Novel actives for insect and nematode control

Overview

• Opportunity for licensing agreements for promising pesticidal compounds
• BASF will evaluate selected materials at their expense (requires material transfer agreement)
• Seeking technologies at TRL levels 3-4
• Focus on both biological and chemical solutions to combat evolving pest threats

Priority Areas

• Lepidopteran insects: armyworms, diamondback moths, and bollworms
• Coleopteran insects: beetles, rootworms, and weevils
• Hemipteran insects: stink bugs, planthoppers, leafhoppers, and thrips
• Plant-parasitic nematodes: root-knot nematodes (RKN), root lesion nematodes (RLN), and soybean cyst nematodes (SCN)

Eligibility & Requirements

• Shows preliminary evidence of pesticidal activity against target pest(s)
• Suitable for either in-plant expression or crop protection applications (foliar, soil, or seed treatment)
• Demonstrates novelty through difference in sequence or structure relative to known compounds
• Preferred: Activity against resistant populations of target pests
• Preferred: Data suggesting a new site of action or mode of action
• Preferred: Data indicating low or limited toxicity to beneficial organisms

Out of Scope

• Actives derived from vertebrate sources
• Metabolic engineering of model or crop plants to produce metabolites with pesticidal activity
• Genetically-engineered or gene-edited insects for use in biological or genetic control strategies

How to Submit:

• Submit questions about this request directly to BASF through the Q&A section
• Finalists may be asked to sign a material transfer agreement
• Selected candidates will ship actives for internal evaluation at BASF's expense

Please note: Full RFP is attached in the "More Information" section of this page. Faculty and researchers interested in applying for these opportunities based on technologies developed or disclosed at Vanderbilt must submit their proposals through the CTTC.