Traditional approaches to pest control pose significant environmental and health risks,1 driving research to focus on developing novel pesticides and pesticides that reduce ecological impact while maintaining or enhancing efficacy. With farms across the globe spending approximately $60 billion on pesticides, and insecticides causing up to 40% of crop loss every year, the opportunity for growth and innovation in this sector is enormous.2,3
Researchers leveraging CAS Solutions can accelerate their development of novel pesticides with access to a vast repository of scientific information and expertise. Through developing custom solutions in partnership with CAS or using tools like CAS SciFinder® and the STN IP Protection Suite™, you can streamline your literature reviews, secure your intellectual property, and develop digital solutions that enhance your agricultural R&D operations.
Exploring the latest pesticide delivery technologies
Since off-target effects account for a large portion of traditional pesticides' environmental damage, innovation in delivery systems is key. Two candidates stand out: nanotechnology and RNA interference (RNAi). Data from the CAS Content CollectionTM shows increasing numbers of journal articles and patent filings related to nanotechnology and RNAi in agriculture, pesticides, and insecticides published in the last five years. This demonstrates increasing interest and opportunities for researchers to develop innovations in sustainable pesticides.
Nano-enabled pesticides have gained traction due to delivering active ingredients with precision. Engineered to release their active compounds only under specific environmental conditions, such as changes in moisture or pH levels, they offer the promise of targeted delivery that reduces the overall chemical load and minimizes non-target impacts.4 RNAi-based pesticides are another frontier in pest control. By targeting specific genes within pests, RNAi-based pesticides disrupt critical biological functions without affecting non-target species.3
Research surrounding these technologies is evolving rapidly, so it is critical that researchers stay ahead by accessing the latest scientific literature and patent data. The CAS SciFinder Discovery Platform™ is designed to simplify this process, offering advanced search capabilities and industry-specific filters that enable you to hone in on the most relevant information. By using the Alerts function, you can save your search and get notified when new research is published, keeping you up to date on the latest advancements.
Learn more about the CAS SciFinder Discovery Platform
Refining novel pesticide formulations
The success of novel pesticides depends on the materials used in their formulation. Regardless of the delivery system, selecting the right active ingredients and refining the formulation are necessary to ensure performance and safety. With CAS Formulus®, you can explore ingredients, safety information, and commercial suppliers within a single interface, accelerating your path to the ideal formula.
For companies looking to develop novel formulations, specifications and regulatory requirements for pesticide ingredients are a big concern. Bodies such as the World Health Organization, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and the European Union all have regulations.5–7 CAS Formulus® integrates this regulatory information with the CAS REGISTRY® substance detail so you can refer to these guidelines as you build your formulations and filter unwanted substances from your search results.
Protecting your innovations in a competitive market
As the global demand for sustainable pesticides continues to surge, the market for these sustainable chemicals is projected to more than double, reaching an estimated $7.3 billion by 2031.8 With so much scope for bringing new pesticides to market, securing IP for your innovations is essential to capitalize on your efforts.
Using the STN IP Protection Suite, you can navigate complex IP landscapes to identify potential opportunities for innovation, ensure that your discoveries are protected, and avoid potential infringements that could jeopardize your novel pesticide advancements.
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Leveraging AI and digital tools for pesticide development
The agricultural industry is only beginning to harness the power of digital transformation and AI. In the field of pest control, research is rapidly advancing to introduce many technologies, including drone sprayers, AI sensors, and AI-enabled pest identification, enabling more precise and sustainable pesticide delivery.9
Information is at the heart of each of these techniques. Companies must digitize, curate, and leverage their data to innovate in this field. The CAS Custom ServicesSM team offers expertise in integrating AI and digital technologies into agricultural R&D workflows, helping you harness the power of AI to drive innovation in novel pesticides.
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Building a sustainable future with novel pesticides
The future of agriculture depends on the development and adoption of effective and environmentally responsible pesticides. By partnering with CAS, companies can accelerate their journey toward creating a new generation of pesticides, paving the way for a more sustainable and resilient agricultural system.