Moa Technology has unveiled a breakthrough discovery in crop protection: new chemistries that could create an entirely new category of products to help farmers protect harvests more safely, sustainably, and effectively.
In just three years, Moa’s proprietary technology platforms have identified over 80 new herbicidal modes of action, several of which are already showing strong results in field trials across the US, Canada, Europe, South America, and Australia.
Alongside these, Moa scientists have discovered novel “amplifier” molecules, which are non-herbicidal alone but have the potential to reduce the amount or concentration of herbicides farmers currently apply.
These amplifiers also create opportunities for bio-synthetic hybrid solutions, offering new pathways for bioherbicides to play a larger role in sustainable agriculture.
While bioherbicides remain a small part of the biologicals sector, amplifiers may allow natural products to work more effectively in controlling pervasive weeds.
Moa’s first collaboration in this field will be with Gowan Company, a US-based agricultural solutions business. Under the agreement, Gowan will make a significant investment—combining upfront payments, milestone-based rewards, and royalties—to co-develop an amplifier for a specific active ingredient.
Both companies see major global potential as farmers look for sustainable ways to safeguard yields while reducing environmental impacts.
Pilot field trials are already underway. In Australia, amplifiers are being tested against annual ryegrass (Lolium rigidum), a weed that costs grain producers A$3.3 billion annually in losses and control costs.
Trials are also running in the UK against resistant Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum), one of Western Europe’s most damaging weeds.
Moa CEO Dr Virginia Corless said: “We are excited to discover this entirely new category of weed control solutions to help solve a real and immediate problem for farmers and the environment globally.”
Laurent Cornette, Global Herbicide Asset Manager at Gowan, added: “Together with Moa’s scientists, we’re pioneering innovative solutions for highly efficient weed control at minimal active ingredient rates—empowering farmers with sustainable tools for the future.”
Spun out of Oxford University in 2017, Moa has screened more than 830,000 compounds in recent years and signed a major partnership with Nufarm in 2024.
