Syngenta and Lavie Bio announce partnership to discover and develop novel bio-insecticide

Syngenta Crop Protection, a leader in agricultural innovation, and Lavie Bio Ltd., a subsidiary of Evogene Ltd. (Nasdaq: EVGN, TASE: EVGN), and a leading ag-biologicals company, announced an agreement for the discovery and development of new biological insecticidal solutions.

The collaboration will leverage Lavie Bio's unique technology platform to rapidly identify and optimize bio-insecticide candidates, as well as Syngenta’s extensive global research, development and commercialization capabilities.

Insects pose a major challenge to the health of crops worldwide, directly injuring plants as they feed on the plant’s stems, fruit and roots, as well as indirectly by transmitting bacterial, viral and fungal infections to crops – costing the global economy an estimated $70 billion a year, according to the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization. Experts predict such losses will worsen with global warming widening the spread of invasive insect risk and rising resistance to available insecticides.

″Syngenta is a leader in advancing sustainable agriculture and we are thrilled to collaborate with Lavie Bio in biocontrol innovation and bring novel modes of action in the growers’ toolbox to combat insect resistance,″ said Camilla Corsi, Global Head of Research at Syngenta Crop Protection. ″This collaboration underscores Syngenta's commitment to collaborating with cutting-edge agricultural technology companies, merging digital and experimental approaches to accelerate and diversify innovation.″

"We're excited to collaborate with Syngenta, a world leader in agricultural innovation," said Amit Noam, CEO of Lavie Bio. "Both companies share a mutual commitment to sustainable farming and together, we aim to develop an impactful bio-insecticide product. Lavie Bio's unique computational capabilities and Syngenta's vast experience in developing and commercializing innovative products make this partnership significant. We enthusiastically look forward to joining forces to achieve the mutual task of insect management in agriculture."