The Mistra programme
DOM — Domestication of micro-organisms
— has progressed to the point of looking for business partners.
One of the programme´s goals is to develop products, such as different types of pesticides, using micro-organisms. The programme is already in contact with a number of small businesses, and now it is looking toward collaboration with larger companies. “Several large multi-national companies have contacted us, and we are conducting discussions with them. We have competencies and results that are ready for further development in collaboration with the private sector, so that we can eventually present products that are viable on the commercial market," says Johan Schürer, DOM´s Programme Director. Registration process
We are developing products that improve growth and products that reduce damage that some traditional pesticides cause. The latter use microorganisms to break down chemicals (such as pesticides) after they've served their purpose, but before they cause environmental damage. The extensive registration process for approving traditional chemicals and new biotechnical products is a big problem today. There are different rules in different countries and regions, which makes the process expensive and time consuming. "In our case, this is about securing the micro-biotic product´s effectiveness and safety. That's why we need a commercial partner, with larger resources and more knowledge than what we have regarding commercialization and registration of products and finding their markets," says Lennart Arlinger, chairman of the board for DOM.
