Research into the ways spiders kill insects is drawing the right attention for
Vestaron of Kalamazoo.
It's one of five Michigan-based technology companies to be named winners of this year's Scale Up Michigan! competition, sponsored by Lakeshore Advantage and the Michigan State University Bioeconomy Institute.
The award will make available to Vestaron lab assistance worth up to $25,000 from the Michigan State University Bioeconomy Institute.
Vestaron's scientists are working to find out how spiders kill insects and apply that to a new generation of insecticides. They expect these insecticides would be powerful but would not harm farm animals, wildlife or farm workers. They would be non-toxic and easy for employees to handle, that they would be safer to be around the home and better for the environment.
The company's research is focused on the peptides produced by spiders. The company currently has three spider peptides under development. Vestaron has an exclusive patent on this technology.
The company estimates the global market for its insecticides is in excess of $15 billion. It expects to be able to sell them in multiple markets including agriculture, animal health and specialty non-crop uses such as to fight household insects and in commercial pest control.
The Scale Up Michigan! program was launched earlier this spring with a goal of advancing Michigan's emerging bio-based high tech industry, says Randy Olinger, director of the BioBusiness Accelerator.
The other winners are: BoroPharm, a provider of expertise in boron chemistry with custom synthesis solutions; GFT, LLC, a manufacturer of polyimide insulating foams and composites; Microcide Inc., a producer of antimicrobial products, including Silky-Soft sanitizing soap; and Pleotint, LLC, a developer and manufacturer of Sunlight Responsive Tinting film.
Writer: Kathy Jennings
Source: Randy Olinger, BioBusiness Accelerator
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