Date: Feb 11, 2014 Author: Al Jones Source: MLive (
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KALAMAZOO, MI -- Kalamazoo-based insecticide-development company Vestaron Corp. has taken what it considers to be a significant step toward bringing a breakthrough product to market.
The company, which was started by local researchers in 2005, announced that the active ingredient in its bioinsecticide has been approved for commercial sale in the United States by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
"This biopesticide is one of a vast number of similar compounds that exist in nature, from which we intend to source many new, unique insect-control products," John Sorenson, chief executive officer of Vestaron, said in a press release.
Vestaron is working to develop a new generation of environmentally safe insecticides from substances found in spider venom. Sorenson said he expects the insecticide to be in pre-commercial demonstration trials this year, with a full commercial launch in early 2015.
"For years, scientists have argued that the most effective way to manage the development of resistance in insect pests is to combine separate active ingredients into a single insecticide," Robert Kennedy, chief scientific officer of Vestaron, said in the release. "Our peptide uniquely provides novel and complex modes of action in one molecule — a real breakthrough."
The active ingredient that has been approved, is a naturally occurring peptide isolated from spiders. It has been approved for use on a variety of crops and has shown no toxicity to fish, birds or mammals, including humans, according to Vestaron.
"EPA registration marks a key milestone in bringing Vestaron's technology to the market, following the successful scaling of production and the development of an effective oral formulation," Sorenson said.
Vestaron is located in the Southwest Michigan Innovation Center on Western Michigan University's Business Technology and Research Park.
Contact business writer Al Jones may at ajones5@mlive.com. Follow me on Twitter at ajones5_al.
