Simbiose introduces Frontier Control (Bacillus subtilis), a bio-fungicide against soybean and corn diseases

Simbiose(Brazil) has announced the launch of Frontier Control, a microbiocide in SC recommended for ground application. According to Simbiose, the biologics are recommended for all crops where Pantoea ananatis and Septoria glycines are present.

The product was developed in collaboration with UEL and is the result of a collaboration between the Labim, CCB and Aintec. The collaboration agreement began in 2017, and testing results since then have shown that Frontier Control is effective in controlling diseases that primarily affect soybeans and corn.

Edson Antonio Miura, Aintec’s Director, said that, on average, research takes at least two years, plus a period of preparation to start production. Given their experience with the pandemic, they are happy that this phase is over. 

The collaboration agreement between UEL and Simbiose stipulates that royalty income from intellectual property rights will begin in the second half of 2024, one year after the first products are commercialized.

Artur Soares, Director of Research and Development at Simbiose, said: "Good partnerships are the secret to success. We combine all the knowledge of our researchers with our expertise in the industry and the market. The partnership with UEL is a milestone for the company and the outcome will be very positive for both parties."

Professor Admilton Goncalves de Oliveira, Director of Labim, said that the collaboration with Simbiose dates back to the establishment of the Microbial Biotechnology Laboratory, which was created to enhance applied research. Focusing on microorganisms used in agriculture, the lab research team published proposals that integrated different techniques to obtain highly promising isolates. The Bacillus subtilis strain LABIM40 was selected from these isolates to be used as a biocide for the collaboration between UEL and Simbiose. The abbreviation LABIM40 corresponds to the 40th position in the Labim Laboratory Microbiome Library. The name Bacillus velezensis derives from the fact that it was originally isolated from the Velez River in Malaga, Spain.