Agricultural biotechnology company EcoPhage has secured US Environmental Protection Agency approval for GoldenEco, a phage-based biopesticide designed to control bacterial diseases affecting tomatoes and peppers, clearing a key regulatory hurdle for its planned US commercial launch.
The EPA approval covers GoldenEco for bacterial diseases caused by Xanthomonas and Pseudomonas, two pathogen groups associated with significant disease pressure in vegetable production. The product can now move towards commercialisation in the US, subject to applicable state registrations and other regulatory requirements.
The approval comes as growers and crop protection companies seek alternatives to conventional disease-management programmes that rely heavily on chemical and metal-based treatments. Regulatory scrutiny, concerns around environmental impact and resistance development, and growing demand for biological crop protection are increasing interest in targeted microbial technologies.
GoldenEco is built on EcoPhage’s proprietary bacteriophage platform. Bacteriophages are naturally occurring biological agents that infect and destroy specific bacteria. By targeting bacterial pathogens, the technology is designed to provide more selective disease management while offering growers an alternative tool alongside conventional crop protection programmes.
“Receiving EPA approval for GoldenEco is a major achievement for EcoPhage and an important milestone in our commercialization strategy,” said Guy Elitzur, CEO of EcoPhage. “After years of research, development, field testing and regulatory work, we are now ready to bring GoldenEco® to U.S. growers.”
The company said the approval also validates its ability to take phage-based technologies from discovery and development through field testing, regulatory review and commercialisation. GoldenEco is the first EcoPhage product to reach the US commercial market.
“The EPA approval of GoldenEco is not only a milestone for this product, but also an important validation of our broader technology platform,” Elitzur said. “We are building a portfolio of phage-based solutions for some of the most challenging bacterial diseases affecting agriculture.”
Following the regulatory approval, EcoPhage will work with US commercial partners on preparations for the product launch, including market development, distributor engagement and outreach to growers. The company will also implement its commercial strategy as the product progresses through the remaining state-level registration requirements.
GoldenEco forms part of EcoPhage’s broader effort to develop biological solutions for bacterial plant diseases. The company’s platform uses phage discovery and development capabilities to create targeted, natural, non-GMO and zero-residue biopesticides for a range of crops.
The company is advancing a pipeline of phage-based products aimed at bacterial diseases across multiple agricultural markets. The US approval of GoldenEco® gives EcoPhage its first commercial entry point while providing a regulatory and market foundation for further products from its technology platform.
