Vestaron

Vestaron is a biotechnology company pioneering the development of a new class of environmentally friendly, peptide-based bioinsecticides for crop protection. The company has harnessed the potent insecticidal properties found in spider venom to create its flagship Spear product line. These products are derived from naturally occurring peptides that effectively target and control a wide range of destructive insect pests, yet exhibit minimal toxicity to humans, beneficial insects like bees, and the environment.

Vestaron's proprietary fermentation-based platform enables the large-scale production of these peptides, which are then optimized and formulated into highly efficacious biopesticides. The Spear bioinsecticides offer a new mode of action for controlling pests, making them valuable tools in managing resistance to traditional synthetic insecticides. With a 4-hour re-entry interval, 0-day pre-harvest interval, and MRL exemption, Vestaron's products provide a safer alternative while delivering comparable efficacy to conventional chemistries.

In 2018, Vestaron secured EPA approval for Spear-T, its first greenhouse product targeting thrips, whiteflies, aphids, and mites. This was followed by the launch of Spear-Lep in 2019, designed for controlling lepidopteran pests in outdoor and indoor crops. The company has an active pipeline, with its second bioinsecticide, Basin Flex, submitted for EPA review in 2022 and already approved in Mexico.

Vestaron acquired USD 82 million in Series C funding in May 2022, enabling further expansion of its product portfolio, entry into new crop markets, and acceleration of its research and development efforts. The company aims to reduce reliance on synthetic chemical pesticides, increase sustainability in agriculture, and combat resistance issues faced by growers worldwide.