NEW TECH FOODS

UK-based agri-tech firm Moa Technology has discovered a new class of crop protection chemistries that could form an entirely new category of products to help farmers manage weeds more safely and sustainably.

The company has identified 80 new herbicidal modes of action over the past three years using its proprietary technology platforms, several of which are already showing effective control of challenging weeds in field trials across the US, Canada, France, Spain, the UK, Australia and South America.

In addition, Moa scientists have uncovered a novel class of “amplifier” molecules, which are non-herbicidal on their own but may enable farmers to reduce the concentration or volume of existing agricultural herbicides. The approach could also create opportunities for hybrid biological-synthetic solutions in weed control, potentially lowering environmental impact.

Moa has entered its first collaboration in this new product category with US-based Gowan Company. The partnership will focus on developing an amplifier for a specific active ingredient, with Gowan making an undisclosed investment including upfront payments, milestone-based value sharing and royalties.

Pilot field trials are already under way in Australia to test an amplifier’s ability to reduce herbicide use against annual ryegrass (Lolium rigidum), a major weed that costs Australian grain growers an estimated AUD 3.3 billion (approx. $2.1 billion) annually in losses and control costs. Additional trials are taking place in the UK targeting cereal grassweeds, including Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum), where glyphosate resistance was recently confirmed for the first time.

Moa's CEO, Virginia Corless, said: "We are excited to discover this entirely new category of weed control solutions to help solve a real and immediate problem for farmers and the environment globally. Our groundbreaking technology platforms and proprietary data are continuing to produce valuable new insights and discoveries at the forefront of plant science, creating new opportunities, solutions and revenue streams for ourselves and for ambitious and forward-looking industry partners like Gowan."

Laurent Cornette, global herbicide asset manager at Gowan, added: "Together with Moa's scientists, we're pioneering innovative solutions for highly efficient weed control at minimal active ingredient rates – empowering farmers with sustainable tools for the future. The possibilities are inspiring, and I have no doubt this partnership will drive transformative benefits for the agricultural community."

Top image: Moa Technology's Virginia Corless. (Credit: Gary Brown)