Agricultural biotechnology company EcoPhage has signed a distribution agreement with Mexican agricultural supplier Agricultura Nacional, S.A. de C.V. (ANSA), which operates under the Dragon name, to bring two biological crop protection products targeting bacterial diseases to Mexico.

Under the agreement, Dragon will market and distribute EcoPhage’s GoldenEco and EcoFire products, subject to agreed commercial targets. The partnership combines EcoPhage’s bacteriophage technology with Dragon’s local market knowledge and distribution network.

Bacteriophages are naturally occurring viruses that infect and destroy specific bacteria. EcoPhage uses them to develop targeted biological products for managing bacterial plant diseases.

Growers have traditionally relied on copper-based products and, in some applications, antibiotics to manage bacterial diseases. Concerns about resistance, environmental impacts, residues and changing regulatory requirements are increasing interest in alternative approaches.

GoldenEco, EcoPhage’s flagship product, was recently approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. It is being developed to manage bacterial diseases in tomatoes and peppers. EcoFire targets bacterial diseases in fruit crops.

“We are excited to partner with EcoPhage and bring its innovative phage-based technology to the Mexican agricultural market,” said Martin Fueyo Mac Donald, Dragon’s CEO. “The demand for effective and sustainable crop protection solutions continues to grow, and we believe EcoPhage’s technology offers an important new approach to bacterial disease management.”

He said Dragon would work with EcoPhage to introduce the products to Mexican growers and establish a commercial presence in the market.

Building a broader product portfolio

EcoPhage CEO Guy Elitzur said Mexico offers significant potential for biological crop protection and that Dragon was well positioned to support the company’s expansion.

“This agreement represents an important step in our global commercialization strategy and brings EcoPhage closer to growers who are looking for new and sustainable solutions to manage bacterial diseases,” Elitzur said.

The company is developing additional phage-based products for different crops and bacterial pathogens, with the aim of providing growers with targeted tools that can complement existing crop protection programs.

“Our vision is to build a global platform of biological solutions for bacterial diseases,” Elitzur said. He added that the Dragon partnership is intended to establish a long-term route to market in Mexico, supporting the potential introduction of additional EcoPhage products in the future.