Key Takeaways
- Micropep has unveiled an in-depth look at Krisalix™, its proprietary AI-powered discovery platform for bioactive micropeptides.
- Krisalix™ integrates generative AI, predictive modeling, and biological and agronomic expertise to accelerate the discovery of new peptide-based crop protection solutions.
- The platform reduces R&D timelines and costs, moving from concept to candidate molecule in months instead of years.
- Micropep’s benchmark product, MPD-01, a peptide-based biofungicide, is currently undergoing field trials in Europe, the U.S., and Latin America.
- A new joint research agreement with Corteva Agriscience highlights Krisalix’s role as a strategic platform for collaboration and innovation in agricultural R&D.
Micropep Introduces Krisalix™ to Accelerate Peptide Discovery in Agriculture
Micropep Technologies, a French agtech company focused on peptide-based crop protection, has introduced Krisalix™, an AI-driven R&D platform designed to accelerate the discovery and development of bioactive micropeptides for agriculture.
Built to shorten the traditional research cycle, Krisalix™ combines data from biology, chemistry, and bioproduction with advanced machine learning models and agronomic insights, allowing for faster design and validation of peptide-based active ingredients.
“With Krisalix, we can go from a biological challenge to a viable molecule in months, not years,” said Mikael Courbot, Chief Technical Officer at Micropep. “It’s a powerful accelerator, not only for our internal development pipeline but also for our partners.”
AI-Driven Design for Peptide Innovation
Through the use of generative AI and machine learning, Krisalix™ can generate and evaluate millions of potential peptide sequences in silico, identifying the most stable, effective, and biocompatible candidates.
This approach reduces dependence on traditional laboratory screening, cutting development costs and time-to-market for new bioactive compounds. Micropep’s AI systems also enable the prediction of protein–peptide interactions (PPI), supporting discovery across multiple use cases such as bioherbicides, biofungicides, and bioinsecticides.
MPD-01: A Benchmark for Krisalix’s Capabilities
MPD-01, Micropep’s first AI-designed biofungicide, serves as a validation of the Krisalix™ platform. The product, based on an antimicrobial peptide (AMP), targets major fungal diseases including Asian soybean rust, mildews, and late blight.
Currently in field trials across Europe, the United States, and Latin America, MPD-01 is being prepared for regulatory submission. The success of MPD-01 illustrates how Krisalix™ can translate computational predictions into field-ready, sustainable solutions that meet both agronomic and environmental expectations.
The company reports that over 10 peptide-based candidates are progressing through the Krisalix™ pipeline, addressing needs across both broad-acre and specialty crops.
Micropep Krisalix™ as a Strategic Industry Platform
Beyond its internal R&D efforts, Micropep is opening access to Krisalix™ through collaborative research agreements and out-licensing opportunities. The platform is structured as a hybrid model, enabling industry partners to co-design and develop proprietary bioactive peptides tailored to specific crop protection needs.
A recent joint research agreement with Corteva Agriscience, one of the world’s largest agricultural companies, marks a key milestone in the commercial deployment of Krisalix.
“This commercial agreement underscores Micropep’s commitment to collaborative research and our ambition to position Krisalix™ as a reference platform in agricultural R&D,” said Georg Goeres, CEO of Micropep. “It enables our partners to co-develop bioactive ingredients with precision, speed, and clear scientific objectives.”
Micropep Technologies
Micropep Technologies is a plant biotechnology company focused on developing a new class of biological crop protection products using micropeptides—short, naturally occurring peptide molecules that regulate plant genes and proteins.
The company's innovations aim to deliver targeted, sustainable solutions for modern agriculture by leveraging the natural regulatory functions of micropeptides to support plant health and productivity.
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