Mitsui Chemicals Agro, Inc. (MCAG) and BASF sign commercialization agreement for new insecticide with IRAC novel mode of action

Tokyo, Japan, and Limburgerhof, Germany, December 7, 2017 - Mitsui Chemicals Agro, Inc. (MCAG) and BASF SE announced today the signing of a long-term agreement for the commercialization of Broflanilide, a new insecticide for chewing crop pests and non-crop pests control. This commercialization agreement follows the exclusive global license and development agreement between the two companies that was announced on June 11, 2014.

Under the terms of this agreement, MCAG granted BASF exclusive rights to market and sell Broflanilide products in certain markets worldwide, excluding Japan and certain Asian and other countries where MCAG holds exclusive and/or co-exclusive rights.

Broflanilide is a compound with a novel mode of action, demonstrating excellent efficacy in the control of many problematic chewing insect pests, including caterpillars and beetles in specialty and row crops, and non-crop pests such as termites, ants, cockroaches and flies. It has potential use applications in cereals as a seed treatment for control of wireworms, as well as for foliar use in leafy and fruiting vegetables, potato, soybean, cotton, corn and legumes. The active ingredient was discovered by MCAG and the co-development of the insecticide with BASF began in 2014.

The Insecticide Resistance Action Committee (IRAC) recently approved the classification of Broflanilide as a compound with a new mode of action in Group 30: GABA-gated Cl- channel allosteric modulators. As of today, Broflanilide is the only active ingredient in IRAC Group 30. Given its different chemistry, Broflanilide is a highly effective broad-use compound and a valuable new tool in Insecticide Resistance Management (IRM).

“We’re excited to continue leveraging the expertise and capabilities of each company to offer promising innovative solutions to growers and pest management professionals seeking alternatives to existing pest-targeting chemistries,” said Jürgen Huff, Senior Vice President Global Strategic Marketing, BASF Crop Protection.

“We are also confident that Broflanilide products, with their excellent performance and novel mode of action, can contribute to those in both agriculture and professional pest management seeking effective solutions,” said Shoichi Kondo, Head of MCAG's International Business Division. “This collaboration will contribute to our future growth.”

First market introductions of Broflanilide products are expected in 2020. The financial terms of this agreement were not disclosed.