From the Pherowine project to the Phero Pure® product
New ecological process for combating vine pests
THE ECOLOGICAL FIGHT AGAINST VINE PESTS
The PHEROWINE project, labeled by the Inno'vin regional cluster and validated by SATT Aquitaine Science Transfert during its Investment Committee in July 2015, concerns the development of an alternative process for the synthesis of three pheromones in a continuous flow, in order to fight against grape worms: Lobesia, Cochylis and Eudemis.
This project is part of the wine industry's objective of reducing inputs in the vineyard, through the use of biocontrol products.
THE ADVANTAGES OF CONTINUOUS FLOW CHEMISTRY
The three pheromones targeted in this project are already known and commercialized, making the contribution of continuous flow chemistry relevant for their synthesis. Continuous flow chemistry optimizes the synthesis of molecules, reducing their production costs and improving process safety.
INDUSTRIALIZATION OF THE PROCESS
The project is led by the Institute of Molecular Sciences (ISM – University of Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP) in partnership with an industrial company, the company M2I, the world's second largest producer of pheromones. M2I then has its own method of diffusing pheromones, based on a micro-encapsulation technique using organic biosourced surfactants.
A license was signed between M2i and SATT Aquitaine in December 2017: the industrialization of this method by the company M2I extends the use of pheromones, thanks to reduced production costs and easier use for winegrowers.
SATT THE FIRST PARTNER OF INNOVATIVE COMPANIES
Researcher: Mathieu Pucheault (Institute of Molecular Sciences)
Partner company: M2i
Applications / Target markets: viticulture
SATT maturation investment
€131k to develop an alternative purification route for pheromones specific to Lobesia.
Duration: January 2016 – May 2017 Intellectual
Property: 1 patent
M2I, COMMITTED TO PUBLIC RESEARCH.
In addition to maturation with the ISM laboratory of the University of Bordeaux, M2i has developed collaborations with the University of Pau and Pays de l’Adour:
“We worked for two years with the University of Pau and Pays de l’Adour on another collaborative project to research a new pheromone diffuser to fight against pests of vines and corn. »
Stephanie MAGNET
R&D Director of M2i Développement
M2i, through its subsidiary M2i Biocontrol, is a leader in the field of pheromones for biological crop protection.
“M2i Life Sciences, a pioneer with numerous awards”
Philippe GUERRET
Director of M2i Développement
- April 2018: two Montgolfier medals reward M2i Life Sciences in the Agriculture–Agrifood and Chemical Industry categories for its contribution to innovative agroecology helping to reduce the use of pesticides by promoting healthier and more sustainable agriculture.
- November 2017: M2i Life Sciences receives the prestigious Pierre Potier Prize (environmental chemistry) for its work, supported by a maturation program from SATT Aquitaine, on the design of a new innovative synthesis of the grape worm pheromone, principal pest of vines in Europe.