The insect-pathogenic fungus 'JEF-507' developed by Professor Kim Jae-su's research team has been transferred to a company, paving the way for commercialization.

Jeonbuk National University (JBNU) Industry-University Cooperation (Director Jo Gi-hwan) and eco-friendly solutions company Global Agro Co., Ltd. (CEO Lee Yong-jin) announced on the 24th that they have signed a Technology Transfer agreement related to the development of eco-friendly insecticides through the commercialization of the insect-pathogenic fungus 'JEF-507'.

The transferred insect-pathogenic fungus 'JEF-507' is an innovative technology that addresses the problem of chemical residues in crops and soil resulting from chemical pesticide use and shows superior pest control performance compared to microbial products currently sold on the market.

Global Agro Co., Ltd., which entered the eco-friendly agriculture sector in 2006, is an eco-friendly solutions specialist that has accumulated top-level know-how in sustainable cultivation techniques in Korea. The company presents a successful model for eco-friendly agriculture with products for soil moisture retention and improvement, crop growth, pest and disease management, and management of environmental stresses such as drought, heat and cold damage.

Lee Yong-jin, CEO of Global Agro Co., Ltd., said that JBNU's insect-pathogenic fungus 'JEF-507' is an innovative eco-friendly agricultural technology that not only drastically reduces the use of chemical insecticides but also can reduce secondary damage caused by TSWV (Tomato spotted wilt virus) by eradicating virus-vectoring pests. He added that through close collaboration with JBNU they will improve, refine and innovate the technology to develop agricultural methods that coexist with nature and provide services that delight customers.

Under the agreement, both institutions will leverage their respective capabilities to conduct in-depth research on the insecticidal mechanisms of the 'JEF-507' strain. They will not only aim for successful production of effective products but will also establish an integrated cooperation system for operational coordination.

In addition to the products currently under development, they will share information for additional commercialization opportunities, establish a consultative body, and promote various cooperative projects through the operation of joint research groups.

Jo Gi-hwan, Vice-President of Industry-University Cooperation at JBNU, said that this agreement is expected not only to result in technology transfer that integrates industry demand for new technologies with the university's outstanding technologies, but also, through joint development, to secure a leading position in the eco-friendly pest control market and contribute to increasing farmers' incomes in the future. He added that it is expected to be a representative example of a virtuous cycle in industry-university cooperation and to play a leading role in the eco-friendly agricultural materials market.