Syngenta Secures Exclusive Rights to Commercialize PHYTALIX Biofungicide in Southeast Asia
04 June 2026, Switzerland: Syngenta and Ascribe Bioscience have signed a development and supply agreement for PHYTALIX®, a biofungicide designed to enhance crop resistance against fungal, bacterial, and viral diseases.
Under the agreement, Syngenta will receive exclusive commercial rights to market PHYTALIX® for rice and other major crops in Southeast Asia, with the possibility of expanding into additional regions in the future.
The partnership follows four years of product evaluation by Syngenta. According to the companies, field trials demonstrated the biofungicide’s effectiveness in integrated pest management (IPM) programs, including the management of Bacterial Leaf Blight in rice, while supporting yield performance.
PHYTALIX® is based on research conducted at the Boyce Thompson Institute at Cornell University. The technology is designed to activate natural plant defense mechanisms, helping crops such as rice, soybean, maize, and wheat improve resistance to a broad range of pathogens throughout the growing season.
The companies said the product is intended to provide growers with an additional disease-management tool that can be used alongside conventional crop protection products and biological solutions. The agreement comes as rice producers face increasing disease pressure, climate-related challenges, and resistance issues that can affect productivity.
According to Ascribe Bioscience, PHYTALIX® offers a novel mode of action, low application rates, and stability under field conditions, making it suitable for managing complex diseases, including Bacterial Leaf Blight in rice.
“Partnering with other innovators in the industry is crucial to accelerate the delivery of biological solutions to the farmers who need them most,” said Emilhano Lima, Global Head of Seedcare and Biologicals at Syngenta.
Jay Farmer, Co-founder and CEO of Ascribe Bioscience, said the collaboration will help bring the technology to farmers seeking additional options for disease management and supports the broader commercialization of PHYTALIX®.
The two companies will now advance regulatory approvals and market development activities across the covered Asian markets. The first commercial launches of PHYTALIX® in Asia are planned for 2029.
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