Spiropidion is an innovative new technology that can be used to protect a wide array of crops from some of the most damaging, and difficult to control, sucking pests

Spiropidion is safe to pollinators and beneficial insects, providing farmers with an important new tool in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs, in line with Syngenta’s ongoing commitment to developing innovative and sustainable products

Basel / Switzerland – Syngenta is proud to unveil Spiropidion, an innovative new insect control technology that will help farmers protect their crops against damaging sucking pests in an effective and environmentally sustainable manner.

Sucking pests, such as aphids, whiteflies, and scales, devastate high-value fruit and vegetables like tomatoes, oranges, and melons, as well as important arable crops like cotton and soybean. Spiropidion is safe to natural beneficial insects and pollinators, offering farmers a new tool for Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs.

Spiropidion is the result of chemistry-driven innovation within a rare class of insecticides that helps crops from the inside, protecting the whole plant body from the attack of damaging sucking pests, thereby securing crop quality, yields and the livelihood of farmers.

“We are excited to offer farmers a new active ingredient that provides more targeted protection against some of the most difficult and damaging sucking pests. The best way I can describe this new innovation is that it’s kind to nature but hard on pests!” said Jon Parr, President Global Crop Protection at Syngenta. “Spiropidion is another clear example of how we are accelerating investment to deliver plant health innovations that support farmers, across the world, to grow productively and sustainably.”

About Spiropidion: 

Spiropidion (SYN546330) is an insecticide, belonging to tetramic acid chemical class. It is a Syngenta innovation, however, Bayer is the leader in the Keto-enol class, wherein Bayer has already launched spirotetramat and spiromesifen.  it’s also known as Keto-enol class of insecticide.

Spiropidion is a tetramic acid insecticide which is being targeted for the control of a range of aphids, whiteflies, Pysllids, armoured scales, soft scales, spider mites, rust mites, and red mites including California red scale, green peach aphid (Myzus persicae), tobacco whitefly (Bemisia tabaci), cotton aphid (Aphis gossypii). The crop spectrum was indicated as including apples/pome, grapes, orange/citrus, tomatoes, beans/legumes, cotton and potatoes.

The mode of action of spiropidion was indicated as being through the inhibition of ACCase, preventing fatty acid biosynthesis and biomembrane formation, both during immature stages and to the detriment of fecundity of adults. The product reportedly features both contact and two-way translaminar activity, whilst also protecting new growth against re-infestation and protecting roots. Another key point is that spiropidion is indicated as being a pro-insecticide – only becoming active in vivo. The molecule is also being positioned as a resistance management tool, particularly against populations resistant to neonicotinoids, mectins and pyrethroids, and reportedly has a favorable profile against pollinators and non-target species.

Patent Information:

Spiropidion basic compound patent is going to expire on 2029. Syngenta protected of Spiropidion compound globally with WO2010066780; entitled “Spiroheterocyclic N-​oxypiperidines as pesticides” having national phase equivalents

EP2369934; JP5662335; IN292378; US9067892; US9771365; IN201818002114;

Syngenta also filed some other method of use (MoU) patent (WO2011151146 & WO2014191271) on Spiropidion. Said international patent application is going to expire on May 12, 2031, and Oct 11, 2037, respectively.

Regulatory Updates:

The first global registration of a formulated product containing Spiropidion was obtained in Guatemala in September 2020, where the product will be marketed under the brand name ELESTAL® Neo in the coming months. Planned launches of Spiropidion containing formulations also include Paraguay and Pakistan in 2021, and Brazil in 2023 (pending registrations). In the European Union, regulatory submission is anticipated for 2022-2023. Future launches across a broad range of crops in more than 60 countries across all continents are expected in the next six years, with peak sales estimated above $400 million.