AgPlenus Announces Discovery of a New Mode of Action for Fungicides Against Wheat Disease
AgPlenus, a subsidiary of Evogene (NASDAQ: EVGN), announced the discovery of a novel Mode of Action (MoA) against Zymoseptoria tritici, a fungal pathogen causing Septoria tritici blotch (STB) in wheat crops. The company has identified effective compounds through virtual screening and experimental testing.
The disease represents a significant market opportunity, with over 70% of wheat fungicides in Europe targeting Zymoseptoria tritici, worth more than 1.2 billion euros annually. Using their TargetSelector™ and PointHit™ tools, AgPlenus identified target proteins and inhibitory molecules, which showed promising results in laboratory and greenhouse trials.
The program is advancing to the next phase, utilizing the ActiveSearch™ tool to optimize the discovered molecules and explore potential collaborations for developing a novel fungicide.
AgPlenus, una filiale di Evogene (NASDAQ: EVGN), ha annunciato la scoperta di un nuovo Meccanismo d'Azione (MoA) contro Zymoseptoria tritici, un patogeno fungino che causa la macchia di Septoria tritici (STB) nei raccolti di grano. L'azienda ha identificato composti efficaci tramite screening virtuale e test sperimentali.
La malattia rappresenta un'importante opportunità di mercato, con oltre il 70% dei fungicidi per grano in Europa che mirano a Zymoseptoria tritici, per un valore superiore a 1,2 miliardi di euro all'anno. Utilizzando i loro strumenti TargetSelector™ e PointHit™, AgPlenus ha identificato proteine bersaglio e molecole inibitorie, che hanno mostrato risultati promettenti in prove di laboratorio e in serra.
Il programma sta avanzando alla fase successiva, utilizzando lo strumento ActiveSearch™ per ottimizzare le molecole scoperte ed esplorare potenziali collaborazioni per lo sviluppo di un nuovo fungicida.
AgPlenus, una subsidiaria de Evogene (NASDAQ: EVGN), anunció el descubrimiento de un nuevo Modo de Acción (MoA) contra Zymoseptoria tritici, un patógeno fúngico que causa la mancha de Septoria tritici (STB) en los cultivos de trigo. La empresa ha identificado compuestos efectivos a través de cribado virtual y pruebas experimentales.
La enfermedad representa una oportunidad de mercado significativa, con más del 70% de los fungicidas para trigo en Europa dirigidos a Zymoseptoria tritici, con un valor superior a 1.2 mil millones de euros anuales. Usando sus herramientas TargetSelector™ y PointHit™, AgPlenus identificó proteínas objetivo y moléculas inhibidoras, que mostraron resultados prometedores en ensayos de laboratorio y invernadero.
El programa avanza a la siguiente fase, utilizando la herramienta ActiveSearch™ para optimizar las moléculas descubiertas y explorar colaboraciones potenciales para desarrollar un nuevo fungicida.
AgPlenus는 Evogene (NASDAQ: EVGN)의 자회사로, 밀 작물에서 Septoria tritici blotch (STB)를 유발하는 곰팡이 병원체인 Zymoseptoria tritici에 대한 새로운 작용 메커니즘(MoA)을 발견했다고 발표했습니다. 이 회사는 가상 스크리닝과 실험적 테스트를 통해 효과적인 화합물을 확인했습니다.
이 질병은 유럽에서 70% 이상의 밀용 살균제가 Zymoseptoria tritici를 목표로 하고 있어 연간 12억 유로 이상의 가치를 지닌 중요한 시장 기회를 나타냅니다. AgPlenus는 TargetSelector™ 및 PointHit™ 도구를 사용하여 목표 단백질과 억제 분자를 식별했으며, 실험실 및 온실 시험에서 유망한 결과를 보였습니다.
이 프로그램은 발견된 분자를 최적화하고 새로운 살균제를 개발하기 위한 잠재적 협업을 탐색하기 위해 ActiveSearch™ 도구를 활용하여 다음 단계로 진행되고 있습니다.
