Key Takeaways
- Syngenta and Ascribe Bioscience have signed a development and supply agreement giving Syngenta exclusive commercial access to PHYTALIX for rice and major crops in Southeast Asia.
- PHYTALIX is a biofungicide based on research from the Boyce Thompson Institute at Cornell University, working by mimicking plants' natural resistance processes against fungal, bacterial, and viral pathogens.
- The agreement follows four years of Syngenta field trials in which PHYTALIX demonstrated strong performance against Bacterial Leaf Blight and consistent yield gains in rice.
- PHYTALIX features a novel mode of action, high stability, and low application rates, making it suitable across farm sizes and compatible with integrated pest management programs.
- First commercial launches are planned for Asian markets in 2029, with registration and market development activities beginning immediately.
Syngenta and Ascribe Bioscience Sign Agreement for PHYTALIX Biofungicide in Southeast Asia
Syngenta and Ascribe Bioscience have signed a development and supply agreement for PHYTALIX, a biofungicide engineered to enhance crop resistance against fungal, bacterial, and viral diseases. Syngenta gains exclusive commercial access to PHYTALIX for rice and other major crops in Southeast Asia, with potential regional expansion. The deal follows four years of field validation by Syngenta, during which PHYTALIX delivered consistent performance against Bacterial Leaf Blight and measurable yield improvements in rice.
PHYTALIX was developed from discoveries at the Boyce Thompson Institute at Cornell University and replicates plants' natural resistance mechanisms, building protection across rice, soybeans, corn, and wheat against a broad range of pathogens throughout the growing season. The product's novel mode of action, high formulation stability, and low application rates make it a practical complement to conventional crop protection within integrated pest management programs.
“The collaboration with Ascribe reflects our commitment to bringing farmers differentiated solutions that help them implement more efficient farming strategies and more modern farming approaches by combined use of conventional and biological products,” said Emilhano Lima, Syngenta's Global Head of Seedcare and Biologicals. “Partnering with other innovators in the industry is crucial to accelerate the delivery of biological solutions to the farmers who need them most.”
Rice Focus Addresses Food Security and Disease Pressure Across Asia
Rice is a daily staple for nearly half the global population, and yields face growing pressure from climate stress, emerging diseases, and pathogen resistance. PHYTALIX targets this gap by offering a scalable biological crop protection option that bridges conventional and biocontrol approaches, applicable across farms of all sizes.
“By partnering with Syngenta in Asia, we're able to bring this innovation out of the lab and into the hands of farmers who need new, sustainable options to manage crop diseases,” said Dr. Jay Farmer, co-founder and CEO of Ascribe Bioscience. “Syngenta's partnership represents strong validation of the global potential for PHYTALIX.”
Syngenta Registration and Commercial Launch Targeted for 2029
Syngenta and Ascribe Bioscience will immediately advance registration activities and market development across covered Asian markets, with first commercial product launches planned for 2029.
6 Comments