Summary: Ascribe Bio and Corteva have entered a strategic R&D collaboration to adapt Ascribe’s novel ascaroside technology for seed treatments. By expanding the use of Ascribe’s Phytalix® biofungicide from foliar to seed applications, the partners aim to protect germinating crops from early-season soil-borne pathogens and tap into an $11 billion global seed treatment market.
Ascribe Bio and Corteva Announce Strategic Collaboration for 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.
Phytalix is based on natural small molecules known as ascarosides, which 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 and better withstand early-season stress pressure.
- Ascribe’s Role: Leading core R&D work, including laboratory studies and early-stage field trials.
- Corteva’s Role: Contributing formulation expertise, seed treatment capabilities, and extensive agronomic testing across key global growing regions.
- The Opportunity: Targeting a global seed treatment market expected to reach USD 11.62 billion by 2030, driven by demand for sustainable yield protection.
“Our research now shows that the same non-toxic mode of action can also benefit crops when applied as a seed treatment,” said Jay Farmer, CEO of Ascribe Bio. “This collaboration will allow us to develop that potential at scale with a global leader in seeds and seed care.”
Tom Greene, Senior Director for Corteva Catalyst, added: “Seed treatments are a critical first step in protecting the crop. Our collaboration with Ascribe offers opportunities to explore how a new biological mode of action could fit into integrated seed protection programs that are both effective and sustainable.”
About Ascribe
Founded in 2017 based on research from the Boyce Thompson Institute at Cornell University, Ascribe develops natural crop protection solutions. Its flagship biofungicide, Phytalix®, harnesses small molecules from the soil microbiome to create environmentally friendly disease control solutions.
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