Groundbreaking biocontrol solutions for a resilient agriculture

Project Information

VERANO

Grant agreement ID: 101166048

DOI

10.3030/101166048

EC signature date 9 June 2024

Start date 1 July 2024

End date 30 June 2028

Funded under

• The European Innovation Council (EIC)

Total cost

€ 5 597 993,75

EU contribution

€ 2 499 999,00

Coordinated by

PERTINENT ECO-SOLUTIONS
France

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - VERANO (Groundbreaking biocontrol solutions for a resilient agriculture)

Reporting period: 2024-07-01 to 2025-10-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Agriculture applies over 4 billion pounds of chemical pesticides every year, yet insect pests still destroy 10–20% of global crops. This challenge is worsening as insects develop resistance to common active substances and as climate change accelerates their reproduction and spread. At the same time, governments are progressively banning or restricting synthetic pesticides because of their toxicity, environmental persistence, and impact on biodiversity. Biocontrol alternatives exist, but most lack the potency, reliability, and versatility required to replace chemical pesticides at scale. Pertinent addresses this gap by developing innovative biocontrol solutions that combine the safety profile of biological products with the efficacy historically associated with conventional chemicals. The company has demonstrated strong technical performance and commercial traction in several initial markets. However, to fully enter mainstream crop protection, Pertinent must finalize specific formulations, validate them across climates and crops, and complete regulatory processes in major agricultural regions. The VERANO project was created to bridge this final development step. Its goal is to select the most effective formulations for targeted crops, verify their performance under field conditions, prepare and submit regulatory dossiers, and launch commercial-scale production. Ultimately, VERANO aims to bring to market a new generation of biocontrol products capable of providing highly effective pest management while reducing reliance on chemical pesticides. The expected outcomes include the launch of products across the EU, U.S. and selected international markets; the creation of more than a dozen new jobs; the generation of roughly €30 million in revenues and €11 million in EBITDA; and the avoidance of more than 20,000 tons of chemical pesticide use by 2030. By supporting the transition to sustainable, resilient agriculture, the project contributes directly to EU environmental objectives and to SDGs linked to food security, climate action, water quality, and biodiversity.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

During this reporting period, the project concentrated on the scientific and technical steps required to select and validate a final formulation for international markets. Activities included extensive field trials in the U.S. and Europe, comparative performance assessments against competing products, optimization of formulation stability, and progress on regulatory approval processes. In the U.S. a comprehensive series of controlled and field experiments confirmed that Pertinent’s formulations consistently outperform other plant-based biocontrol products in potency, reliability, and spectrum of action. They demonstrated strong efficacy without phytotoxicity, even under challenging environmental conditions. Importantly, they were effective against insect strains that have developed resistance to widely used chemical pesticides. Tests across more than 20 specialty crops showed that the product offers growers a safe, economical, and high-performing alternative. Based on these results, a lead formulation was selected, optimized, and successfully registered under the AgForce brand. Major national distributors have agreed to commercialize it, and the product has already reached farm stores and online marketplaces. Preparatory work is underway to run broader in-field trials with large professional growers ahead of a full commercial rollout in 2026. In Europe, Pertinent and its partner De Sangosse conducted over 50 field trials on 20 different crops to determine the ideal combination of plant extracts, micro-emulsions, and dosing levels. A lead formulation was selected, and work has begun on the regulatory dossier. Since the EU registration pathway is lengthy and costly, early commercial traction is expected primarily in the U.S. and international markets.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

The strong technical results and encouraging initial commercial performance in the U.S. provide Pertinent with a compelling competitive advantage. The target market exceeds $3 billion, and the serviceable market—specialty crops such as berries, fruits, vegetables, greenhouses, vineyards, almonds, hemp, and orchards—accounts for about $2 billion of that opportunity. The company intends to serve professional growers while also repurposing its products into smaller packaging formats for the fast-growing segment of hobby farmers and home gardeners. These segments reinforce each other: they rely on the same technology, have different seasonal cycles, and create multiple revenue streams. To sustain this growth, Pertinent will require additional commercial talent and technical support teams. International distributors, particularly in regions heavily affected by climate change or needing higher agricultural productivity, have expressed strong interest in introducing Pertinent’s solutions. The company is expanding its business development, production, and supply capabilities to respond to these opportunities. In Europe, biocontrol acceptance is high, and many crops urgently need alternatives due to the removal of chemical solutions from the market. Despite the clear fit of Pertinent’s solutions, regulatory hurdles remain significant. VERANO has initiated these steps, but success will depend on adequate support to navigate the EU approval system.