Development of a Herbicide Discovery Platform for commercialisation
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Oxford
Department Name: Plant Sciences
Abstract
The aim of this proposal is to develop a technology for screening of herbicides with selected modes of action using a novel high throughput system developed in the applicants laboratory.
It builds on the generation of sensitised genetic mutant plants that are more sensitive to chemicals that inhibit specific processes required for plant growth.
Together with an already established technology for herbicide target discovery that exploits unique characteristics of our genetic system, the proposed technology will allow the applicant to develop of a herbicide discovery pipeline that goes from chemical discovery through to target discovery.
Together these technologies will provide the basis of a commercial activity through a variety of routes.
Our market research funded through a Pathfinder award indicates that there is considerable interest from industry in the platform and it has the potential to generate considerable revenues.
It builds on the generation of sensitised genetic mutant plants that are more sensitive to chemicals that inhibit specific processes required for plant growth.
Together with an already established technology for herbicide target discovery that exploits unique characteristics of our genetic system, the proposed technology will allow the applicant to develop of a herbicide discovery pipeline that goes from chemical discovery through to target discovery.
Together these technologies will provide the basis of a commercial activity through a variety of routes.
Our market research funded through a Pathfinder award indicates that there is considerable interest from industry in the platform and it has the potential to generate considerable revenues.
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
| Liam Dolan (Principal Investigator) |
| Description | We discovered that certain genetic backgrounds can be used for high throughput screening. This allowed us to develop a technology that is one of the pillars of the spin out company. |
| Exploitation Route | They are being taken forward in a spin out company. |
| Sectors | Agriculture, Food and Drink |
| Description | They have gone to support the establishment of a spin out company; https://www.moa-technology.com. This company is discovering novel weeks control agents. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2017 |
| Sector | Agriculture, Food and Drink |
| Impact Types | Economic |
| Title | Development of tools to identify microtubule-based weed control agents |
| Description | The research allowed us to develop a technology that specifically identified chemicals that negatively impact microtubule dynamics and function. This is the platform for the discovery of weed control agents that operate by disrupting microtubule function and cell division. These compounds have other potential uses (fungicides etc). |
| Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
| Year Produced | 2017 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | This technology was licensed by the University of Oxford to MoA Technology. It will be the basis of a patent application to be made in 2021 or 2022. It is being developed by MoA Technology. |
| Company Name | MoA Technology |
| Description | MoA Technology is discovering new weed control agents and plant growth regulators. MoA Technology was founded in August 2017 after completion of a £1.8 m seed round. In May 2019 MoA technology raised £6.4m in series A. It has grown rapidly and now employs 15 FTEs. |
| Year Established | 2017 |
| Impact | The aim of the company is to identify a new generation of weed control agents. It is too early to report the generation of new products. However, potential new herbicides have been discovered. The company is building collaborations with large agritech companies to identify priority molecules for commercialisation. Two patents are being prepared, though not yet published. 1. Champion C, Dolan L 2019 Identification and characterisation of herbicides and plant growth regulators 2. Champion C, Dolan L 2018 A method or system for the identification of a causative mutation causing a phenotype of interest in a tested sample. |
| Website | https://www.moa-technology.com |
| Description | Funding pitch |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Pitching to venture capitalists |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |