Bayer and AlphaBio introduce revolutionary bioinsecticide

Agri-TechE member Bayer has announced a significant partnership with UK-based R&D company AlphaBio Control, aimed at launching the first-ever biological insecticide tailored for arable crops. This exclusive licensing agreement is anticipated to bring the new product to market by 2028.

Under this agreement, Bayer gains exclusive rights to market the new biological insecticide developed by AlphaBio Control, tailored for arable crops including oilseed rape and cereals. This innovative product targets pests such as the cabbage stem flea beetle, prevalent in the United Kingdom and Europe, which inflicts damage throughout the growing season, leading to ‘shot-holing’ symptoms that stunt growth and compromise plant health.

“This is a really exciting product to bring to market,” remarked Becky Dodds, Director of Communities at Agri-TechE .

“We featured AlphaBio at an Agri-TechE event a number of years ago, and agronomists in the room expressed great interest in FLiPPER™ at the time. It’s a testament to the hard work and tenacity at getting this product not only in mainstream use on the farm, but that this exciting new relationship with Bayer has emerged.

“We’ve been thinking a lot about commercial application of biologicals recently – particularly in reference to the need for collaboration to effectively address the challenging regulatory environment. We know with greater pressure on active ingredients this is a really interesting partnership for the future.”

While many biological options cater to high-value vegetable and horticulture crops, their cost often relies on consumer-supported price premiums. However, for arable crops, cost-effective solutions at a larger scale are essential for competitiveness.

Bayer’s systems approach, which integrates various solutions, plays a pivotal role in ensuring affordability for these bioinsecticides. By incorporating the new product into a digitally-supported integrated pest management system, Bayer maximizes cost efficiencies, making the bioinsecticide accessible and competitive in the market.

“We are delighted to license Bayer exclusive rights to our latest bioinsecticide, which will significantly improve the choices available to arable farmers wishing to reduce the environmental impact of food production,” said Marta Ruiz, General Manager for AlphaBio Control.

The collaboration between Bayer and AlphaBio Control signifies a significant step forward in addressing the growing demand for sustainable crop protection solutions. By targeting key pests in arable crops, the bioinsecticide offers farmers an effective and environmentally friendly alternative.

“With increasingly strong demand from farmers and changing consumer preferences, we see major growth potential for biological crop protections like this one,” added Ralf Glaubitz, Head of Global Asset Management for Seed Growth & Biologics at Bayer’s Crop Science Division.

“We’re working to outgrow the market and achieve more than 1.5 billion euro in biological sales by 2035. That’s only going to happen if we innovate to solve the challenges that farmers face in all fields.”

Please click here to explore the full insights and recommendations outlined in the report ‘Precision spraying and biologicals – driving collaboration’, produced by Agri-TechE in collaboration with Cambridge Consultants.