AgPlenus, une filiale de Evogene (NASDAQ: EVGN), a annoncé la découverte d'un nouveau Mode d'Action (MoA) contre Zymoseptoria tritici, un pathogène fongique causant la tache de Septoria tritici (STB) dans les cultures de blé. L'entreprise a identifié des composés efficaces grâce à un criblage virtuel et des tests expérimentaux.
La maladie représente une opportunité de marché significative, avec plus de 70 % des fongicides pour blé en Europe ciblant Zymoseptoria tritici, d'une valeur supérieure à 1,2 milliard d'euros par an. En utilisant leurs outils TargetSelector™ et PointHit™, AgPlenus a identifié des protéines cibles et des molécules inhibitrices, qui ont montré des résultats prometteurs lors d'essais en laboratoire et en serre.
Le programme avance vers la phase suivante, utilisant l'outil ActiveSearch™ pour optimiser les molécules découvertes et explorer de potentielles collaborations pour développer un nouveau fongicide.
AgPlenus, eine Tochtergesellschaft von Evogene (NASDAQ: EVGN), hat die Entdeckung eines neuartigen Wirkmechanismus (MoA) gegen Zymoseptoria tritici bekannt gegeben, einen pilzlichen Erreger, der die Septoria tritici-Blattfleckenkrankheit (STB) bei Weizenanbau verursacht. Das Unternehmen hat wirksame Verbindungen durch virtuelle Screening- und experimentelle Tests identifiziert.
Die Krankheit stellt eine bedeutende Marktchance dar, da über 70 % der Weizenfungizide in Europa auf Zymoseptoria tritici abzielen, was einem jährlichen Wert von mehr als 1,2 Milliarden Euro entspricht. Mithilfe ihrer Werkzeuge TargetSelector™ und PointHit™ identifizierte AgPlenus Zielproteine und hemmende Moleküle, die vielversprechende Ergebnisse in Labor- und Gewächshausversuchen zeigten.
Das Programm schreitet in die nächste Phase voran, indem das ActiveSearch™-Tool genutzt wird, um die entdeckten Moleküle zu optimieren und potenzielle Kooperationen zur Entwicklung eines neuartigen Fungizids zu erkunden.
- Discovery of new Mode of Action against major wheat pathogen
- Successful identification of effective compounds through testing
- Large market opportunity (€1.2B annually in Europe)
- Positive laboratory and greenhouse trial results
- None.
Insights
The discovery of a novel Mode of Action against Septoria tritici blotch represents a pivotal development in the
- Current fungicides face increasing resistance issues, creating an urgent market need for novel solutions
- STB affects over
70% of wheat fungicide applications in Europe, indicating substantial market opportunity - The AI-driven discovery process, utilizing multiple proprietary tools, demonstrates a more efficient path to identifying effective compounds
The validation of both the target protein and initial compounds through laboratory and greenhouse trials significantly de-risks the early development phase. However, investors should note that considerable development work remains, including compound optimization, extensive field trials, and regulatory approvals - a process that typically spans 5-7 years.
While early-stage, this discovery positions EVGN's subsidiary advantageously in the crop protection market. The company's AI-driven approach potentially reduces both development time and costs compared to traditional discovery methods. The market opportunity extends beyond Europe, as wheat is a global staple crop, and STB affects production worldwide.
The development of resistance to existing fungicides has been accelerating, creating a significant market gap for novel solutions. A new MoA would provide farmers with an essential tool for resistance management, potentially commanding premium pricing in a market increasingly constrained by regulatory restrictions on older chemistries.
