Foresight Science & Technology, Inc. (Foresight) has received a Phase I Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture to develop a control method for imported fire ants using novel bioactive peptides. The ultimate objective of this research is to develop an effective, environmentally neutral bait formulation for bait stations, targeted 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) with the USDA, Agricultural Research Service.
Learn more about the project here or contact us for information about partnering to commercialize this technology.