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Crop proteCtioN

BioWorks enters european market with high quality biopesticides
BioWorks enters European market with high quality biopesti-
cides and biostimulants
BioFirst Group officially launches BioWorks on the European
market. As an independent division within the group, which also
includes Biobest, the focus of BioWorks is on developing biopesti-
cides and biostimulants. The company aims to support European
growers in strengthening crops and biological control of pests and
diseases in the form of these innovative and sustainable solutions.
This will prepare growers for the future of agriculture and horti-
culture.
Anticipating a growing need
There is an increasing demand for effective biological solutions provide advice to growers locally. This combination of central in-
in the European agricultural sector. Growers are faced with pests
and diseases that are less susceptible to conventional chemical novation and local support ensures a maximum impact and practi-
products, while stricter legislation has limited the range of tradi- cal, personalised advice.
tional pesticides. BioWorks is responding to this development with What does this mean for growers and distributors?
a portfolio that is suitable for specialty crops such as vegetables, • Distributors will purchase products directly from BioWorks;
soft fruit, ornamental plants and open field crops such as pome
and stone fruit, citrus, leeks and onions. • Growers will not notice significant changes in their daily con-
tacts, except that the product brand is BioWorks brand;
A key strength of the division is the strategic synergy with BIO-
TROP, a company acquired by BioFirst that offers strong R&D capa- • Behind the scenes, the specific focus of BioWorks will offer
bilities, a robust pipeline of biological innovations and advanced greater specialisation, innovation and close cooperation between
liquid and solid matter fermentation capacity. This partnership product development and practical advice.
enables BioWorks to launch state-of-the-art products onto market, "BioWorks wants to provide European growers with effective,
accelerate innovation cycles and expand the product portfolio sustainable solutions that respond to the current challenges in
globally. agriculture and horticulture," says Lara Ramaekers, Vice-Presi-
Partnership with distributors boosts local expertise dent of the BioWorks division. "Growers can continue to rely on
In Europe, BioWorks works with a complementary network of na- their trusted advisors from Biobest or other distribution partners
tional distributors, regional dealers and retail partners. BioWorks from BioWorks, but can now benefit from even more expertise, a
manages the brand and develops the product portfolio, while broader range and innovative solutions that will fully prepare their
trusted partners – such as Biobest in some countries – continue to crops for the future." Circle 12 on enquiry card

Nufarm and Moa announce next phase

for their novel mode of action herbicide

Moa Technology and Nufarm are pleased to announce the start
of the next phase of their collaboration to bring an exciting novel
mode of action agricultural herbicide to the global market, reach-
ing this stage over a year earlier than typical industry timelines.
The two companies have together assessed several promising
novel mode of action compounds identified by Moa’s GALAXY
discovery platform. These have demonstrated strong and consis-
tent efficacy against some of the world’s most damaging and her- other Moa compounds from the same mode of action area.
bicide-resistant weeds over three seasons of field trials in North
and South America, Australia and Europe. Moa and Nufarm are The initial research phase of the collaboration has been com-
now working together at pace to characterise a broad spectrum pleted in just twelve months. During the next phase the two com-
pre-emergence novel mode of action herbicide for selection as panies will be conducting larger global field trials, crop use and
lead candidate and preparation for ultimate registration. This safety studies, human and environmental safety testing, and opti-
comes just 24 months after this novel mode of action area was first mising the product for commercial use.
classified by Moa’s GALAXY platform and validated in its glass- Commenting on the deal, Nufarm CEO Greg Hunt said:
houses.
“Working with Moa is a powerful example of how collaboration
Moa and Nufarm’s collaboration began in July 2024, when the two and partnership can accelerate innovation and bring forward
companies announced a research and commercial partnership to solutions that create real, lasting value for farmers and growers
create a new, safe and effective herbicide capable of overcoming and a more effective way of deploying our capital to improve
weed resistance. Weeds pose a serious threat to crops around the shareholder returns.”
world, and there is urgent demand from farmers for innovative
solutions to protect their harvests. Moa Technology CEO Dr. Virginia Corless said:
The collaboration deal gave Nufarm exclusive access to a com- “This outstanding progress shows just what can be achieved with
pound in one of Moa’s novel mode of action chemical classes, in a combination of world leading technology, capable of making
return for Moa receiving upfront payments, milestone develop- novel discoveries at unprecedented speed, and an ambitious and
ment payments and eventual royalties from sales of the herbicide. visionary partner like Nufarm, which really understands how the
Nufarm also retains an exclusive first option to commercialise needs of the market are evolving.” Circle 13 on enquiry card

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