Initial fungicidally active compounds already discovered
REHOVOT,
Zymoseptoria tritici causes widespread STB, a main cause of global crop loss in wheat production. In
AgPlenus initially launched its Zymoseptoria program utilizing the advanced TargetSelector™ tool to identify target proteins that are essential for the fungus' vitality. Subsequently, the company employed the PointHit™ tool to discover chemical molecules that inhibit these target proteins. The platform predicted a set of relevant molecules that were rigorously tested in two controlled environments: laboratory and greenhouse trials. Results from the greenhouse trials demonstrated the efficacy of these molecules in managing Zymoseptoria.
With these encouraging preliminary results, the program is now moving into its next phase, which involves further optimization of the discovered molecules using the ActiveSearch™ tool. The aim is to enhance their performance and explore potential collaborations and further development to potentially generate a novel effective fungicide.
"I am encouraged by the results obtained by utilizing the various tools in ChemPass AI for Ag in our Zymoseptoria program and the progress the program has made," said Dr. Dan Gelvan, CEO of AgPlenus. "With increasing fungicide resistance posing challenges to wheat yields worldwide, the identification of these novel targets is timely."
The validation of this new MoA protein target, combined with the identification of fungicidally effective compounds active through the new MoA, strengthens AgPlenus' position at the forefront of developing novel crop-protection solutions. This advancement aligns with the company's mission to provide innovative, sustainable solutions for crop protection.
About AgPlenus Ltd.
AgPlenus is a platform company designing effective and sustainable crop protection products. At AgPlenus, we are solving pesticide resistance by infusing the discovery process with predictive biology and artificial intelligence. AgPlenus leverages the ChemPass AI tech-engine, licensed from Evogene, to discover and bring to market effective and sustainable crop protection products. Our target-based approach allows us to reduce risk and increase efficiency, so that we can deliver on our promise to defeat global pesticide resistance. AgPlenus has ongoing collaborations with industry leaders such as Corteva. AgPlenus is a subsidiary of Evogene Ltd.
For more information, please visit www.agplenus.com
About Evogene Ltd.:
Evogene (Nasdaq: EVGN, TASE: EVGN) is a computational biology company aiming to revolutionize the development of life-science based products by utilizing cutting edge technologies to increase the probability of success while reducing development time and cost. Evogene established three unique tech-engines - MicroBoost AI, ChemPass AI and GeneRator AI – leveraging Big Data and Artificial Intelligence and incorporating deep multidisciplinary understanding in life sciences. Each tech-engine is focused on the discovery and development of products based on one of the following core components: microbes (MicroBoost AI), small molecules (ChemPass AI), and genetic elements (GeneRator AI).
Evogene uses its tech-engines to develop products through subsidiaries and strategic partnerships. Evogene's subsidiaries currently utilize the tech-engines to develop human microbiome-based therapeutics by Biomica, ag-biologicals by Lavie Bio, ag-chemicals by AgPlenus, and castor varieties, for the biofuel and other industries, by Casterra.
For more information, please visit: www.evogene.com.
Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" relating to future events. These statements may be identified by words such as "may", "could", "expects", "hopes" "intends", "anticipates", "plans", "believes", "scheduled", "estimates", "demonstrates" or words of similar meaning. For example, Evogene and its subsidiaries are using forward-looking statement in this press release when it discusses the optimization of the discovered molecules and further development to generate a novel effective fungicide, Ag Plenus success in the development of novel crop-protection solutions. Such statements are based on current expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions, describe opinions about future events, involve certain risks and uncertainties which are difficult to predict and are not guarantees of future performance. Therefore, actual future results, performance or achievements of Evogene and its subsidiaries may differ materially from what is expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements due to a variety of factors, many of which are beyond the control of Evogene and its subsidiaries, including, without limitation, the current war between
[1] TRESEARCH| SUMMER 2019| VOLUME 14: NUMBER 2
Contact:
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FAQ
What is the market size for Zymoseptoria tritici fungicides in Europe that EVGN is targeting?
What technology tools did AgPlenus use to discover the new fungicide compounds for EVGN?
What testing stages has EVGN's new fungicide completed?
What is the next development phase for EVGN's fungicide program?
