Southampton spin-out combats pests intelligently

23 Oct 2007 | News

Investment, Licensing, Partnership Opportunity

Exosect Limited, a spin-out from the University of Southampton, is seeking investment and partnership to commercialise its innovative pest control technology. 

Exosect develops cost-effective intelligent pest management solutions with the aim of assisting growers, food producers and processors in reaching zero residue targets in their crops and reduce dependency on insecticides.  The technology has wide-ranging applications including crop protection, apiculture, amenity and public health.

The company, which according to director Philip Harris, is about to close a finance round backed by a consortium of venture capitalists, is looking for an investment of “Several million sterling to complete large scale trials, product registration and launches into new markets.”

The company is also interested in licensing their platform pest control technology.  “We develop Intelligent Pest Management products which capitalise on the characteristics of Entostat powder and the biology of the target pest,” explained Harris, “The Entostat powder exhibits electrostatic properties and acts as a delivery system for a wide range of chemistry.  When placed in contact with insects, the powder adheres to them and can be passed from one insect to another through direct contact.”

With regard to partnership Exosect is looking for “major distibution partners that have established dealer networks, with a product suite that suits our mission statement: Our innovative and cost-effective products help growers, food producers and processors actively reduce their use of insecticides,” said the director.

A privately funded company, Exosect Ltd was spun out of the University of Southampton in 2001 with a focused R&D function. In 2005 Exosect launched the first of its innovative crop protection products, all of which are based on Entostat powder.  The powder is derived from natural ‘food grade’ wax harvested from palm trees and is used as delivery mechanism for a wide range of products by utilizing its electrostatic properties.

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