BASF collaborates with Evolva to develop compounds applied to protect crops

BASF SE, Ludwigshafen (Germany) and Evolva Holding SA, Reinach (Switzerland) today announced that they have signed an agreement for joint research on the design of novel and optimised biosynthesis routes for selected natural products with crop protection potential. “The collaboration with Evolva underlines BASF’s approach to employ cutting edge biotechnology for the development of new specialty products,” said Harald Lauke, President of the Specialty Chemicals Research at BASF.
 
The collaboration will initially cover two projects. BASF will pay Evolva an up-front technology access fee and ongoing research fees. BASF will have responsibility to take forward compounds produced during the collaboration and will potentially pay Evolva research and development milestone fees as well as royalties on products that result from the collaboration. This is Evolva’s first collaboration in which its technology is applied to the agricultural sector.
 
Neil Goldsmith, CEO & Managing Director of Evolva, said: “We’re very pleased to be working with BASF. This collaboration provides further validation of the ability of our technology platform to impact multiple industries. This also adds to Evolva’s goal to improving food quality and helps advance the health and nutrition of individuals.”