Biotalys has received approval from Dutch regulators to begin large-scale commercial field trials of its biofungicide candidate EVOCA NG, marking a significant step towards bringing the product to market.
The approval from the Dutch Board for the Authorisation of Plant Protection Products and Biocides (Ctgb) allows growers to test EVOCA NG on up to 150 hectares of tomatoes, 150 hectares of cucumbers and 50 hectares of strawberries under commercial growing conditions.
The Dutch approval contrasts with concerns raised by biologicals developers that lengthy EU regulatory processes are slowing the commercialisation of new crop protection products. Several Dutch companies recently told AgNavigator they were prioritising launches in overseas markets where approvals can be secured more quickly, rather than waiting for European authorisations. The EVOCA NG decision therefore represents a rare example of regulatory progress for a biological crop protection product within Europe.
According to Biotalys, the trials represent the first commercial-scale application of EVOCA NG and will allow harvested produce from treated crops to enter the food chain.
Testing alternatives to conventional fungicides
The protein-based biofungicide is being developed to control botrytis and powdery mildew, two fungal diseases that can significantly reduce crop yields and quality.
Biotalys said the product could help growers maintain productivity at a time when resistance to conventional crop protection products is increasing and regulators continue to phase out or restrict some synthetic chemistries.
Chief executive Carlo Boutton described the approval as an important milestone for the company and a sign of growing regulatory confidence in its AGROBODY technology platform.
“By enabling growers to evaluate EVOCA NG across larger commercial acreages while allowing harvested produce into the food chain, these trials provide real-world validation of our first commercial product as we continue to advance its development and production optimisation,” he said.
Growers report positive early results
The approval follows earlier demonstration trials of Biotalys’ first-generation EVOCA product in the Netherlands.
Dutch strawberry grower Noud Dings of Brookberries said the company used EVOCA across 3.7 hectares of strawberries, replacing a synthetic fungicide within its disease management programme.
Meanwhile, Rob van Enckevort of De Peelkroon said the business had successfully used EVOCA against powdery mildew in strawberries for two consecutive seasons.
Both growers expressed interest in participating in the newly approved EVOCA NG trials.
Eyeing a 2029 launch
Biotalys said the expanded programme is designed to familiarise growers with the technology and support product adoption ahead of a planned European registration and commercial launch in 2029.
