Israeli AgriTech Startup Partners With Swiss Firm On Bioinsecticide

Israeli AgriTech company Lavie Bio is collaborating with Switzerland’s Syngenta Crop Protection to develop a new biological insecticide to combat crop pests. 

Insects are among the most serious threats to crops around the world, not only feeding on the plants but also passing on bacterial, viral and fungal infections. According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), these pests cost the global economy around $70 billion each year. 

Chemical insecticides are sprayed onto crops and other plants to deter the insects that feed on them, but experts have long warned that some of the  chemicals used are dangerous to humans.

Bioinsecticides, on the other hand, use natural materials such as oils, plants and minerals to repel insects. 

The new partnership will see Lavie Bio use its technology to identify and find the optimum bioinsecticides, while Syngenta will provide R&D experience and its global commercialization capabilities.

“This collaboration underscores Syngenta’s commitment to collaborating with cutting-edge agricultural technology companies, merging digital and experimental approaches to accelerate and diversify innovation,” said Camilla Corsi, global head of research at Syngenta. 

“We’re excited to collaborate with Syngenta, a world leader in agricultural innovation,” said Lavie CEO Amit Noam.

“Both companies share a mutual commitment to sustainable farming and together, we aim to develop an impactful bio-insecticide product,” he said. 

“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.”