Transformative Nature-Based
Bio-fungicidal Technology for Agriculture
Fungal diseases cause up to 10-15% annual crop yield losses worldwide. While chemical fungicides have addressed this problem, they are toxic, expensive to develop, and are losing efficacy because of fungal resistance. Peptyde Bio answers the call by harnessing the richness of nature and the power of artificial intelligence to develop novel biofungicides that can complement or replace traditional chemical fungicides. Based on natural antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) derived from plants, these biofungicides are environmentally friendly, much less expensive to develop, and effective with novel modes of action against fungal disease.
About Peptyde Bio
Peptyde Bio is an Agtech startup, positioned to become the go-to source of novel AMPs. We collaborate through joint development and/or license agreements with our industry partners. Our leadership team has decades of experience managing Agtech startups and working at the forefront of plant science research. Peptyde Bio was launched by the Danforth Technology Company, a subsidiary of the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center that facilitates early-stage development of startup companies based on technologies developed by Danforth Center scientists.
Uptake of Peptyde Bio AMP by fungal pathogen cell (red – left image) leads to collapse and death of fungal pathogen cell (grayscale – right image) within 36 minutes of AMP treatment.
Our Technology
Discovery, design, and characterization of novel AMPs as biofungicides. Peptyde Bio’s robust technology platform helps our partners source novel AMPs quickly and cost effectively, driving the rapid commercialization of AMP-based biofungicides.
Discovery
We discover AMPs that plants produce naturally and use AI to discover new AMPs in silico.
Design
Using proprietary methodologies, we design and test novel AMPs through targeted modification.
Characterization
We determine the structure, efficacy, mode-of-action, safety profile, and manufacturability of the designed AMPs.
Proven Results
EXAMPLE 1:
AMP sprayed 24 hours post-infection with Botrytis cinerea provided significant control of gray mold disease in tomato.
Botrytis cinerea-infected tomatoes
Botrytis cinerera-infected tomatoes + AMP
EXAMPLE 2:
Mode of action studies - Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) of the fungus Botrytis cinerea comparing untreated (healthy) and AMP treated (cell disruption and death; 60 minutes post treatment).
Our Team
Thomas Laurita, PhD
Chief Executive Officer
Experienced entrepreneur and co-founder of NewLeaf Symbiotics
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Dilip Shah, PhD
Chief Science Officer
20+ years of research on AMPS with 28 relevant peer-reviewed publications
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Kirk J. Czymmek, PhD
Chief Technology Officer
Fungal/microbial cell biology and mode-of-action expertise
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Jeremy Mills, PhD
Scientific Consultant
Expert on developing computational protein design methods
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Peptyde Bio’s biofungicides derived from nature have the potential to become a game changer in combatting crop diseases. As the pressure to reduce the environmental footprint of agriculture intensifies, innovations such as AMPs hold the key to a more sustainable way of growing crops.”
Tom Laurita
CEO
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