The project itself, “Adaptable phage solutions: an Aotearoa-NZ platform for precision biocontrol for primary industries” has a five-year timeframe and a grant of almost $9 million from the Endeavour Fund.
Bacteriophages (phages) are viruses that infect bacteria. These phages can be employed to kill bacterial hosts without causing any harm to plants or animals. This makes them highly beneficial for human health in addressing antibiotic-resistant bacteria, but also for the protection of crops from bacterial pathogens.
The project itself has as its objective the creation of a pipeline for phage discovery and development for use against a host of bacterial pathogens that threaten New Zealand’s horticultural and agricultural industries.
BioSouth is playing a key role by producing phages at scale utilising its own proprietary system for scale-up and production.
Initial products under development will benefit both the kiwifruit and apiculture sectors, both of which were significantly impacted by pathogens such as kiwifruit vine canker (Psa) and American Foulbrood (AFB) that attacks honeybees. Following on from that work will be carried out on phage biocontrols for the cherry and salmon industries.
“BioSouth is a key player the production and scaleup of bacteriophage, and how to grow phage at commercial volumes” said BioSouth’s Chief Science Officer, Professor Travis Glare.
As the project evolves it is expected that an entire new industry will emerge in New Zealand for the production and manufacture of phage-based biocontrol products, generating skilled jobs and new business ventures. It will also lift New Zealand’s food productivity whilst ensuring compliance from major importers such as the EU which is increasingly restrictive on the use of chemical-based pesticides