Biotalys Completes EVOCA NG Pilot Production
The Ghent-based biotech completed five consecutive production batches of its first AGROBODY candidate with partner 21st.BIO.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Organic Food
Biotalys completed a pilot production campaign for EVOCA NG, its first AGROBODY commercial product candidate, running five consecutive production batches with 21st.BIO. The company reported a more than 15-fold improvement in production efficiency compared with EVOCA.
Why it matters
EVOCA NG targets Botrytis (grey mold) and powdery mildew, and it carries the same bioactive ingredient as EVOCA, which has already received U.S. EPA approval and approvals in Florida and California. Demonstrated manufacturing consistency and scalability are steps toward commercial supply for growers.
Biotalys reported a more than 15-fold gain in production efficiency versus EVOCA across five consecutive pilot batches, with a combined target market of USD 1.1 billion for EVOCA NG. The efficiency figure is company-reported, and E.U. regulatory review remains ongoing.
The players
Biotalys
Biotalys is a Ghent, Belgium-based biotech company founded in 2013 as a spin-off from the VIB, developing biological crop protection products.
21st.BIO
21st.BIO is a precision fermentation technology provider that partnered with Biotalys on the EVOCA NG pilot production campaign.
EFSA
The European Food Safety Authority is the E.U. agency responsible for scientific assessment of food and feed safety, including pesticide active substances.
The details
The pilot campaign was run in partnership with 21st.BIO, a precision fermentation technology provider, to test manufacturing consistency. EVOCA NG is developed to control Botrytis and powdery mildew, and Biotalys is planning registration in both the U.S. and E.U. in 2029.
Timeline
December 2025: EPA approved EVOCA in the U.S.
2026: Florida and California granted state approval for EVOCA.
November 9, 2026: Biotalys announced completion of the EVOCA NG pilot campaign.
End of 2026 or early 2027: EFSA expected to finalise its review of EVOCA.
2029: Planned registration of EVOCA NG in the U.S. and E.U.
Market Landscape
Biological crop protection products made through precision fermentation are an emerging alternative to synthetic fungicides used against Botrytis and powdery mildew. Biotalys's manufacturing gains with 21st.BIO position its AGROBODY platform to compete in that shift.
For growers and food buyers, biological fungicides like EVOCA NG could eventually offer an alternative to conventional treatments against grey mold and powdery mildew. Commercial availability depends on regulatory approvals that are still pending in the E.U. and planned for later in the decade.
The takeaway
Growers and buyers should watch the EFSA decision on EVOCA, since E.U. approval will determine when biological Botrytis control becomes widely available. Manufacturing progress like the 15-fold efficiency gain signals that such products may become more affordable to produce over time.
What happens next
EFSA is expected to finalise its review of EVOCA by the end of 2026 or early 2027, and Biotalys plans registration of EVOCA NG in the U.S. and E.U. in 2029.
Further reading
For more on biological inputs used in farming, explore Organic Food.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Manila times.
