Nufarm and Moa advance development of novel herbicide

Nufarm and Moa Technology said they have entered the next phase of their partnership to develop a new herbicide based on a novel mode of action, reaching this stage more than a year ahead of typical industry timelines.

The companies reported that candidate compounds identified through Moa’s GALAXY discovery platform have shown consistent performance against herbicide-resistant weeds in three seasons of field trials across North and South America, Europe and Australia. The focus is now on characterising a broad-spectrum pre-emergence herbicide for lead selection and preparation for registration.

The partnership, established in July 2024, granted Nufarm exclusive rights to a compound in one of Moa’s novel chemical classes, with Moa receiving upfront and milestone payments, as well as future royalties. Nufarm also holds first option rights to commercialise additional compounds from the same mode of action area.

The initial research phase concluded in 12 months. The new stage of work will include expanded global field trials, crop safety assessments, human and environmental testing, and product optimisation for commercial use.

Greg Hunt, Nufarm’s chief executive, said the collaboration highlights how partnerships can accelerate innovation and create “real, lasting value for farmers and growers.” Moa Technology’s chief executive, Virginia Corless, added that the progress reflects the strength of combining advanced discovery technologies with an experienced industry partner.