The mass breeding of insects for food is an activity in full expansion because it is a type of sustainable livestock and high protein value. However, although their economic performance depends to a large extent on the viability and productivity of insect colonies, There are no tools on the market for rapid and effective detection of pathogens or for effective control of arthropod pests causing massive damage to crops.
In this field, CUCARE and the Universitat de València have signed a know-how transfer agreement, by which the institution grants to the spin-off the rights of exploitation of the knowledge and technological experience of the Pest Biotechnology Control Group (CPB-BIOTECMED) of UV.
"The company was born from the industrial need, demanded by the producing companies, to have fast, effective diagnostic systems at a competitive price that allows them to anticipate problems and contain the appearance of diseases in the massive offspring of insects", says Salvador Herrero Sendra, professor of UV genetics and one of the promoters of CUCARE. "These are techniques of molecular biology and DNA sequencing developed by our group in BIOTECMED and applied to the agricultural sector for insect producers, beekeepers and farmers can reduce the risk and economic loss of diseases and pests", adds the scientist.
"The company was born from the industrial need, demanded by the producing companies, to have fast, effective diagnostic systems at a competitive price that allows them to anticipate problems and contain the appearance of diseases in the massive offspring of insects", Salvador Herrero Sendra, professor of UV Genetics and one of the promoters of CUCARE
The new spin-off will develop affordable systems targeting two different markets. On the one hand, to the growing mass insect breeding industry, which will provide different methods and kits for pathogen detection; and on the other hand, to the agricultural sector, which will provide methodologies for the diagnosis of pesticide resistance in pest arthropods. "We intend to put in the hands of each customer the right product to improve the management of their farms," explains geneticist Ana Isabel Millán Leiva, co-founder and CEO of the biotechnology firm. "In addition to an increase in profits, this will lead to significant savings of time and resources for the customer," says the entrepreneur.
CUCARE DIAGNOSTICS is owned by five majority partners, including UV itself. In addition to Ana Isabel Millán and Salvador Herrero, the CUCARE promoter team includes BIOTECMED researchers Joel González and Sara Hernández.
The Universitat de València currently has 23 active spin-offs, eight of them belonging to the biotechnology sector.
Source: UV News