Key Takeaways
- AgPlenus has discovered a novel Mode of Action (MoA) active against Zymoseptoria tritici, the fungal pathogen responsible for Septoria tritici blotch (STB) in wheat.
- The discovery was achieved through virtual screening, experimental testing, and greenhouse trials, with promising compounds identified.
- STB is a leading cause of wheat crop loss globally, with over €1.2 billion in fungicide sales annually in Europe alone.
- The discovery comes at a critical time, as fungicide resistance continues to challenge global wheat production.
- AgPlenus will advance the optimization of these compounds using its proprietary ActiveSearch™ tool, with plans for further development and potential industry collaborations.
AgPlenus’ New Approach to Combat Zymoseptoria tritici in Wheat
AgPlenus Ltd., a subsidiary of Evogene Ltd. (Nasdaq: EVGN) (TASE: EVGN), has announced a major breakthrough in sustainable crop protection with the discovery of a novel Mode of Action (MoA) fungicide active against Zymoseptoria tritici.
Zymoseptoria tritici is responsible for Septoria tritici blotch (STB), one of the most destructive diseases impacting wheat crops worldwide. The pathogen has developed increasing resistance to existing fungicides, intensifying the need for new crop protection solutions.
Through advanced computational screening and lab testing, AgPlenus has successfully identified small molecules that effectively inhibit fungal growth, marking a significant step toward the development of next-generation fungicides.
Dr. Dan Gelvan, CEO of AgPlenus, stated: “I am encouraged by the results obtained by utilizing the various tools in ChemPass AI for Ag in our Zymoseptoria program and the progress the program has made. With increasing fungicide resistance posing challenges to wheat yields worldwide, the identification of these novel targets is timely.”
A Growing Market Need for New Fungicide Solutions
✔ STB is a major contributor to wheat crop loss, with over 70% of wheat fungicides in Europe targeting Zymoseptoria tritici.
✔ The European fungicide market for wheat is valued at more than €1.2 billion annually.
✔ Current fungicide solutions face rising resistance, increasing the demand for alternative modes of action.
To address this challenge, AgPlenus leveraged its proprietary TargetSelector™ and PointHit™ tools to predict and validate potential target proteins essential for fungal survival. The company rigorously tested the identified compounds in laboratory and greenhouse trials, demonstrating their effectiveness in reducing fungal growth.
AgPlenus Advances Toward Commercialization
With these promising initial results, AgPlenus is entering the next phase of development, focusing on further optimizing the discovered molecules using its ActiveSearch™ tool.
