Eden granted 'nematodes' patent in Australia

UK agrochemical development firm Eden Research has been granted its first 'nematodes' patent in Australia.

The patent, which is for the use of Eden's platform encapsulation technology with terpenes as a nematicide, is also in an advanced state of registration in a number of other countries.

The patented encapsulation system itself has already been granted in a number of territories.

Nematodes are microscopic, soil-dwelling worms measuring approximately 0.1-5 mm in length.

Nematode populations can cause considerable damage to a wide range of high-value vegetable crops and horticultural species.

Eden has already licensed its nematicide product in South America to Stockton Agrimor AG and granted an option for the product to Certis Europe BV to enter into an exclusive licence for Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Oceania.

MD Clive Newitt said, "The nematode market has been as high as $1.1bn worldwide but due to regulatory withdrawal of many previous products, such as Temik (aldicarb), there is a vacuum waiting to be filled by naturally derived, effective, cost competitive products such as Eden's.

"The granting of this patent is important not only for the nematode licences that we have signed to date, but, also for reinforcing the value of the company's intellectual property."