Futureco Bioscience obtains European patent for a new biopesticide

Futureco Bioscience obtains, as officially communicated in the Bulletin 20121/16 of the European Patent Office, the European Patent No EP3607048, with the title "A strain of Pseudomonas putida and its use in the control of diseases caused by bacteria and fungi in plants".

The subject of this patent is the production and commercial use of Pseudomonas putida strain B2017. This strain has been evaluated in different vegetable crops (tomato, lettuce, cucumber, courgette, potato) as well as in vineyards and fruit trees. Pseudomonas putida B2017 has shown great potential for the control of a broad spectrum of agricultural diseases including fungi causing powdery mildew (Oidium neolycopersici, Glovomyces chicharacearum, Leveillula taurica, Erisiphe necator), downy mildew (Bremia lactucae, Phytophthora infestans, Plasmopara vitícola), rots (Fusarium oxysporium), sclerotinia, pox (Rhizoctonia solani), and bacterial diseases such as Pseudomonas syringae, Pectobacterium and Xanthomonas. 

"We are always excited to discover and characterize strains with such high biocontrol potential" says Carolina Fernandez, Research and Development Director at Futureco Bioscience, "The efficacy of strain B2017 is very consistent, and I am convinced that our formulations will soon be a very valuable tool for any farmer who wants to apply biological control strategies".

Scientist from Futureco Bioscience laboratories, preparing the inoculum of Pseudomonas putida B2017 for the bioreactor.

The concession of the patent comes after the last March 2021 Futureco Bioscience submitted to the German authorities (Rapporteur Member State - RMS) the dossier to apply for the authorization of this microorganism as a new active phytosanitary substance in accordance with the provisions of European regulation 1107/2009. Once the review of the authorities of all EU member states, the Commission and the European Food Safety Agency will be completed, formulations based on this microorganism will be eligible for registration in any country of the European Union. The first formulation, codified as B2017 OD, is now in trials in Spain, Italy, France, among other countries, showing exceptional results.  

"The granting of this patent reinforce the alignment of Futureco Bioscience's mission and vision with the needs expressed by stakeholders. Farmers, consumers and legislators are willing to promote a more sustainable agriculture, put in practice programs like the European "Farm to Fork" strategy, and to align with ONU Sustainable Development Goals and the global transition to sustainable agri-food systems” says Jose Manuel Lara, Technical Director of Futureco Bioscience. 

This is a very important milestone for Futureco Bioscience, fruit of its recognized investment in R&D and its historical commitment to regenerative agriculture. Once on the market, it will be a valuable tool for rational disease control in crops, which will surely help farmers to reduce the "chemical load" that so negatively impacts the environment.

Scientist at Futureco Bioscience laboratories, sampling to analyze the viability of the strain during the process.