extensive R&D pipeline.
A New Era in Herbicide Discovery
Presenting the trial data at the American Chemical Society (ACS) conference in Denver, Colorado, Moa’s Chief Technology Officer, Dr. Shuji Hachisu, emphasized the significance of these results. “Our compounds have demonstrated efficacy far beyond what would normally be expected from candidates whose chemistry and formulation have not yet been fully optimized. It is great news for farmers, who are crying out for a new generation of novel, effective, safe, cost-effective, and sustainable products to combat resistant and problematic weeds.”
Moa Technology Latest News
Moa Technology and Nufarm Forge Groundbreaking Partnership (2024/07/10)
Moa Technology, an agricultural biotech firm, has partnered with Nufarm, a global agricultural innovator based in Australia, to develop a new mode of action herbicide. The herbicide, currently in field trials in the US, UK, France, and Spain, aims to provide farmers with safe and effective weed management solutions. The partnership includes financial benefits for Moa Technology and exclusive commercialization rights for Nufarm. The collaboration seeks to address the challenge of resistant weeds and offer innovative crop protection solutions to farmers.
Moa Technology Welcomes New Chairman Hartmut van Lengerich (2023/11/30)
Moa Technology, an agricultural biotechnology company, has appointed Hartmut van Lengerich, a former Senior Vice President at Bayer, as its new Chairman. Van Lengerich has over three decades of experience in agricultural economics and will help Moa tackle herbicide-resistant weeds. The company, founded as a spin-out from the University of Oxford, focuses on developing next-generation synthetic and bioherbicides to address the global challenge of herbicide-resistant weeds. Van Lengerich aims to lead Moa in developing new herbicides with unprecedented speed and accuracy.
Moa Technology Strengthens Leadership Team (2023/11/21)
Moa Technology, a leader in the agricultural biotechnology sector focused on addressing herbicide-resistant weeds, has recently announced significant enhancements to its leadership team. The company has appointed Dr. Rob Quinn as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Apostolos Klontzaris as the Chief Business Officer (CBO). This strategic move aims to bolster Moa’s leadership, setting the stage for continued growth and innovation.
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