Development of an effective biological nematicide, HeberNem, based on Tsukamurella
paurometabola C924 strain

Area

Goal

To establish evaluation and business alliances for the commercial exploitation of the bionematicide HeberNem.

Description

Biological products for control of pest and diseases are highly demanded worldwide at present. Their environmental friendly nature, compatibility with organic agriculture and capability for strongly reduce or substitute the use of chemical pesticides are highly priced.
A biological control product based on HeberNem has proven to be an attractive approach for nematode control in agriculture when nationally tested in important commercial vegetables and crops.
Commercial exploitation of the bionematicide HeberNem (Permission Nr. 001/2007 of National Pesticides Register), is in the process of extension in the Cuban agriculture sector. Plant protection strategies for nematodes control in particular have relied on chemical pesticides for several decades.

Patent Status

The product is backed by two main patents, one dealing with the protection of the bacterial strain and the other regarding the mode of action.
”Nematicide agent and method for the biological control of nematodes”, granted in Cuba, Australia, Ecuador, Colombia, Argentina, Brazil, Europe, Canada and Mexico.
“Pesticides and anti-parasitic compositions”, granted in Cuba, Europe, China, Ecuador, Vietnam, Israel, Mexico and Panama. Filed in United States, Japan, Israel, South Africa; Russia, Ukraine, China; Brazil, Canada, Australia, India; Filipinas; Colombia; Mexico, Peru, Venezuela, Paraguay, Uruguay, Panama, Honduras and Egypt.
It has been also protected by a third filed patent: “Biofertilizer composition” Nr. 2007-0092, date: 30/04/07. This patent displays and protects biofertilizer properties of HeberNem.

Project Status

National Extension

Type of collaboration requested

Evaluation agreement based in testing HeberNem effect in other countries, the agreement must be linked to a milestone payment structure. Commercial agreement for specific territories.

Competitives advantages Milestones

More than 12 years of toxicological and ecotoxicological studies (18 tests) demonstrate the biosafety of the Tsukamurella paurometabola C-924 strain, which has shown a specific bionematocide activity against a wide range of phitofagous nematodes. The product has shown to be environmentally friendly. The mode of action has been elucidated. A liquid formulation (HeberNem-L) was registered as biological nematocide. Sanitary Registry in Cuba of a powder formulation (HeberNem-S) will be granted by 2008.

Host Insitutions

Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB). Ave 31, e/158 y 190 Cubanacán, Playa. PO Box 6996, Havana, 10600, Cuba. Tel. (53-7) 2712397; 2716022. Fax. (53-7) 336008; 2718070. E-mail: ernesto.lopez@cigb.edu.cu.
Web site: http://gndp.cigb.edu.cu

BIO/CIGB/2008-17