Oerth Bio has published a peer-reviewed study in Nature Communications Biology establishing one of the first demonstrations of PROTAC (proteolysis-targeting chimera) technology in an agricultural context.
The publication highlights Oerth’s proprietary platform and its ability to precisely degrade target proteins in insects, representing a transformative step toward novel and sustainable crop protection solutions. This study marks a milestone in validating targeted protein degradation as a viable and scalable tool for agricultural innovation.
“This publication represents the culmination of years of foundational science at Oerth and a major validation of our ability to design protein degraders with a high level of precision. It’s a pivotal step toward delivering the next-generation agricultural products that are both highly effective and sustainable, said Robert Cicchillo, Oerth Bio’s chief scientific officer.
In collaboration with Bayer, Oerth Bio is the first to translate the therapeutic modality into agriculture, which has opened a new frontier in agtech. The paper underscores the potential of PROTACs to address unmet needs in crop resilience, productivity, and sustainability. This work not only validates the company’s leadership in the field but also paves the way for the development of novel, differentiated products that are more selective, environmentally friendly, and overcome current resistance challenges.
“Oerth Bio’s work demonstrates how cutting-edge biotechnology platforms can be reimagined to solve some of agriculture’s most urgent challenges. This publication is a key proof point for Leaps by Bayer’s mission to support impactful innovations that can equip farmers with technologies to ensure food security,” said Juergen Eckhardt, Head of Leaps by Bayer.
