Flavocide™
Flavocide™ is a nature-identical beta-triketone molecule produced synthetically by a chemical process. It is covered by Bio-Gene patents for use as an insecticide and has demonstrated significant activity against a range of insect pests.
As part of a series of collaborative projects, Bio-Gene has successfully advanced the production of Flavocide. Building upon the original synthesis work undertaken by CSIRO Advanced Manufacturing, the expertise and involvement of Advanced Molecular Technologies (AMT) in Melbourne and Aragen (India) has been crucial in developing key aspects of the synthesis process. This work was essential in establishing the method that led to the successful pilot-scale manufacture of Flavocide by Rallis (India). These key research collaborations have resulted in a manufacturing process that significantly increases production yield compared to alternative methods. Bio-Gene will continue to seek incremental process improvements as part of the scale-up to commercial manufacture of Flavocide. Flavocide has been initially formulated as an emulsion in water (EW), for use in a range of agricultural and public health applications. Bio-Gene is also undertaking formulation development programs to further optimise the delivery of Flavocide to improve pest efficacy in each of the markets being targeted.
Unique Mode of Action
Studies undertaken on Flavocide by a world leading research organisation (Pacific Discovery Services) has revealed Flavocide operates via a novel mode of action (MoA).
Insecticides are classified by the Insecticide Resistance Action Committee (‘IRAC’) under their Mode of Action – which is the way an insecticide works to control the pest. Our extensive testing clearly demonstrates that Flavocide has a significantly different MoA from any other class of chemistry used or classified by IRAC. The last significant MoA class which was introduced was Diamides in 2008.
Development of insecticides with new MoA’s are of extreme importance in addressing the exponentially increasing problem of insecticide resistance to existing classes of insecticides. Insecticide resistance is a major problem impacting a number of agricultural and public health markets. In particular, the development of resistance to pyrethroids by major mosquito pests is a significant problem in vector-borne disease control programs around the world.
“Studies undertaken by Pacific Discovery Services have demonstrated Flavocide has a unique mode of action, that differs from other available insecticides. A unique mode of action creates the potential to address the ongoing issue of insecticide resistance and control a variety of pest species resistant to currently available chemical entities”
Professor David Spanswick
Professor of Molecular Neurosciences, Warwick University & Neuroscience, Monash University Chief Scientific Officer and Co-Founder of Neurosolutions and Pacific Discovery Services
Efficacy Testing
Testing of Flavocide has been undertaken and continues to be performed by both government research laboratories as well as by commercial collaborators. These organisations include significant multi-national companies involved in insect control products in a number of important market segments.
Current programs include testing against pests of significant public health importance, agricultural field crops and grain storage protection, and ectoparasite control in animal health.
exponentially increasing problem of insecticide resistance to the existing classes of insecticides. Insecticide resistance is a major problem impacting a number of agricultural and public health markets. In particular, the development of resistance to pyrethroids by major mosquito pests is a significant problem in vector-borne disease control programs around the world.
Testing of Flavocide has been undertaken by both government research laboratories as well as by commercial collaborators, including significant multi-national companies involved in insect control products in a number of important market segments. Current programs include testing against pests of agricultural field crops, ectoparasite control in animal health, and control of public health pests.