Agchem firm checks out Biosignal technology
Date:06-05-2008
The Australian company, Biosignal (Eveleigh, New South Wales), has entered into a non-exclusive agreement with an unnamed agrochemical multinational for the evaluation of technology for the control of fungal and bacterial pathogens on crops and seeds. The evaluation will be carried out by the multinational over the next nine months, with results expected in early 2009.
Biosignal is developing compounds originally aimed at the control of microbial “biofilms”. However, trials have indicated that the compounds also have a high level of activity against fungi, the company says. Biosignal is developing synthetic versions of furanones found in the Australian seaweed, Delisea pulchra. The research was triggered by the observation that the seaweed produces furanones to keep it free of biofilms.
Biosignal is initially targeting industrial and medical applications for the technology, with the first product introductions due in 2009. It expects to set up separate business units to cover the various sectors. “This deal is a positive early step in our strategy to establish a dedicated agricultural business,” says Biosignal’s chief executive officer and co-founder, Professor Peter Steinberg.
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