Novel peptides for controlling invasive pest ants

PROJECT SUMMARYTitle: Novel peptides for controlling invasive pest ants.PI: Dr. Satya Prabhakar Chinta Foresight Science & Technology Inc.Collaborators: Dr. Robert Vander Meer and Dr. Man-Yeon Choi USDA Agricultural ResearchService.Foresight Science & Technology Inc. (Foresight) and the USDA Agricultural ResearchService (ARS) are collaborating in the development and commercialization of a novel new baitformulation to control the spread of red imported fire ants (RIFA) utilizing patented peptides asan effective environmentally neutral species-specific active ingredient for a bait formulation.The project is based on two issued patents US Patent 9771393 B2. Bioactive Peptides HavingInsecticide Activity Choi and Vander Meer issued Sep. 26 2017; US Patent 10017538.Bioactive Peptides Having Insecticide Activity Choi and Vander Meer issued Jul. 10 2018; andPCT WO 2016/0262388 A1 and WO 2018/0086790 A1. The project will demonstrate thecommercial potential for controlling RIFA using novel bioactive peptides as antagonistsblocking essential RIFA receptors.Foresight and ARS have utilized USDA NIFA SBIR Phase I grant funding to screenpatent protected synthetic peptides that showed promise in laboratory screening bioassays and todemonstrate proof of concept for use of specific peptides in a bait formulation. In Phase II theproject will focus on developing an optimal bait formulation investigation of nano delivery andfield testing to produce a prototype with supporting data. Commercialization will be throughlicensing the intellectual property and know-how to a private commercial entity for furtherproduct development and mass market distribution.