TICKING BOXES FLAVOCIDE™ MODE OF ACTION STUDIES CONFIRM...

TICKING BOXES

FLAVOCIDE™ MODE OF ACTION STUDIES CONFIRM DEFINITIVE TARGET SITE
OF ACTIVITY

• New studies confirm a definitive target site of FlavocideTM in insect cells
• Successful study outcome represents key milestone identified at last Annual General Meeting
• Builds on previous research which positively identified Flavocide’s novel mode of action
• Data generated will facilitate increased industry engagement and support submission for a new classification of insecticide
• Results will inform best applications for use of Flavocide for more effective insect control and resistance management, including options for use in multiple compound combinations
• Offers potential for additional Intellectual Property from novel applications for Flavocide, including the development of second-generation compounds.

Bio-Gene Technology Limited (ASX:BGT, ‘Bio-Gene’ or ‘the Company’, an agtech development company enabling the next generation of novel insecticides, is pleased to announce the successful completion of additional mode of action (“MoA” studies which confirm a definitive target site of Flavocide in insects. These results represent a key milestone in the development of Bio-Gene’s proprietary insecticide technology.



Previous studies demonstrated that Flavocide has a MoA quite different to other known insecticide classes, with activity located within a region of the insect not targeted by other chemistry. These results were supported by testing on populations of pests resistant to other classes of chemistry, where Bio-Gene’s technology was shown to control those pests. This provided Bio-Gene with a candidate target site within insects with which to conduct these more definitive studies.



This latest series of studies – undertaken by the specialist contract research company Pacific Discovery Services - sought to identify a definitive target site using more advanced and directed methodology. This testing resulted in a response to Flavocide that was identical to that found in previous studies but was more clearly expressed, therefore confirming this as a definitive target site of Flavocide.



Categorically identifying the site of the unique MoA for Flavocide and QcideTM will enable increased engagement with both industry experts and commercial companies who are looking to find new chemistry to develop effective commercial products.



These results also provide critical information that will be important in creating validation data which will ultimately enable Bio-Gene to apply for a “new class of chemistry” with IRAC (Insecticide Resistance Action Committee), a specialist technical group of the global industry association CropLife. A unique classification means Flavocide, and other beta-triketone-based insecticides such as Bio-Gene’s Qcide, would be incorporated into current and future Resistance Management Programs developed by the industry for specific pest/crop situations.



Identification of a definitive molecular target of Flavocide will also enable Bio-Gene to better identify optimal insecticide compounds to test in combination with Flavocide and to support the further development of second-generation compounds based on beta-triketone chemistry.



Commenting on these latest results, Richard Jagger, CEO of Bio-Gene said: “These are extremely important and exciting results and effectively remove any ambiguity about how Flavocide works to control target pest. As highlighted in our AGM address, this is a significant milestone study, demonstrating further value in our technology.

David Spanswick, Professor of Molecular Neurosciences, Warwick University and Professor of Neuroscience, Monash University and Chief Scientific Officer of Pacific Discovery Services who performed the testing noted: “Studies undertaken by Pacific Discovery Services have demonstrated Flavocide has a unique MoA, that differs from other available insecticides. Having worked on identifying and developing new molecules for over 30 years, I can say that it is rare to find an effective compound that functions through a novel mechanism of action. This is an exciting development that offers a new class of insecticides for use in a range of applications and most importantly the potential to address the problems faced by existing products when it comes to insecticide resistance.”



IRAC have identified only 32 groupings of chemistry showing unique MoAs, most of which have now been impacted significantly by resistance or concerns over their toxicity profile. The last grouping to offer significant disruptive technology was Group 28 Diamides, introduced to the market in 2008.



While a submission to IRAC regarding classification is not expected until closer to registration, the Company will share results on MoA testing with companies already reviewing Bio-Gene’s technology to provide guidance in testing and product development as they look for novel ways to address resistance management in insect control.