Novozymes enters agricultural biocontrol with enzymes

February 1, 2021 – Novozymes, the world leader in biological solutions, is entering the biocontrol segment of agriculture with promising enzyme-based technology – expanding beyond its current base of microbial products and innovation. The new technology has broad potential to control major pests that impact the agricultural industry and are responsible for billions of dollars of damages each year.

“While early, we see a lot of potential in the enzyme biocontrol technology to complement our current innovation and provide highly efficacious yet sustainable pest control solutions for farmers globally – making a real impact in addressing the major challenges to chemical pesticide usage,” says Ester Baiget Arnau, Novozymes’ President and CEO. “As the global leader in industrial biotechnology, including enzymes, we are very excited about the expanded potential we have seen for our core enzyme capabilities and technology to now pioneer an important role in pest control in agriculture.”

The agricultural industry faces challenges to replace or reduce chemical pesticides with more sustainable solutions. In some regions, the usage of key chemical pesticides is already restricted and, importantly, in a world facing increasing pressures, consumers are demanding that products they consume are made in a more sustainable manner.

Against that backdrop, effective biological pest control solutions are in high demand and the biocontrol market is expected to grow at double digits for the foreseeable future.

Strategic collaboration with FMC

As part of the entry into the biocontrol segment with enzyme technology, Novozymes is announcing a strategic collaboration with FMC, a leading global agricultural sciences company, to research, co-develop, and commercialize biological enzyme-based crop protection solutions for growers around the world in two specific segments.

Under a multi-year global agreement, the partnership will be targeting combination products of the enzyme-based biocontrol technology with FMC insecticides, focusing on FMC’s leading diamide insecticide technology, and targeting enzyme-based biocontrol solutions for controlling Asian Soybean Rust (ASR), a major soy fungal disease which is particularly problematic in South America.

Together, the companies will combine their respective R&D capabilities with FMC serving as commercial partner and Novozymes as the manufacturing partner. The partnership will leverage Novozymes’ enzyme biocontrol technology development to date, and the companies will work closely together to unlock the potential and seek the necessary approvals to commercialize the technology in the relevant global markets.

“We see FMC as a great partner with strong scientific and commercial capabilities – and, importantly, a clear commitment to biological solutions,” says Ester Baiget Arnau. "Our partnership with FMC is part of our increased efforts to meet the need for sustainable pest control solutions for growers around the world. Together, we will develop innovative biological solutions for key market segments where FMC is an ideal commercial partner." 

According to Novozymes and FMC, the enzyme biocontrol technology can potentially support stand-alone products as well as play a critical role in providing comprehensive integrated pest management solutions for farmers.

"We look forward to partnering with Novozymes in bringing enzymatic technology to the crop protection market," says Mark Douglas, FMC President and Chief Executive Officer. "FMC is committed to delivering differentiated biological products that provide growers with science-backed solutions to help sustainably manage crops, protect yields, and combat resistance. The use of enzymes in agriculture is an exciting new frontier for biologicals."

Biocontrol Technology Platform

Recently, Novozymes has increased its strategic commitment to the biocontrol segment – continuing to leverage its more flexible multi-partner setup in BioAg.

From its research, the company sees a potential of enzymes to control numerous microbial and insect pests effectively. Going forward, the new efforts with FMC, alongside existing microorganism technology, will form part of a broader Biocontrol Technology Platform.

“We continue to see the agricultural biologicals market as a very attractive space for Novozymes with a clear need for impactful technology – whether microbes or enzymes,” says Tina Sejersgård Fanø, Novozymes' Executive Vice President for Agriculture & Industrial Biosolutions. “We are excited about the solutions we have recently brought to market with our partners and believe our biotechnology will play an increasingly relevant role in delivering sustainable crop protection.”

_{Animation: Enzyme technology and biocontrol
Novozymes’ enzyme-based biocontrol technology has broad potential to address some of the major challenges to existing crop protection solutions in a more sustainable manner.}