Foresight Science & Technology, Inc. (Foresight) has received a Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture to further develop a control method for imported fire ants using novel bioactive peptides. The successful USDA Phase I research demonstrated the effectiveness of USDA patented peptides in laboratory experiments. In Phase II, a bait formulation with the peptides as the active ingredient will undergo field tests and further refinement of the bait formulation. The ultimate objective of this research is to develop an effective, environmentally neutral bait formulation for bait stations, primarily for household and small garden applications.
The peptides are covered in US Patent 9,771,393 B2. Bioactive Peptides Having Insecticide Activity, Choi and Vander Meer, issued Sep. 26, 2017; US Patent 10,017,538. Bioactive Peptides Having Insecticide Activity, Choi and Vander Meer, issued Jul. 10, 2018; and PCT WO 2016/0262388 A1 and WO 2018/0086790 A1. The research will be performed under a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) between Foresight and the USDA, Agricultural Research Service.
For further information, please contact Daniel Satinsky, Daniel.satinsky@foresightst.com.