Glasgow-based Solasta Bio, an agri-biotech company specialising in the next generation of green insecticides, announced two significant developments which it said accelerate its path to regulatory approval and commercialisation.
The company has received its first patent grant, with additional patents expected to follow, while also securing a favourable biochemical-like classification from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for its lead peptide candidates.
These latest milestones build on Solasta Bio’s momentum following an oversubscribed $14 million Series A funding round in September 2024.
The round attracted leading agricultural and life science investors, including Forbion BioEconomy Fund, FMC Ventures and Corteva Catalyst, underscoring industry confidence in the company’s technology.
Solasta Bio’s technology is based on insect neuropeptides, which control essential physiological functions. By disrupting these functions in target pests such as aphids, the bioinsecticides kill pest species while being safe for the environment and friendly pollinators such as bees.
“The patent allowances from the US and European Patent Office cover Solasta Bio’s novel peptide candidates, strengthening the company’s intellectual property position and commercial strategy,” said Solasta Bio.
“These patents provide crucial protection for the company’s technology as it moves toward product development and commercialisation.
“In a parallel breakthrough, the EPA has classified Solasta Bio’s lead peptide candidates as biochemical-like, a designation that significantly streamlines the regulatory approval process.
“This classification exempts the company’s products from the conventional insecticide registration pathway, reducing both the time and cost associated with bringing its green insecticides to market.”
Solasta Bio CEO Shireen Davies said: “These developments represent a major inflection point for Solasta Bio.
“The combination of strong patent protection and a more efficient regulatory pathway positions us exceptionally well to advance our product development and reach full commercialisation within a few years.
“Our technology has the potential to transform the global crop protection market, and we are now one giant stride closer to realising that vision.”