Summary: Ascribe Bio and Corteva have announced a multi-year, strategic research and development collaboration to advance novel biofungicide technology for seed treatments. By adapting Ascribe’s Phytalix® ascaroside technology—currently used for foliar applications—the partners aim to protect germinating seeds from early-season fungal diseases and tap into an $11 billion global seed treatment market.
Ascribe Bio and Corteva Collaborate to Advance Biofungicide Seed Treatments
ITHACA, N.Y. — March 2026
Ascribe Bio today announced a strategic research and development collaboration with Corteva aimed at advancing its novel biofungicide technology for seed treatment applications. The multi-year project will evaluate how Ascribe’s ascaroside technology, currently being commercialized in Phytalix® products for foliar applications, can help protect seedlings from early-season fungal diseases.
The global seed treatment market is expected to reach roughly USD 11 billion by 2030, reflecting strong demand for tools that protect yield and support sustainable farming practices. Seed-applied biofungicides represent a growing segment as farmers seek new, innovative options for targeted disease control.
“Ascribe’s recent work has focused on using Phytalix® in foliar crop protection products,” said Jay Farmer, CEO of Ascribe Bio. “Our research now shows that the same non-toxic mode of action can also benefit crops when applied as a seed treatment, and this collaboration will allow us to develop that potential at scale with a global leader in seeds and seed care”.
Phytalix is based on natural small molecules known as ascarosides, some of which can prime pathogen resistance pathways in plants. By applying these products directly to the seed, the partners aim to protect germinating seeds from soil-borne pathogens and help seedlings develop stronger roots to withstand early-season stress.
“Seed treatments are a critical first step in protecting the crop,” added Tom Greene, senior director and global lead for Corteva Catalyst. “Our collaboration with Ascribe offers additional opportunities to explore how a new biological mode of action could fit into integrated seed protection programs for farmers that are both effective and sustainable”.
Under the agreement, Ascribe will lead core R&D work, including lab studies and early field trials. Corteva will contribute formulation expertise, seed treatment capabilities, and agronomic testing across key growing regions.
About Ascribe
Ascribe is an Ithaca, NY-based agricultural technology company developing natural crop protection solutions. Founded in 2017 based on research from the Boyce Thompson Institute at Cornell University, Ascribe’s flagship biofungicide, Phytalix®, harnesses small molecules from the soil microbiome to create effective, environmentally friendly disease control solutions.
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