Micropep Utilizes Minuscule Proteins to Enhance Pesticide Safety

Contending with pests is a major challenge for farmers, and the reliance on chemical pesticides is a concern for many. Thomas Laurent and his company, Micropep, believe the solution may lie within the plants themselves.

At Micropep, the focus is on utilizing micropeptides, naturally present compounds, as a groundbreaking pesticide alternative. This innovative approach could potentially offer more efficient and less harmful pest control compared to conventional synthetic pesticides.

Micropeptides are tiny proteins made up of no more than 100 amino acids. Previously overlooked by scientists who doubted their significance due to their small size, these proteins have since been shown to play crucial roles in organ development, cell communication, and regulatory functions within the cell, such as turning various cellular activities on or off.

Micropep’s initial strategy somewhat mirrors antibiotic action, by targeting specific fungi that attack soybean plants. The product is applied directly onto the plant’s leaves, poised to destroy fungal cells upon contact by compromising their cellular walls, leading to their elimination.

Achieving success with micropeptides could significantly impact global agriculture, which is linked to roughly a quarter of the planet’s greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, pests account for a 20–30% loss in major crop yields. Factors like climate change could exacerbate these losses, highlighting the urgency for more efficient and sustainable pest management solutions.

However, Micropep’s journey toward commercial availability faces hurdles. Micropeptides are rapidly broken down by soil enzymes, posing a challenge for their longevity in outdoor environments. To overcome this, the company has been developing strategies to enhance the durability of its micropeptides, starting with formulations designed for treatment of foliage rather than soil, as stated by Laurent.

In pursuit of more resilient micropeptides, Micropep has initiated a series of predictive models to assess the behavior of potential candidates, aiming to screen thousands in laboratory settings. The most promising selections will advance to greenhouse and, eventually, field trials.

Laurent outlined that regulatory hurdles in key markets like the U.S., Brazil, and Europe are currently being navigated, with the goal of having Micropep’s innovations under regulatory review by 2026, and available in the U.S. and Brazil by 2028, followed by Europe by 2030.

Looking ahead, Micropep aims to enhance plants’ inherent defenses against various threats, fine-tuning the deployment of these natural protections without overburdening the plant’s resources.

To achieve wide market penetration, Micropep is looking to form partnerships, leveraging the capabilities of other companies to incorporate their micropeptide technology into a range of agricultural products, recognizing the diverse and competitive nature of the agricultural sector.

Micropep has successfully secured $29 million in Series B financing, orchestrated by Zebra Impact Investors and BPI Green Tech Investments, with contributions from previous investors such as Fall Line Capital, FMC Ventures, and Sofinnova Partners. According to Laurent, this funding will fuel the company’s market entry strategies.