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.

The global seed treatment market is expected to reach roughly USD 11 billion by 2030¹ reflecting strong demand for tools that protect yield and support sustainable farming practices. Seed-applied biofungicides are a growing part of this market as farmers continue to seek new, innovative options for targeted disease control.

“Ascribe’s recent work has focused on using Phytalix® in foliar crop protection products,” said Jay Farmer, CEO of Ascribe Bio. “Our research now shows that the same non-toxic mode of action can also benefit crops when applied as a seed treatment, and this collaboration will allow us to develop that potential at scale with a global leader in seeds and seed care.”

Phytalix is based on natural small molecules known as ascarosides, some of which can 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 disease and stress pressure.

“Seed treatments are a critical first step in protecting the crop,” said Tom Greene, senior director and global lead for Corteva Catalyst. “Our collaboration with Ascribe offers additional opportunities to explore how a new biological mode of action could fit into integrated seed protection programs for farmers that are both effective and sustainable.”

Under the agreement, Ascribe will lead core R&D work, including lab studies and early field trials. Corteva will contribute formulation expertise, seed treatment capabilities, and agronomic testing across key growing regions.

¹ Seed Treatment Market Size Worth $11.62 Billion By 2030 | CAGR: 8.4%

About Ascribe:
Ascribe is an Ithaca, NY-based agricultural technology company developing natural crop protection solutions. Founded in 2017 based on research from the Boyce Thompson Institute at Cornell University, Ascribe’s flagship biofungicide, Phytalix®, harnesses small molecules from the soil microbiome to create effective, environmentally friendly disease control solutions that help farmers grow more resilient crops and harvest higher yields.

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New research will explore how Ascribe's technology can be used as seed treatments to help protect crops from early-season disease.