Key Takeaways
- ADAMA and BASF have signed a strategic co-development and commercialization agreement focused on ADAMA’s Gilboa® fungicide active ingredient.
- BASF will develop and commercialize new formulations based on the Gilboa molecule, alongside ADAMA’s own products.
- Gilboa introduces a novel mode of action for cereals and is classified under FRAC Group 32.
- The collaboration aims to address resistance challenges and regulatory-driven gaps in crop protection tools.
- Initial launches are planned for Great Britain in 2027, with broader European rollouts expected from 2029.
ADAMA and BASF Strengthen Collaboration Around Gilboa®
ADAMA Ltd. (SZSE 000553) and BASF have announced a strategic co-development and commercialization agreement centered on ADAMA’s proprietary fungicide active ingredient, Gilboa® (flumetylsulforim). The partnership is designed to accelerate the development and availability of new disease management solutions for cereal growers across Europe.
Under the agreement, BASF will develop and commercialize new formulations based on the Gilboa molecule, while ADAMA continues to advance its own Gilboa-based products. Each company will independently define its product concepts, pricing, and go-to-market strategies.
ADAMA Gilboa® Addresses Resistance and Regulatory Pressures
Novel Mode of Action for Cereal Disease Control
Gilboa represents a new mode of action for cereal fungicides and has been classified within FRAC Group 32, targeting nucleic acid metabolism. The classification was formally recognized earlier this year and positions Gilboa as a new tool for managing fungicide resistance in cereals.
As European agriculture faces increasing regulatory pressure and the phase-out of existing active ingredients, growers are seeking effective and reliable alternatives. According to the companies, Gilboa provides a versatile platform for developing broad-spectrum and long-lasting disease control solutions that support both yield protection and crop quality.
Combining ADAMA Innovation With BASF Market Reach
Complementary Capabilities Across Development and Commercialization
The collaboration brings together ADAMA’s expertise in innovation, formulation, and product mixtures with BASF’s development capabilities and established market access in Europe. The companies state that this structure is intended to shorten development timelines and improve access to new fungicide solutions for farmers.
Florian Wagner, Executive Vice President Portfolio and Innovation at ADAMA, said growers are seeking resilient protection tools as disease pressure and resistance challenges increase. He added that partnering with BASF reflects a shared commitment to innovation, quality, and sustainability.
Marko Grozdanovic, Senior Vice President Global Strategic Marketing at BASF Agricultural Solutions, noted that the companies have collaborated on multiple projects over the past decade and that the agreement combines complementary strengths to deliver new solutions more efficiently.
Planned Launch Timeline for Gilboa-Based Products
Initial Focus on Wheat Markets
Subject to regulatory approvals, ADAMA and BASF plan to launch Gilboa-based formulations for wheat in Great Britain in 2027. Broader European launches are expected to follow in 2029.
The companies position the agreement as a response to evolving regulatory, agronomic, and resistance-related challenges in European crop protection, with the objective of ensuring growers retain access to effective fungicide tools in the coming years.
