Glasgow’s commitment to sustainability and environmental leadership is exemplified by its pioneering approach across various industries. One company driving innovation in the green sector is SOLASTA Bio, a Glasgow-based agritech startup and spinout from the University of Glasgow. They are making notable advances in the commercialisation of its innovative bioinsecticides, which have shown promising results in successful field trials.

Founded in 2020, SOLASTA Bio has developed the world’s first technology platform for creating neuropeptide-based insect control agents (ICAs). These bioinsecticides are environmentally friendly, avoiding synthetic chemicals and protecting beneficial pollinators.

Recent trials demonstrated the efficacy of SOLASTA Bio’s ICAs, performing as well as or better than commercial standards across 20 field trials in the UK, Europe, and the US. The trials targeted aphids on crops like sugar beet, vining peas, cotton, lettuce, cucumber, and melon in the UK and Europe. In the US and Europe, bioinsecticides were deployed against the Spotted Wing Drosophila fruit fly and caterpillar pests. Additionally, in Greece, new bioinsecticides effectively controlled the emerging pest problem of leafhoppers on cotton crops, surpassing commercial standards.

A key highlight from the trials is that beneficial insects continued to thrive in crops treated with SOLASTA Bio’s pollinator-safe products. This breakthrough means the company is on track to bring its first ICAs to market by 2027/2028, significantly faster than the traditional timeline for synthetic chemical pest control products.

The global insecticides market, currently dominated by synthetic chemicals, is projected to be worth around $27 billion (£21b) by 2028. Given that 75% of food crops rely on pollinators, while damaging insects cause at least $70 billion (£55b) in US crop losses alone, SOLASTA Bio’s innovative approach offers a promising solution to a significant challenge in agriculture.