Enko Chem Uses AI Platform to Identify New Fungicide and Insecticide Modes of Action
13 October 2026, Mystic, Connecticut: Enko Chem has used its ENKOMPASS artificial intelligence (AI) platform to identify new modes of action for fungicides and insecticides, expanding the technology’s application across all three major crop protection categories.
According to the company, ENKOMPASS can identify new modes of action and lead molecules up to 75% faster and at 90% lower cost than traditional research and development approaches.
The newly identified fungicide targets focus on biochemical pathways essential for the survival of plant-pathogenic fungi but absent in animals. This approach allows Enko to incorporate selectivity and safety considerations at the early stages of product discovery.
For insecticides, the platform has identified targets that operate outside the insect nervous system, potentially providing alternatives to existing chemistries that act on this widely used target site.
The discoveries address several challenges facing crop protection, including the growing incidence of pest and disease resistance, the need to develop alternatives to older chemistries, and climate-driven changes in pest and pathogen distribution and behaviour.
By applying AI to target identification and lead molecule discovery, Enko aims to accelerate the development of new crop protection solutions and expand the range of options available to growers.
The company’s approach highlights the growing role of AI-driven discovery in agricultural research, particularly as the crop protection industry seeks new modes of action to support resistance management and maintain the effectiveness of crop protection products.
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