By Janet Kanters

Biotalys, a Belgium-based agricultural technology company, has acquired its first U.S. state registration of its biofungicide, EVOCA, in Florida. This approval by the Florida Department of Agriculture follows the product’s earlier approval by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and highlights its potential to combat key fungal diseases like Botrytis (grey mould) and powdery mildew in fruits and vegetables.

“We are proud to see EVOCA obtain state registration in Florida, as it sets the stage for the future of our protein-based biocontrol solutions,” said Carlo Boutton, interim CEO of Biotalys. “Florida is the second largest U.S. state for the production of key fruits and vegetables such as strawberries, tomatoes, and bell peppers that face significant challenges from diseases like Botrytis and powdery mildew.”

EVOCA, a protein-based biocontrol developed using Biotalys’ proprietary AGROBODY technology platform, offers a “sustainable alternative to traditional chemical fungicides,” notes the company.

Biotalys is also advancing regulatory approvals for EVOCA in other key markets. In California, the largest agricultural state in the U.S., the Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) is reviewing the product. The EPA-approved label has already been accepted by the state’s Human Health Assessment Branch, with final approval expected in the second half of 2026.

In Europe, the regulatory process is moving forward as well. A two-month public consultation phase is set to begin this week, after which the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the Dutch Board for the Authorisation of Plant Protection Products (CTGB) will review the feedback. A decision is anticipated following this review.

The company says the Florida registration is a “key step” toward the eventual commercialization of EVOCA’s next-generation version, EVOCA NG, which is expected to launch in the U.S. in 2029 and in Europe in 2030.

Biotalys was founded in 2013 as a spin-off from the Flanders Institute for Biotechnology (VIB).

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