Endobios© platform for discovering novel biopesticides

Overview

The Endobios© platform is an innovative solution that leverages the natural interactions between hosts and microbes to discover novel biopesticides. By isolating bacteria from various eukaryotic phytopathogens, including fungi, unwanted vegetation, insects, and nematodes, the platform aims to harness the secondary metabolites produced by these bacteria. These compounds, refined over millions of years, are tailored to be antagonistic to specific pathogens, providing a natural and effective approach to pest control. Beyond agriculture, the potential applications extend to food preservation, veterinary, and human health sectors.

Technical specifications

• Host-microbe strategy: Recognizes eukaryotic phytopathogens as metaorganisms hosting bacterial 'guests' in various symbiotic statuses.
• Bacterial isolation protocol: Proprietary techniques effectively isolate challenging endosymbionts and episymbionts.
• Core innovation: Building a bacterial culture collection for each host pathogen.
• Screening process: Utilizes cheminformatics for chemical novelty prediction and in vitro toxicity screening.
• Development process: Involves scaling up cultures, isolating and elucidating structures, conducting dose-response assays, and assessing modes of action and patentability.

Technology readiness level

Currently at Technology Readiness Level 4, the Endobios© platform has undergone validation and development according to pharmaceutical R&D standards. The platform is ready for further development and commercialization in collaboration with industry partners.