Biotalys Trials New Low-Dose Biofungicide for Crop Protection

Biotalys, a biotechnology firm specializing in sustainable crop protection, has released early-stage field trial data highlighting the efficacy of its next-generation biocontrol program. The lead candidate, BioFun-6, demonstrated significant control of major fungal diseases—Botrytis and powdery mildew—while requiring substantially lower application rates compared to the company’s first-generation product, EVOCA.

Independent research organizations conducted trials across multiple locations in the United States and Europe. The BioFun-6 candidate was evaluated both within standard spray rotation programs and as a standalone treatment. In grape trials, BioFun-6 matched the performance of chemical fungicides when applied at two-thirds the dose rate of EVOCA. For powdery mildew in cucumber, it achieved strong disease suppression at half the dose and exceeded the performance of a commonly used biological control.

Addressing Key Challenges in Modern Crop Protection

The development of BioFun-6 comes at a time when growers face mounting challenges in crop protection—from increased regulatory pressure to the limited effectiveness of conventional biologicals. Biotalys' protein-based biocontrol offers potential solutions to several critical industry pain points:

• Reducing Chemical Dependence: As regulatory restrictions tighten on traditional fungicides, BioFun-6 offers a lower-risk alternative that delivers comparable efficacy while reducing the environmental and health impacts associated with synthetic products.
• Minimizing Residue Levels: Many markets now demand lower pesticide residues on produce. BioFun-6 has shown strong performance at significantly reduced dose rates, helping growers meet stricter residue limits without sacrificing disease control.
• Enhancing Biological Performance: Existing biological fungicides often fall short under commercial conditions. In field trials, BioFun-6 outperformed a standard biological treatment and held its own against leading chemical controls, indicating improved consistency and broader market potential.
• Supporting Resistance Management: Fungicide resistance continues to challenge growers worldwide. With a novel mode of action based on the proprietary AGROBODY platform, BioFun-6 offers a valuable tool for integrated disease management and sustainable rotation planning.
• Aligning with Sustainability Goals: The agricultural sector is under pressure to reduce its environmental footprint. BioFun-6 supports sustainable production systems by lowering chemical input requirements and enabling safer, science-based crop protection solutions.

By addressing these challenges, Biotalys positions BioFun-6 as a next-generation option for growers seeking reliable, scalable, and compliant disease control strategies across multiple crops and regions.

Advancing Scalable, Sustainable AgTech Solutions

CEO Kevin Helash noted that the results validate Biotalys’ AGROBODY technology platform and its ability to deliver protein-based products that maintain efficacy while reducing input levels. The company sees this as a key step toward developing scalable, cost-efficient alternatives to conventional chemical fungicides.

Looking ahead, Biotalys will continue field evaluations of multiple BioFun-6 lead candidates throughout 2025. These trials will run in parallel with assessments focused on manufacturability and formulation scalability. This dual-track development approach supports the company’s long-term strategy of commercializing safe, effective crop protection products compatible with evolving regulatory and environmental standards.