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BVT Interview: Our system gives targeted biological agent delivery to flowers

Crop Science | Headline Analysis
Article By: Sanjiv Rana
Editor in Chief of Agrow, IHS Markit

Sanjiv Rana talks with Bee Vectoring Technologies’ (BVT) chief executive officer, Ashish Malik, to discuss his views on the biologicals sector and the company’s plans.

SR: What have been BVT’s highlights in the past year in terms of product introductions and licensing deals with other companies?

Ashish Malik (AM): BVT continues to grow revenues in the US where we launched our unique technology in 2020. In 2021, despite pandemic-related conditions, which curtailed some of the business development activities with growers in several markets, we were still able to grow revenues by almost 50% and open up markets in Michigan and the Pacific Northwest. We also completed the regulatory approval process in California which has allowed for the business development activities to start there. BVT also agreed a partnership with CBC Biogard last year, which gives us exclusive rights to develop and market Beauveria bassiana ATCC 74040 for delivery using bees across the EU. This partnership represents some significant firsts for the company – its first commercial partnership, it enables first EU revenues, and extends the BVT solution into insect control for first time.

SR: Some of the drivers of increased interest and investment in biologicals have been pressures of public opinion and increased regulatory scrutiny of existing chemical actives. Do you view biologicals as having a role in tackling pest resistance to chemical actives in all crops?

AM: We are seeing biological products being adopted in pretty much all crops now, including broad acre row crops, because of the pressure from consumers, regulators and the food chain to change practices in our crop production systems, including reductions in use of chemicals. Modern biological products offer many benefits to growers – chemical residue management, resistance management, flexibility on how they are applied, and, of course, high levels of efficacy, just to name a few. Many biologicals have novel and physical modes of action, which make them well suited to help tackle pest resistance to chemical actives.

SR: What are some commercialisation challenges specific to biological products that make them easier or harder to bring to market compared with chemical actives?

AM: Earlier biological products had challenges around cost of goods, efficacy or shelf life which would limit their adoption. However, newer products can compete on many fronts – including efficacy and cost in use for farmers – with their chemical counterparts. In addition, we are seeing technologies such as co-formulants or packaging being developed by related companies that see the growth in biologicals as an opportunity for them, which will address some of the traditional challenges for biological products.

SR: Does the introduction of biologicals in a market involve higher levels of farmer training and stewardship compared with chemical actives? What has been your experience with introducing a very specialised product?

AM: It is hard to make a general statement about this. I know of chemical actives that require a high level of farmer training, maybe because of resistance issues, or worker safety, or other restrictions on the label. I would also argue that many chemical products require more stewardship because of the consequences that can arise from their use if those are not consistent with their labels. That being said, I am a firm believer in proper training regardless of whether a product is a chemical or a biological, so that the farmer can get the most out of its use. And of course, the more specialised a product is, the more important this need for training becomes.

SR: What are the expected growth and trends in the biopesticides market compared with chemical actives?

AM: There are projections that I have seen that show growth of biologicals will continue to be in the mid-teens CAGR for the near future. I think you will see more biological solutions for row crops as well.

SR: Most biopesticides have been insecticides or fungicides or nematicides. Do you see a market for bioherbicides?

AM: There is a high demand for bioherbicides for sure. I believe there are several companies that are working on these, and I am confident that we will see some effective products in the future.

SR: Which new biological products were launched by BVT during 2021/2022? In which of the recently launched biological products do you see the most potential for success?

AM: BVT has launched a biological fungicide solution that includes a biocontrol agent and a novel delivery method that harnesses the natural pollination process of commercial beehives. Through the system, multiple pathogens are controlled, and crop yields are increased by as much as 20% and higher in many cases. The benefits of the system include targeted delivery of the biological control agent directly to the flowers, which is the portal of entry of the pathogen, without any wasted active ingredient. We have seen equivalent disease control to current practices with only 1-2% of product being used, with no use of chemicals, no use of water and no use of fossil fuels and so no emission of greenhouse gases with our system.

SR: Which are some promising biological products about to be launched or in the registration pipeline?

AM: In addition to expanding the geographic footprint of the company through new registrations (we have submitted applications in Mexico and Switzerland, and plan to submit in the EU and Canada later this year), we are working on developing a bee-safe biological insecticidal solution using bee vectoring. We have already announced a partnership with CBC Biogard for exclusive use of Beauveria bassiana ATCC 74040 for delivery using bees across the EU. We are also evaluating other products that are already proven to manage various diseases and pests affecting crops during bloom time.

SR: Which are the main crops and markets being targeted by BVT?

AM: There are a wide range of crops we are working on. The initial focus has been on the berry group – blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, and raspberries – but we have also started our work in tree nuts (especially almonds), stone fruit and vegetables primarily in the greenhouse area. We will also be targeting pome fruit (apples, pears) and oilseed crops in the future.