1. Developing Biopesticides from a Researcher’s Perspective
Susan M. Boyetchko
Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada,
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada

2. Reasons for Researchers to study biopesticides
Scientific curiosity/academic exercise – increase knowledge
Investigate various pest-biological control-host interactions
Study the nature (mechanism) of the biological control
Develop a biological (biopesticide) product
Screen for potential agents
Investigate platform technologies (fermentation, formulation, application technology)
Advance the study of biopesticides for a commercial product

3. Biopesticide Product Development – Strategy
Platform technologies: fermentation, formulation, spray application
Formulation
Biocontrol Agent
(selection & improvement, mode of action)
Application
Technology
Fermentation
Validation of
Technology
Field Trials

4. A Solution for Delivery of Biopesticides
Biopesticide Innovation Chain – The Research & Development Model
target pest:
select appropriate target pest with large market potential and economic impact
understand pest population dynamics and ecology, epidemiology, epizoology
biopesticide:
develop strategic screening program against target pest (no ad-hoc screening)
focus on developing platform technologies (fermentation, formulation, application technology)
build in Go vs. No-Go decision points
establish industry and research partnerships
create smooth transition through various stages of innovation chain

5. Biopesticide Optimization Technology / Scale-Up
Deliverables
Biopesticides – Science Innovation Chain Research & Development Model
Stage gates
large-scale field tests; product formulation
fermentation, formulation, stability
manufacturing, process engineering
scientific knowledge
greenhouse, field efficacy
markets & uses
license agreements
biopesticide product
product sales; client adoption
Discovery and BCA selection
Technology development
Technology transfer
Commercial scale-up
Technology adoption
Proof of concept
Market identification
Application development
Registration
Bioprospecting
Biopesticide Optimization
Technology / Scale-Up
Biological & Environmental Fate

6. Selection of target pest
Based on economics/crop loss figures
Niche market needs, with wide geographical use (local, regional, national, global)
Single target pest vs. broad spectrum – to increase markets
Controls pest at population level (heterogeneous)
Different market uses (e.g. agriculture, forestry, recreational, urban municipalities)
Target selection based on pest surveys, pest-management issues/opportunities (e.g.pesticide-resistance, organic production, invasive species)
Economics plays a role (i.e. market potential for investment in R&D and commercialization by industry partner)

7. Different levels of screening
test biopesticide candidate(s) on heterogenous populations(s) rather than a single population
use of mass through-put screening system
establish standard operating procedure(s)
microbial culture collections (bacterial, fungal) established by various AAFC scientists

8. Platform technology
develop different types of fermentation and formulation know-how (does one size fit all?)
based on nature of biopesticide candidate and delivery (bacteria vs. fungi; liquid vs. solid; soil vs. foliar)
re-invent technology? or select from existing database of knowledge from in-house expertise
share the technology and vision
select best fit model; modify and/or refine technology that accommodates the biopesticide candidate

9. Partnerships & Collaborations
Other AAFC studies
Universities
Other federal organizations
PMRA, US-EPA, CFIA, NSERC
Pest Management Centre (PMC)
Provincial organizations
Private Industry (national, international)
Grower groups
Internationally

10. Scientists’ research program/expertise
Deliverables
How we establish partnerships
Scientists’ research program/expertise
When to approach? At what stage?
Who initiates?
Stage gates
large-scale field tests; product formulation
fermentation, formulation, stability
manufacturing, process engineering
scientific knowledge
greenhouse, field efficacy
markets & uses
license agreements
biopesticide product
product sales; client adoption
Discovery and BCA selection
Technology development
Technology transfer
Commercial scale-up
Technology adoption
Proof of concept
Market identification
Application development
Registration
Bioprospecting
AAFC or industry
Industry/AAFC IP
Industry - Generation
of efficacy data
Industry registers
AAFC technology

11. How we establish partnerships (cont’d)
Office of Intellectual Property and Commercialization (OIPC)
Confidentiality agreement
Materials Transfer Agreement
Collaborative Research and Development Agreement
Science and Technology Branch (STB) review
Proposal review committee
In line with Departmental Mandate and Science Priorities
Builds on Synergies (benefits to AAFC, universities, industry, society as a whole)

12. Role of Pest Management Centre (PMC)
PMC part of AAFC
Research/technology does not originate with PMC; will provide some funding to generate data for registration
Review of projects via Canadian biopesticides and minor use pesticides priority setting workshop
Input from provinces/stakeholders in priority setting
Pesticide Risk Reduction Program: supports large-scale demonstrations of new technologies; funds projects which implement solutions identified in the strategies
Provides regulatory advice to facilitate tech transfer of biopesticides to industry

13. Partnerships & Collaborations
Other AAFC national studies
Universities
Other federal organizations
PMRA, US EPA, CFIA, NSERC
Pest Management Centre
Provincial organizations
Private Industry (national, international)
Grower groups
Internationally

14. The Research Strategy
AAFC researchers have developed an R&D blueprint for delivery of new biopesticide products, from discovery, development of platform technologies, to industry development for commercialization and adoption.
Maintain “corporate” knowledge of the technology
Research in pre-commercialization stages is progressing.
We are developing platform technologies; need to develop more commercial prototypes.

15. Strategy – cont’d
We need to foster a strong research environment (BPIA), establish science technology clusters, and create education and communication programs to strengthen the adoption of biopesticides in Canada.
We are building our international collaborations and investigating various funding opportunities.